Ballpark proposal background
Artists rendering of Escondido ballpark and surroundings.
Latest news: (scroll down for a complete list of news coverage)
Escondido ballpark is dead, says mayor; Moorad likely to sell
Court ruling eliminates funding source
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 30, 2011
Court kills redevelopment, jeopardizing many local projects
Would have funded Escondido ballpark
North County Times, December 30, 2011
State Supreme Court upholds abolition of redevelopment agencies
Los Angeles Times, December 29, 2011
Other background:
Read a related post “Stadium outcomes mixed: SD did well, others not”
Read the opinions of candidates for Mayor and City Council in this post.
Read the Environmental Impact Analysis of the recommended location (Caution, large PDF)
Text of Memorandum of Understanding between City of Escondido and North County Baseball, LLC (The Moorad Group)
Available as part of the agenda for the December 15, 2010 Council meeting. (Baseball info begins on page 246, the MOU begins on page 274.)
Watch the December 15 City Council meeting. (Caution: length exceeds four hours!)
See video of EDC’s Ballpark Pro & Con at our YouTube Channel.
Advertisements promoting the ballpark proposal
Chamber of Commerce ad promotes ballpark
Full-page letter from Padres CEO Jeff Moorad with Chamber endorsement resolution
North County Times, December 15, 2010
Newspaper editorials on the ballpark proposal
EDITORIAL: A ballpark in need of a savior
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 16, 2011
EDITORIAL: A late inning suggestion
Wouldn’t it make sense to have Cal State San Marcos play at Escondido ballpark?
North County Times, December 26, 2010
EDITORIAL: Play ball!
Escondido should take on Padres Triple-A ballpark plan
North County Times, December 12, 2010
EDITORIAL: Escondido’s ballpark decision
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 11, 2010
EDITORIAL: Ballpark holds promise for Escondido
Possibilities are worth imagining
North County Times, August 8, 2010
EDITORIAL: The Escondido Beavers
Ballpark for Padres’ farm team holds much promise
The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 22, 2010
Commentary on the ballpark proposal (most recent items at the top)
OPINION: Redevelopment given a welcome rebuke
Don’t be too sure agencies are really, truly dead
North County Times, January 8, 2012
OPINION: Leave Vader in the grave
North County cities will get along just fine without redevelopment agencies
North County Times, January 8, 2012
OPINION: Baseball in Escondido, Chapter 29
Shouldn’t other things be funded before spending $50 million on a ballpark?
North County Times, November 7, 2011
OPINION: With redevelopment up in the air, what are the odds for Escondido’s ballpark?
The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 15, 2011
OPINION: In the Escondido manner
John Van Doorn in North County Times, March 18, 2011
OPINION: Revelopment agencies the wrong places to cut
North County Times, March 8, 2011
OPINION: Escondido ballpark and fairgrounds sale may burn out from Brown-outs
The San Diego Union-Tribune, February 17, 2011
OPINION: Top stories of 2010 (see #7)
North County Times, January 1, 2011
HUMOR: Readers pitch into baseball name game
North County Times, December 28, 2010
OPINION: Fix the arts center and skip the minors
North County Times, December 19, 2010
HUMOR: It’s time to play the ballpark name game
North County Times, December 18, 2010
OPINION: To swing or not to swing?
Escondido faces a Triple A pitch over the heart of the plate
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 13, 2010
OPINION: Ballpark a potential homerun for Escondido
North County Times, December 12, 2010
OPINION: Connecting the Dots: Checkpoints and ICE Agents Do Not Make for an Enjoyable Evening at the Ballpark
El Grupo, December 10, 2010
OPINION: Attendance projections all vapor
North County Times, December 5, 2010
OPINION: California Center for Baseball, Escondido
North County Times, November 18, 2010
OPINION: Reaching the ninth inning on ballpark
Jeff Frank in North County Times, November 7, 2010
OPINION: Abed’s election is not the third strike against Triple-A ballpark
Logan Jenkins The San Diego Union-Tribune, November 6, 2010
OPINION: Escondido’s two big ideas
North County Times, October 15, 2010
OPINION: Escondido: Do Your Homework on the Portland Beavers
San Diego Reader, September 22, 2010
OPINION: Fish fiasco raises red flag (about proposed ballpark)
North County Times, September 2, 2010
OPINION: Dream, reality of a ballpark
Tom D’Agosta in North County Times, August 5, 2010
OPINION: Arts center shadow hangs over ballpark idea
The San Diego Union-Tribune, August 2, 2010
OPINION: A home run for Escondido
The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 27, 2010
OPINION: Watching history repeat itself
A columnist remembers baseball fever in Lake Elsinore in the 1990s
North County Times, July 25, 2010
OPINION: Ballpark offers city shot at ‘home run’
North County Times, July 25, 2010
OPINION: Ballpark idea has many holes
North County Times, July 25, 2010
News Coverage of the ballpark proposal (most recent items at the top)
Escondido ballpark is dead, says mayor; Moorad likely to sell
Court ruling eliminates funding source
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 30, 2011
Court kills redevelopment, jeopardizing many local projects
Would have funded Escondido ballpark
North County Times, December 30, 2011
State Supreme Court upholds abolition of redevelopment agencies
Los Angeles Times, December 29, 2011
Escondido: Tighten Your Rules
Choices, possible conflicts of interest, lack of transparency make deal seem questionable
San Diego Reader, November 30, 2011
State asserts power over redevelopment agencies
As creation of the legislature, the state claims it can change or dissolve them; supporters say voters prohibited that by passing Prop. 22 in 2010
Associated Press report in the Fresno Bee, November 10, 2010
Calif. Supreme Court to hear redevelopment case
Associated Press report in the Daily News, November 9, 2011
Padres owner presses Escondido for ballpark deal
Wants agreement in six weeks, can’t wait for court ruling on redevelopment funds
North County Times, November 6, 2011
Ballpark still has backers, detractors
Escondido has more time to secure plans to build home for Padres Triple-A team
The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 8, 2011
Ballpark revived by lawsuit, private sector help
Baseball league deadline; El Paso competition are obstacles
North County Times, August 26, 2011
Calif. high court to hear redevelopment fight
Associated Press story in the San Francisco Chronicle, August 11, 2011
Moorad to sell minor league team if ballpark deal dies
The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 20, 2011
State budget sinks city’s ballpark plan
North County Times, July 16, 2011
Gov. Jerry Brown signs laws to ax redevelopment agencies, collect taxes from online retailers
Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2011
Redevelopment pushed to brink, for real
Voice of San Diego, June 27, 2011
Legislature leaves redevelopment agencies in limbo
Associated Press story in North County Times, June 19, 2011
Mayor wants ballpark site to become technology business park
Change in direction prompted by legislative uncertainty
North County Times, April 27, 2011
Redevelopment reprieve revives ballpark proposal
But timeline compressed, numerous hurdles remain
North County Times, April 10, 2011
City’s ballpark negotiator rebuts ethics charges
Black says he left Padres board in 2005
North County Times, March 18, 2011
Council approves $92K ballpark payment despite ethics concern
City-hired negotiator sits on Padres’ board of directors
North County Times, March 14, 2011
City’s ballpark vote delayed indefinitely
Both sides still committed, but issues remain
North County Times, February 26, 2010
The Case for Why Redevelopment Must Go
Calbuzz blog, February 21, 2011
OPINION: Cities are going on a wild spending spree
Brown’s redevelopment proposal has caused a cash grab
CalWatchdog.com in North County Times, February 20, 2011
Jerry Brown’s plan to cut redevelopment agencies could sink Escondido, San Diego stadium plans
Escondido wants to build a minor league baseball park, and San Diego wants a new home for the NFL’s Chargers. Redevelopment funds would probably be needed to make either a reality.
Los Angeles Times, February 19, 2011
State budget casts doubt on Escondido ballpark
The San Diego Union-Tribune, February 15, 2011
State planners raise no issues with proposed ballpark
Responses to traffic concerns expected by March 2
North County Times, February 15, 2010
City laying claim to $20M in redevelopment cash
But officials can’t find loophole to finance ballpark
North County Times, February 7, 2010
Ballpark vote delayed to March 2
North County Times, February 3, 2010
City won’t rush bond sale for ballpark
Decision based on risks, doubt redevelopment will go away
North County Times, January 25, 2011
Accelerated bond sale could save proposed ballpark
City would protect redevelopment money from state takeaway
North County Times, January 19, 2011
North County agencies would suffer under budget plan
$12.5B in cuts would affect higher ed, economic development (including Escondido’s ballpark)
North County Times, January 11, 2011
Cities brace for redevelopment cuts
Escondido ballpark could be affected
North County Times, January 10, 2011
Ballpark fever prompts man to buy more than 100 related domain names
North County Times, January 8, 2011
Traffic concerns prompt greater scrutiny for ballpark
Project will require state review
North County Times, January 7, 2011
Residents mixed on ballpark proposal
Project excites many, but cost worries others
North County Times, December 24, 2010
Moorad purchases Oregon team
North County Times, December 21, 2010
Ballpark plan still faces many hurdles
City needs include land, $5 million from Moorad
North County Times, December 19, 2010
Cost to move bus yard could derail ballpark
Price might be $8.3M
North County Times, December 17, 2010
Council gives initial OK to ballpark deal
Members praise plan as catalyst for development
North County Times, December 16, 2010
Escondido council approves moving ahead with ballpark
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 16, 2010
Escondido Approves Minor League Baseball Stadium
Escondido City Council Voted 4-1 For Proposed Stadium For Padres Triple-A Affiliate Portland Beavers
KGVT-10 News, December 16, 2010
Should Escondido build a minor league ballpark?
“These Days” program on KPBS Radio, December 15, 2010
Moorad to talk ballpark with Rotarians
Chamber of Commerce endorses Escondido project
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 14, 2010
Will Escondido City Council swing for the fences?
The San Diego Reader, December 13, 2010
Critics, studies say ballpark boom unlikely
But supporters contend city in unique position
North County Times, December 12, 2010
Moorad proposal not first baseball pitch for city
Three other minor league teams flirted with city since 2005
North County Times, December 10, 2010
Padres group to run, maintain minor-league park
Escondido council to vote on memorandum of understanding next week
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 10, 2010
City, Moorad complete 47-page ballpark agreement
Council to vote on pact Dec. 15
North County Times, December 10, 2010
Crunch time for new Escondido ballpark
“the ballpark funding proposal was one of the most one-sided we’ve ever seen”
Ballpark Digest, December 6, 2010
Key early decision looms on Escondido ballpark
Council vote could keep plans for Padres’ Triple-A facility alive — or kill them
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 6, 2010
Ballpark would host concerts, amateur sports
City would get nine dates for civic events
North County Times, December 6, 2010
NCTD study key to ballpark proposal
Bus yard must be moved for project
North County Times, December 5, 2010
Dec. 9 public forum will focus on ballpark proposal
Council slated to vote on deal Dec. 15
North County Times, December 1, 2010
Ballpark investors make concessions
City would keep more land; costs would be capped
North County Times, November 26, 2010
Vote delayed on Escondido ballpark proposal
The San Diego Union-Tribune, November 18, 2010
Congestion on 78 will worsen with ballpark say San Marcos officials
Concerns also raised about response times, flooding, fireworks
North County Times, November 10, 2010
City wants concessions from Moorad
Election results will make ballpark deal less generous
North County Times, November 7, 2010
Triple-A team might stay longer than year; local officials pleased
Tucson offers open arms
Arizona Daily Star, November 5, 2010
Padres’ Triple-A team could play more than one season in Tucson
Arizona Daily Star, November 4, 2010
Ballpark proposal jeopardized by election results
Voters rejected project’s two biggest supporters
North County Times, November 4, 2010
Moorad buys Padres’ Triple-A team, plans temporary move to Tucson
North County Times, November 4, 2010
Early Escondido election returns show ballpark has public support
Supporters of proposal leading, opponents trailing
North County Times, November 3, 2010
Diaz, Abed question handling of ballpark property purchase
Lack of council input on ballpark-related deal criticized
North County Times, November 2, 2010
Candidate threatens injunction against property purchase
North County Times, October 31, 2010
Escondido Considers $50 million Minor League Ballpark
KPBS Radio, October 29, 2010
Escondido may buy part of ballpark land for $5 million
The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 29, 2010
Consultant says ballpark would spur major projects
Critics call predictions too optimistic
North County Times, October 28, 2010
Triple-A ballpark pitched as part of major complex in Escondido
The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 28, 2010
See streaming video of the workshop presentation Oct. 27.
Read the consultant’s report presented to the Council Oct. 27.
Critics complain ballpark a ‘done deal’
But city says site-clearing needed regardless
North County Times, October 27, 2010
‘Lame duck’ council could approve $50M ballpark
Timing of vote could allow Nov. 2 election losers to make decision
North County Times, October 24, 2010
Public workshop set for Oct. 27 on ballpark plans
Council approval scheduled for Nov. 30
North County Times, October 21, 2010
Spruce Street site chosen for proposed ballpark
Analysis calls traffic, other effects insignificant
North County Times, October 20, 2010
Location, details offered for minor league ballpark
Plan is for team to play in 9,000-seat Escondido venue in ’12
The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 20, 2010
San Diego Padres’ Triple-A club expected to relocate to Tucson for a year
AZcentral.com, October 16, 2010
Escondido City Councilmembers Excoriated as Ballpark Idea Entertained
San Diego Reader, October 16, 2010
Beavers sold, likely to play next year in Tucson
Merritt Paulson didn’t wait around for Escondido, Calif., to agree to build a new baseball stadium.
Portland Tribune, October 15, 2010
Portland Triple-A team sold to Padres owner
The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 15, 2010
Triple-A team owner confirms pending sale to Padres
Council ballpark vote delayed to Nov. 30
North County Times, October 15, 2010
Mounting debt prompts Swap Meet to file bankruptcy
Closure could clear land for ballpark-related development
North County Times, October 13, 2010
Ballpark vote delayed to Oct. 27
Officials blame soil problems, complex negotiations
North County Times, October 12, 2010
Residents discuss possible minor league ballpark
Project would require up to $60 million from city
North County Times, October 10, 2010
Escondido hears about Lake Elsinore’s ballpark experience
San Diego Reader, October 10, 2010
Forum will examine pros, cons of ballpark proposal
Critics, supporters will engage in first public debate
North County Times, October 9, 2010
Ballpark called risky, but loaded with potential
Moorad consultant tells chamber that team would draw 500,000 fans
North County Times, September 24, 2010
City will spend $373K on ballpark consultants
Council also praises plan to add jobs by rezoning land
North County Times, September 23, 2010
Escondido OKs $395,000 for Triple-A ballpark study
The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 23, 2010
Escondido council to consider Triple-A ballpark Wednesday
The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 21, 2010
Redevelopment revenue key to ballpark deal
Other debts make generating $50M difficult
North County Times, September 19, 2010
Would a ballpark pay for Escondido?
Officials study how other cities fared with makeovers
The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 13, 2010
Padres evaluating ballpark sites, property purchases
Extra land could bring collateral development council seeks
North County Times, September 12, 2010
Council candidates debate ballpark, pensions, city’s image
Pfeiler says facility would spark development
North County Times, September 2, 2010
Mayoral candidates clash on ballpark, pension reform, jobs
Forum draws nearly 100 people
North County Times, August 26, 2010
Padres seek clear signal on minor league park
Team hopes to close escrow on Triple-A team Dec. 1
North County Times, August 17, 2010
Crone, D’Agosta want ballpark built closer to downtown
City says idea has merit, but many hurdles exist
North County Times, August 15, 2010
Public support key to ballpark deal
Studies show project would spur significant development
North County Times, August 4, 2010
Logan Jenkins discusses the Escondido ballpark proposal
KPBS Radio, August 2, 2010
Tight timeline complicating city’s ballpark deal
Analysis of noise, traffic would be compressed
North County Times, July 29, 2010
Padres affiliate may be on move
Escondido, team in talks for minor league ballpark
The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 21, 2010
Escondido pulling ahead of San Marcos in ballpark pursuit
City proposing elaborate district around minor league facility
North County Times, July 7, 2010