Escondido Seeks Millions From Immigrants for New Ballpark

The City of Escondido hasn’t quite given up on building a new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacfic Coast League), as the city is now looking at the federal EB-5 program to raise funds.  Under the program, foreigners can be given permanent resident status if they invest at least $1 million in this country.  Read more here.

California Supreme Court Rules Against RDA’s

Local redevelopment agencies (RDAs) in California appear to be dead.  The California Supreme Court issued a ruling this morning saying that it was not unconstitutional for the state to eliminate RDAs.  This is bad news for the over 400 RDAs in California and the proposed new stadium in Escondido (CA) for the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League).  Read more here.  View ruling here.

Escondido Awaits Decision by High Court

The proposed new ballpark in Escondido (CA) for the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) remains on life support, in no small part because the city failed to act on a deal before the California Legislature passed bills that effectively eliminate local redevelopment agencies, unless municipalities make hundreds of millions in payments to the state.  A decision by the California Supreme Court on the

Moorad Extends Escondido Ballpark Deadline

San Diego Padres CEO Jeff Moorad has not given up on the proposed new ballpark in Escondido (CA) for the Triple-A Tuscon Padres (Pacific Coast League).  He has reportedly extended the deadline for the city to finalize plans on building the new stadium until at least mid-January.  Read more here.

Triple-A Padres to be Sold, If…

San Diego Padres CEO Jeff Moorad said that the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) will be sold at the end of this season, if a new ballpark deal is not finalized in Escondido or some other North County community.  Potential suitors mentioned for the club include folks in Tucson and a west Texas group willing to build a new ballpark for the team in El Paso.  Read more here.

Escondido Looking at Buying Land for Ballpark or Technology Park

The Escondido (CA) City Council is expected to consider this week the purchase of 4.5-acres of land next to the site for the proposed new ballpark for the Triple-A Tucson Padres.  The land could be used for collateral development if the stadium is built or for a new technology business park.  Read more here.

Escondido Mayor Says Ditch Ballpark for Technology Business Park

Because of uncertainty over the future of redevelopment agencies in California, Escondido (CA) Mayor Sam Abed is calling for the city to put the Triple-A baseball stadium project on hold and use the selected 15-acre ballpark site for a new technology business park.  Not everyone agrees.  Read more here.

Moorad to Unload Triple-A Padres, If No New Ballpark?

If the proposed new ballpark in Escondido (CA) for the Triple-A Tucson Padres falls through, new owner Jeff Moorad will apparently consider three options, including selling the team to one of the other suitors with whom former owner Merritt Paulson was negotiating, selling the team to a local group in Tucson, or finding another suburban San Diego market where a new stadium could be built.  Read more here.

Esconsido to Exercise Caution and Patience in Bond Sale for New Ballpark

The City of Escondido (CA) had been contemplating expediting the bond sale for the new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Tucson Padres (formerly Portland Beavers) to preempt a proposal by California Governor Jerry Brown to kill off redevelopment agencies in the state.  However, realizing that the governor’s proposal faces obstacles in the state legislature, the city believes there is no need to

Escondido May Sprint to Beat Brown

The City of Escondido (CA) is exploring the legality and risks of accelerating the borrowing of $50 million in redevelopment bonds for the proposed new ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres to get ahead of Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to abolish local economic redevelopment agencies in the Golden State.  Read more here.

Escondido Gives Preliminary Approval to Ballpark Plan

The Escondido (CA) City Council voted last night to give initial approval to build a new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres.  However, the plan will have to be tweaked a little before final approval is given in February.  Read more here.

Escondido, Moorad Complete Ballpark MoU

The City of Escondido (CA) and San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad have completed a 47-page memorandum of understanding that outlines the deal for the development of a $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres.  The city council is scheduled to vote on the agreement on Dec. 15.  Read more here.

Public Forums Scheduled Before Big Vote

San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad has scheduled three public forums next week to discuss the ballpark deal that would bring the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres to Escondido (CA).  The forums are scheduled for  Dec. 9, 10, and 11.  The city council is scheduled to vote Dec. 15 on the proposal, which requires the city to spend $50 million in redevelopment funds to build a new ballpark.  Read more here.

Election Throws Wrench into Escondido Ballpark Plan

Tuesday’s election could put the Econdido ballpark proposal in jeopardy.  Ballpark opponent Ed Gallo won a seat on the city council, and two big supporters of the project, Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler and Councilman Dick Daniels, lost their seats.  Read more here.

Toros Take a Break

The Golden Baseball League’s Tucson Toros announced on Monday that the franchise will go on hiatus for the 2011 season to make room for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Toros owner Jay Zucker was interested in operating the Beavers, but he was apparently rebuffed by the team’s ownership.  Zucker said the Toros have lost more than $1 million over the past two seasons operating in Tucson.  Read more here.

Site Chosen for Escondido Ballpark, Enviro Study Released

The City of Escondido (CA) has selected a 15.3 acre site on North Spruce Street for the proposed new 9,000-seat Triple-A ballpark for the relocated Portland (OR) Beavers.  The city also released a $223,000, 86-page environmental study that gives the project a feasible green light.  The Beavers will play temporarily in Tucson (AZ) for the 2011 season.  View aerial and read more here and here.

Beavers Sold, Team to Play in Tucson in 2011

The Triple-A Portland Beavers have been sold to San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad.  The team will play the 2011 season in Tucson (AZ) and move into a new $50 million ballpark in Escondido (CA) in 2012, provided the project is approved.  Read more here.

Vote on Escondido Ballpark Delayed for Two Weeks

The discovery polluted soil and other issues have led the Escondido City Council to delay until Oct. 27 a  vote to approve a memorandum of understanding between the city and San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad to build a new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Read more here.

Forum Today to Discuss Escondido Ballpark

Supporters and opponents of a proposed new $50 million Triple-A ballpark in Escondido (CA) will discuss/debate the issue at an open Democratic Club forum today.  Fans of the project have also launched a new site at www.ballparkforescondido.org.  View ballpark PowerPoint presentation here.  Read more here.  Post-meeting update.

Consultant: Escondido Ballpark Would Draw 500,000

The consultant for San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad believes that a new Escondido (CA) ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers would draw 500,000 fans each year.  He also said that spending $20 million to secure the franchise and $50 million for the ballpark has its risks, but the potential for success at the gate and collateral development is substantial.  Read more here.

Consideration of New Escondido Ballpark on Agenda for Wednesday

The Escondido (CA) City Council is expected on Wednesday to review a proposal for a new ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Read more here.

Padres Look to Hitch Ballpark Pitch to Economic Development

In order to give reluctant Econondido (CA) City Council members confidence that spending $50 million on a new Triple-A ballpark for the Portland Beavers would and could spur collateral economic development, the investment group led by San Diego Padres owners Jeff Moorad is exploring the purchase of properties around the four potential ballpark sites for a district of shops and restuarants.  Read more here.

Editorial Smacks Leadership in Portland for Loss of Beavers

The Oregonian takes a few shots at Portland Mayor Sam Adams and works to dispel the falsehoods surrounding efforts to save the Triple-A Portland Beavers, as the club prepares to play its likely final game in the Rose City this afternoon at PGE Park.  Read more here.

Candidates: Build New Escondido Ballpark Downtown

Jim Crone and Tom D’Agosta, a pair of local businessmen who are running for Escondido (CA) City Council, have presented a comprehensive plan to build a new home for the Triple-A Portland Beavers in downtown Econdido, rather than the proposed industrial site a few blocks north of downtown that is conveniently located near two freeways and a rail line.  Read more here.

Newspaper: Escondido Ballpark ‘Well Worth Pursuing’

The North County Times has endorsed a proposed plan to build a new $45 million stadium to bring the Triple-A Portland Beavers to Escondido (CA).  Read more here.

Carlsbad and San Marcos Out, Clock Now Ticking for Escondido

The City of Escondido just north of San Diego is now on the clock for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Indeed, it will take some heavy lifting to get a ballpark deal done.  Reportedly the Pacific Coast League has given the Beavers permission to play next season at the home of the Single-A Lake Elsinore Storm, but a new Econdido ballpark must open by the 2012 season.  Read more here.

Deal for New Escondido Ballpark for Beavers Close at Hand

The Triple-A Portland Beavers could be on their way to Escondido (CA) within the next two years, if the city 30 miles north of Petco Park agrees to build a new $45 million, 9,000-seat stadium to house the team.  A memorandum of understanding on the deal is expected to be signed soon by an ownership group led by San Diego Padres CEO Jeff Moorad.  Read more here.