A redevelopment of the current site of Candlestick Park and its surrounding neighborhood “would bring in a 3,000- to 4,000-seat amphitheater, new streets, homes, a movie theater, a shopping district and about 360 acres of parkland over the next 15 to 20 years,” according to Greg Bensinger of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The redevelopment is “projected to cost roughly” $8.5B in public and private funds. Lennar Bay Area Urban Division President Kofi Bonner is “seeking tenants for the shopping district and hopes to woo a WNBA team or the San Francisco Bulls minor league hockey team.” There is “some uncertainty about when much of the work can begin" at Candlestick Park. It is unclear when the 49ers will officially leave, as "another postseason run in the coming season could extend that period by a few months.” The team also will “have to be satisfied its stadium in Santa Clara is ready” for the ‘14 NFL season. S.F. Recreation & Park Department GM Phil Ginsburg said that if the new stadium “isn't ready in time, the 49ers could opt to stay for more games or even a full season instead of moving out" following the ‘13 season. He added that the department is “still deciding whether to schedule special events, such as concerts, flea markets and truck rallies before the stadium is ultimately demolished.” Meanwhile, Bonner said that it is “undecided” whether Candlestick Park “would be imploded or taken down beam by beam.” He added that he “hopes the stadium could be demolished” in late ’14. Also upcoming is a “city-run auction of seats, signs, lockers and other memorabilia from Candlestick” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/7).
PLAYING NICE WITH OTHERS: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area’s Jim Kozimor noted S.F. Mayor Ed Lee after years of trying to get the 49ers to stay in the city “is now endorsing the 49ers stadium down in Santa Clara.” Kozimor: "What is he, a turncoat or something?” CSNBayArea.com’s Andy Dolich said, “If you look at the Super Bowl, which the Niners are going to host, it’s the entire Bay Area.” Dolich: “That’s good because as you look forward to bigger events, maybe the Olympics in 2024. We don’t really play that well in the Bay Area … so for somebody to kind of go across county lines, literally, I think it’s a positive” ("Chronicle Live," Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 3/6)
