PETCO PARK

A Ballpark for San Diego

“A Ballpark for San Diego” was the Padres vision for a new paradigm in sports facility design that would make a dramatic architectural statement and provide a "signature" structure for San Diego to be the centerpiece of a new downtown neighborhood.

Opened in 2004, PETCO Park is the home of the San Diego Padres and the cornerstone of a lively urban Ballpark District. This 42,500-seat Major League Baseball facility combines contemporary design with historical preservation and reflects the unique spirit of San Diego with its open-air concourses, “garden buildings” and a beautifully landscaped public park beyond the outfield wall.

For its stunning architecture, excellence in engineering and construction, groundbreaking efforts in urban planning and historic preservation, and extraordinary achievements in accessibility, environmental operations and more, PETCO Park has received nearly thirty prestigious awards. It is indeed a beautiful ballpark that also works beautifully for fans, families, and the broader community.

PETCO PARK

A Catalyst for Development

PETCO Park fulfilled the promise that it would be “More than a Ballpark.” It is the catalyst for a thriving downtown Ballpark District, anchoring one of the largest redevelopment projects in U.S. history. This landmark project transformed San Diego’s East Village, a chronically underutilized warehouse district where 70% of the land was either vacant or used only for surface parking or outdoor storage, into a vibrant live-work-play community and year-round visitor destination. The previously blighted neighborhood has quickly turned from a tax drain to a tax gain for the City of San Diego. Ancillary development projects completed, underway or planned in the Ballpark’s surrounding 60-block area will result in 8,300 new homes, 1.3 million square feet of commercial space, 1,200 hotel rooms and more than 3,600 parking spaces. Private development investment within this area is projected to exceed $4 billion in the near term -- a significant return on the initial $301 million public investment in the Ballpark and associated infrastructure.

PETCO Park is an award-winning model for building sports/entertainment facilities that successfully stimulate development of the surrounding neighborhoods and provide a return on investment to all parties.

PETCO PARK

A New Approach to Planning

The keys to the success of PETCO Park and the larger Ballpark District stem from an early commitment and unwavering adherence to planning the Ballpark and associated development to complement, stimulate and reinforce each other. The character of the neighborhood and how the Ballpark would be integrated into it and connected to it were also vital considerations in the desire to create an active community for residents, workers and visitors alike. Additionally, the Ballpark and surrounding mixed-use development, including public spaces, would need to be points of pride for the community. This careful and thorough planning process produced an urban plan that reflects both sound business and real estate principles and responsive public policy.

The ultimate result of this diligent effort is a state-of-the-art ballpark in a dynamic urban neighborhood. PETCO Park underscores the value of a comprehensive planning and design process and a management model that ensures high standards, cost efficiency and meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the project.

PETCO PARK

A Public-Private Partnership

A cooperative public-private partnership, beginning with a shared vision and the crafting of agreements and strategies to effectively implement it, was the foundation of success for this challenging project. The City of San Diego and their downtown redevelopment agency, Center City Development Corporation, were essential partners working in concert with the Padres and their private development partners. A strong coalition of business, labor and civic organizations was also forged to support the project. The key agreement that defined the project and the responsibilities of the parties was approved by nearly 60 percent of San Diego voters in 1998.

The $294 million Ballpark, owned 70% by the City and 30% by the Padres, was part of a $474 million project, including land and infrastructure. Public funding accounted for $301 million and the Padres were responsible for the remaining $173 million. Moreover, the Padres and their partners were obligated to develop a minimum of $311 million of new retail, residential and commercial projects in the new Ballpark District. “A Ballpark for San Diego” was truly a public-private partnership, with all stakeholders fully engaged in the process. PETCO Park continues to exceed expectations set very high by both the public and private sectors, and its surrounding development reaches new heights every day.

PETCO PARK

A Homerun For All

PETCO Park is an unqualified homerun for the City, the Padres and for the San Diego community! It is a powerful economic stimulus for revitalizing a neglected section of downtown and is the key to the long-term health, stability and competitiveness of the Padres. Attendance for baseball games at PETCO Park exceeded three million in 2004, with record-breaking crowds cheering the Padres on to back-to-back National League West Division Champion titles in 2005 and 2006. The venue also holds numerous other public events, including the inaugural World Baseball Classic, a USA Sevens rugby tournament, an international soccer match and a Rolling Stones concert to date. Additionally, the Park-at-the-Park hosts free family-oriented activities, such as holiday festivals and movie nights, while serving as a year-round neighborhood park.

PETCO Park changed the face of “America’s Finest City” and is a community asset for all who live, work and play in San Diego to enjoy.