The plan to build a Padres ballpark on top of a working
shipping terminal "has been declared dead," according to
Millican & Bloom on the front-page of Saturday's SAN DIEGO
UNION-TRIBUNE. Port Commissioners will officially "pull the
plug" on the $1B concept, which was proposed by area
developer Richard Chase, at their meeting Tuesday. However
the group is "considering authorizing a study" of an
alternative idea for a Port District ballpark. Therefore,
if the city's "preferred location for a ballpark, Centre
City East, doesn't work out, the port could step in with its
site." But Port Commissioner Susan Lew said that "even the
alternative plan has its pitfalls," in that it would still
mean a "negative impact on maritime business." Padres Owner
John Moores, who said that he "never had faith in the Chase
proposal," added that he "expected opposition to the
alternative plan" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/25).
COMMUNITY OPINION: The Padres conducted their second
"California Dreamin'" session last week, hearing suggestions
for a new ballpark from county residents. More than 125
suggestions were committed to paper during the two-hour
meeting (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/25).
