The 49ers polled residents of San Francisco over the
weekend to see how much money, "if any," taxpayers are
willing to pay for a new stadium, according to Edward
Epstein of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The polling "is the latest
phase in the 49ers' extensive behind-the-scenes preparation
for going to San Francisco voters in the June 3 special
election." The survey was conducted by Corey, Canapary and
Galanis Research, which polled 500 registered voters. The
survey put the cost of the proposed 75,000-seat stadium at
$300M and polled voters about three possible ballot
initiatives, including a bond measure, a charter amendment
that would allow the use of public lands for a new stadium
and commercial complex and another charter amendment calling
for "partial public financing" of the stadium by using
existing revenues dedicated to Candlestick or from the new
commercial center. No money from the city general fund
would be used. The survey also offered details on the
sports-retail-entertainment complex that would be built in
the parking lots surrounding the existing Candlestick Park.
It would be privately developed by 49ers Owner Edward
Debartolo Jr. and the Mills Corp., a builder of shopping
malls, and include a 30-screen movie theater complex, "a
host" of large stores, specialty shops, restaurants and
parking. Epstein notes the complex would probably include a
restaurant "with a 49ers theme" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/25).
