Letter From the 49ers

Dear 49ers Faithful,

A lot has happened since we launched this Web site to help us stay directly connected with you about our efforts to build a new world-class NFL stadium in the Bay Area by 2012. 

In February, the San Francisco 49ers began a feasibility study with the City of Santa Clara to determine if we could develop a stadium plan that would work for both the team and the City. Over the past few months, we have had many positive meetings with civic, business and community leaders. We have also had the privilege of presenting aspects of our plan in public meetings in front of the City Council and hundreds of citizens. On each occasion, City Council members voted unanimously to move forward and study the plan in greater detail:

• We presented a design for both the stadium itself and a conceptual site plan, centered on what is currently a large parking area for the Great America theme park. You can see artist renderings of the stadium design on this Web site. We think you’ll agree that this stadium will provide the best fan experience in the league, with outstanding sight lines, great access and the right amenities for all of our fans.

• The team presented the City with an economic impact report, prepared by the respected firm of Conventions, Sports & Leisure International. The conclusion of the report is that building a new stadium in Santa Clara will pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the regional economy each year, support more than 2,200 new jobs, and deliver millions in new tax revenues to local and state coffers.

• The 49ers also presented a preliminary proposal for financing the stadium. That proposal calls for more than 80%of the $854 million cost of building the stadium to come from the team and from revenues generated by the stadium itself. We have asked the City of Santa Clara to consider a capped equity investment of $160 million (18.7 percent) to help construct the stadium. The team has pledged to cover all cost overruns from construction of the stadium, and its ongoing operations for 49ers games. In return, the City would own and operate the stadium, which would potentially generate millions of dollars a year in cash flow to the City's general fund from 49er games and other events.

• In addition to the financing proposal, we also developed a parking and traffic study to show how easy it will be for fans to access the new stadium by public transit or car. Because of the outstanding access to several freeways and public transportation options near the site, our traffic engineers concluded that fans will be able to leave the stadium 40% faster than at Monster Park.

At the start of this process, we pledged that the stadium would be financed without touching the City of Santa Clara's general fund or raising taxes. Our commitment today remains the same.

We hope you will continue to visit this Web site often to find out not only how we are progressing, but how you can help. The 49ers want to continue our six decade tradition of championship football right here in the Bay Area. Your active participation is vital to our success.

As always, we thank you for your continued support.

Best,

Denise and John York
Owners
San Francisco 49ers