1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to strongly oppose Councilmember Elo-Rivera’s continued threats and antagonistic posture toward the Padres and Petco Park operations. Petco Park is not just a baseball stadium. It is an economic anchor for East Village, downtown businesses, property owners, tourism, hospitality workers, and future redevelopment. The San Diego Regional EDC’s 2026 Petco Park Economic Impact Report found that Petco Park and Gallagher Square supported approximately 15,000 jobs, generated $1.48 billion in regional economic activity, and contributed more than $16.4 million to the City’s General Fund. Threatening to withhold expense-sharing partnerships or politicize routine Petco Park operations is a direct threat to the public-private trust that helped transform East Village. It also sends the wrong message to investors, small businesses, hotels, restaurants, and residents who depend on downtown’s continued recovery and growth. San Diego should debate budgets responsibly, but attacking one of the city’s most successful redevelopment assets is short-sighted and economically harmful. The Padres’ success and Petco Park’s vitality help support city revenues, jobs, tourism, and neighborhood investment. Please move boldly to put this issue to rest at Council. San Diego should protect the Petco Park partnership, ensure operational stability, and focus on strengthening—not undermining—East Village’s economic future. Sincerely,