The Dark Stadium

Santa Clara City Council says they want to invest in the "entertainment district" on the north side of town. But in fact, they are looking to burn over $2900 per SC resident to subsidize a stadium that -- best case -- will be completely dark 330 days a year. That's a black hole the size of Milpitas (population: 63,000, vs. Proposed Stadium Occupancy: 68,500), most suited to attracting undesirable elements looking for a shadow in which to do an illicit deal.

If Santa Clara City Council really wants to make an investment in the entertainment district, shouldn't they actively solicit other proposals? And if they want to make this a sound investment, shouldn't they consider a well-diversified portfolio of investments, rather than a single all-or-nothing boat anchor of a deal?

And if City Council wants this investment to help sustain the city as a great place to live, shouldn't they try to augment the current big-box entertainment venues with more human scale developments, encouraging people to get out of their cars and spend all their entertainment dollars in the district -- rather than only within the fortress of the "Naming Rights" Stadium?

Santa Clara City Council need look no further than Mountain View's Castro St., Sunnyvale's Murphy St., Santa Cruz's Pacific Avenue or even Milpitas' Great Mall to see great examples of diversified entertainment districts that enhance the community without putting all the City's eggs in one basket.