SAN FRANCISCO —In November of last year, the San Francisco 49ers announced plans to focus on Santa Clara as a site for a new stadium.  

The city of Santa Clara is positive about the  plans.  As stated by Santa Clara City Council Member Kevin Moore: “The 49ers have trained here for over a decade, and they feel like a part of the community already,” adding that, “We are excited to have the 49ers in Santa Clara .  They are a prestigious team and they would be another diamond for our entertainment area.”

One of the main advantages the Santa Clara site has is its accessibility.  In regards to the accessibility of the site, Mr. Moore said, “The location is outstanding with all of its transportation options.  There’s no place with access like this in the Bay area.  It will be good for fans’ experience.”  

Steve Fine, Senior Communications Supervisor for the 49ers, also mentions the benefit for the experience for fans, “It has great access for fans and the public transit allows people from Sacramento , San Francisco , and the South Bay area easy access.”

Michele Ryan, the chair of Santa Clara Plays Fair, gives a presentation comparing the projected costs of the residents of Santa Clara in the event the 49ers move into the city with the costs to residents from other cities in which stadiums have been built. (Photo courtesy of Santa Clara Plays Fair)

However, not all are excited about the move.  On October 22, the formation of the organization Santa Clara Plays Fair (SCPF) was announced at Santa Clara Main Public Library.  According to their website, they are “a grass-roots coalition of Santa Clara citizens and interested organizations who oppose the City of Santa Clara ’s subsidy of a stadium for the San Francisco 49ers.”

They believe that building the stadium will cost the city more than it will benefit, and that the money that would be used for the stadium should instead be used in ways that would more directly benefit the residents such as affordable housing, investing in industries that would provide well paying jobs for residents, and rebuilding Santa Clara’s emergency relief fund.

Keeping the stadium in San Francisco is still an option being looked into.

According to Mr. Fine, “We are still in discussion with San Francisco on potential locations.  We are looking at Hunter’s point, close to Monster Park .”

Mr. Fine also mentioned three hurdles to making the stadium at Hunter’s Point: “First, it used to be a naval shipyard, and there is some environmental contamination that would have to be cleaned up.  There is also little infrastructure in the area, which would have to be built.  Also, we need to come up with a finance plan.  There is one already in place for Santa Clara , but we would have to make one for San Francisco .”

Mr. Moore also commented on San Francisco ’s efforts to keep the 49ers in San Francisco , stating that the efforts are “fantastic,” and adding that, “ San Francisco should do what they can to keep the site as an option.”

But regardless of whether their stadium is in San Francisco or Santa Clara , they will continue to be the beloved San Francisco 49ers.  As Mr. Moore made clear, if the 49ers do end up moving to Santa Clara , “We’re going to keep the name San Francisco 49ers.”