Hedgecock: Qualcomm site proposal should be rejected

Hedgecock: Qualcomm site proposal should be rejected

Guest Column May 11, 2017 Guest Column 10 Comments

Guest Commentary

by Roger Hedgecock

https://sdrostra.com/guest-column/hedgecock-qualcomm-site-proposal-rejected/

Background: A group of hedge fund investors have written an initiative which, if approved by San Diego voters, would give the investors development rights for 216 acres of city-owned land at Qualcomm Stadium and the former Chargers training facility. They propose mixed-use development of the Qualcomm site that would include retail, offices, hotels and a soccer stadium.

The FS Investors proposal to intensely overdevelop the Qualcomm stadium site is a scandalous giveaway of public land while excluding public participation.

Voters should reject it.

The San Diego median home price is nearing $600,000. FS wants to take control of 216 acres of prime publicly owned land and they want to pay taxpayers as little as $10,000 for it.

FS proposes to construct 4,800 residential units, 2.4 million square feet of office space, a shopping center, two hotels, and a stadium.

The traffic impacts from this over-development would be twice Charger game day traffic every day. Every day.

By the terms of the initiative ballot measure they wrote, FS is not required to substantially improve any street or highway to mitigate the permanent traffic gridlock their over-development would create in Mission Valley and surrounding neighborhoods.

If approved by City voters in November, this massive over-development will be locked in with no Environmental Impact Report, no mitigation of adverse environmental effects, no public hearings, and no possibility of amendment.

Normally, initiatives can be amended by a subsequent initiative. But here, the Development Agreement that is part of the FS ballot measure prevents any subsequent initiative from amending theirs.

If the FS initiative passes in November, we are stuck with it as is forever.

“Side agreements” like the full funding of the River Park announced by the Mayor are not part of the initiative and are not legally binding on FS if the ballot
measure is passed.

There’s a better way to redevelop this last big parcel of public land; a better
way that has worked before.

When the Naval Training Center in Point Loma was closed and the land reverted to the City, an open bid process drew development proposals from all over the country.

After thorough environmental review, City staff analysis, numerous public hearings and intense media scrutiny, a much-modified proposal, including traffic improvements, was approved by the City Council and became the now widely praised Liberty Station.

But now big money special interests are lining up to support what FS calls “the new way of development”.

This “new way” exempts FS from environmental review, presents a take it or leave it ballot measure that makes drastic changes to zoning and community plans without public input or City Council review or approval.

Many powerful voices in our City have not yet been heard on this FS proposal.

FS pretends to include San Diego State’s interest in campus expansion and a football stadium for the Aztecs. The FS plan does not include either interest and SDSU knows it.

Community Planning Groups in neighborhoods in and around the Qualcomm site are just now studying the real impacts of the FS proposal behind and beyond the bright shiny promises FS is making.

The Chamber of Commerce is rightfully supportive of business, but can’t ignore the consequences of this public land giveaway and end run around protections against over-development of Mission Valley.

Likewise, organized labor should oppose this public land giveaway to Wall Street insiders, especially since only about 10 percent of the project goes to union jobs. The San Diego Democratic Party waits for Labor’s decision.

The Republican Party should also oppose this initiative, but some folks there are tempted by the prospect of the big money behind this ballot measure propelling the Mayor into a 2018 Governor’s race.

But the most powerful voice to be heard is yours. Your vote will determine the future of this precious public asset.

Some voters are dazzled now by the promise of Major League Soccer rising from the ashes of the Charger departure.

By November, I believe most voters will see this proposal for what it really is — a giveaway of public land to a politically connected private development group intent on using the ballot box to grab the stadium site forever, pay nearly nothing for it, and avoid all the protections against over-development in already crowded Mission Valley.

Qualcomm Stadium

Qualcomm Stadium was the home stadium for the San Diego Chargers.

Note: Alex G. Spanos is the owner of the San Diego Chargers, and was a major donor for the Progress for America Voter Fund.

E. Floyd Kvamme was a major donor for the Progress for America Voter Fund, and is a partner emeritus for Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

Albert A. Gore Jr. is a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and is the chairman for the Climate Reality Project.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Climate Reality Project, the Harlem Children's Zone, and the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, Gavin Newsom & Nancy Pelosi were invited to his 2013 wedding reception, is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, and is the co-chair, national finance council for the Ready PAC.  

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank), and the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Brent Scowcroft was a director at the Climate Reality Project, the vice chairman for Kissinger Associates, Inc., is the chair, international advisory board for the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank), a director at Qualcomm Inc., a friend of Henry A. Kissinger.

Henry A. Kissinger is a friend of Brent Scowcroft & Michael R. Bloomberg, the founder of Kissinger Associates, Inc., a director at the Atlantic Council of the United States (think tank), a director at the American Friends of Bilderberg (think tank), was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc. a co-founder for Kissinger McLarty Associates, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

Michael R. Bloomberg is a friend of Henry A. Kissinger, the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety, was a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, and a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc.

Everytown for Gun Safety is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.

Irwin Mark Jacobs is an advisory board member for Everytown for Gun Safety, the founder for Qualcomm Inc, and was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Qualcomm Inc. was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a director at the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and Qualcomm Inc. paid her speaker fees.

Don Garber was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, a director at the United States Soccer Foundation, and is the commissioner for Major League Soccer.

Sunil Gulati was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, and is a director at the United States Soccer Foundation.

Qualcomm Stadium was the home stadium for the San Diego Chargers.

Doug Flutie was a player for the San Diego Chargers, and a player for the Chicago Bears.

Sean Payton was a quarterback for the Chicago Bears, and a football team assistant coach for San Diego State University (SDSU).

Patrick G. Ryan is the minority owner of the Chicago Bears, Patrick G. Ryan Jr’s father, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Commercial Club of Chicago, Members Directory A-Z (Past Research)

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

http://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/12/commercial-club-of-chicago-members.html

Patrick G. Ryan Jr. is Patrick G. Ryan’s son, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Kathleen L. Brown is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, California governor Jerry Brown’s sister, and was a treasurer for the California state government.

Jerry Brown is Kathleen L. Brown’s brother, the California state government governor, and was a chairman for the California Democratic Party.

Nancy Pelosi was a chairman for the California Democratic Party, invited to George Soros’s 2013 wedding reception, and is the speaker for the California (CA) congressional delegation.

CA congressional delegation is a delegation for the State of California.

California state government is the government for the State of California.

Gavin Newsom is the lieutenant governor for the California state government, and was invited to George Soros’s 2013 wedding reception.

Kamala D. Harris was an attorney general for the California state government, an advisory board member for the Truman National Security Project, and is an advisory board member for the Truman Center for National Policy.

Gabrielle Giffords is an advisory board member for the Truman National Security Project, an advisory board member for the Truman Center for National Policy, and a co-founder for the Americans for Responsible Solutions.

Americans for Responsible Solutions is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.

Michael R. Bloomberg was a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc., a friend of Henry A. Kissinger, and the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety.

Don Garber was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, a director at the United States Soccer Foundation, and is the commissioner for Major League Soccer.

Everytown for Gun Safety is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.

Irwin Mark Jacobs is an advisory board member for Everytown for Gun Safety, the founder for Qualcomm Inc, and was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Qualcomm Inc. was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a director at the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and Qualcomm Inc. paid her speaker fees.

Thomas F. McLarty III was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, a co-founder for Kissinger McLarty Associates, and is the president of McLarty Associates.

Kissinger McLarty Associates was the former name of McLarty Associates.

Antonio R. Villaraigosa is a counselor for McLarty Associates, was a member of the California State Assembly, a Los Angeles (CA) mayor, and a member of the Los Angeles (CA) City Council.

Stuart E. Eizenstat is a counselor for McLarty Associates, and a senior counsel at Covington & Burling LLP.

Alan P. Larson is a counselor for McLarty Associates, and an international policy adviser for Covington & Burling LLP.

Eric H. Holder Jr. is a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, and an outside counsel for the California state government.

Covington & Burling LLP is the lobby firm for Qualcomm Inc., and was the lobby firm for the Americans for Responsible Solutions.

Americans for Responsible Solutions is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.

Michael R. Bloomberg was a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc., a friend of Henry A. Kissinger, and the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety.

Don Garber was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, a director at the United States Soccer Foundation, and is the commissioner for Major League Soccer.

Everytown for Gun Safety is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.

Irwin Mark Jacobs is an advisory board member for Everytown for Gun Safety, the founder for Qualcomm Inc, and was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Qualcomm Inc. was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a director at the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, Qualcomm Inc. paid her speaker fees, and the candidate for the 2016 Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign.

Ready PAC supported the 2016 Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign.

George Soros is the co-chair, national finance council for the Ready PAC.

Daniel M. Neidich was a contributor for the Ready PAC, a fundraiser for the 2016 Hillary Rodham Clinton presidential campaign, and is a trustee at the Urban Land Institute.

Urban Land Institute (ULI)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_Land_Institute

The Urban Land Institute, or ULI, is a nonprofit research and education organization with offices in Washington, D.C., Hong Kong, London, and Frankfurt. Its stated mission is "to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide".[1] ULI advocates progressive development, conducting research, and education in topics such as sustainability, smart growth, compact development, place making, and workforce housing.

The ULI was founded in 1936 and currently has 40,000 members. More than 20% of the members work in government, academia, or public-private partnerships. Most of the rest are involved in the real estate and urban development industries.

ULI states that it produces publications and regular research "that anticipates emerging land use trends and issues, proposing creative solutions based on that research" and "imparts knowledge to help the development community continuously improve its performance."[2]

ULI also maintains a number of initiatives and programs, including a respected advisory services program that provides government, businesses, and nonprofits with strategic advice on real estate development and urban policy issues. For more than 20 years, ULI has assembled a Real Estate School,[3] designed to provide professional development skills to land use practitioners. ULI also hosts regular events, including local district council meetings,[4] its annual Fall Meeting,[5] and Spring Council Forum.[6]

The organization's current president and CEO, Patrick Phillips, is the former president of ERA AECOM. He replaced Richard Rosan, who served as the organization's president and CEO for 17 years.[7] ULI employs several research vice presidents, including president and chief executive officer of the ULI Foundation, Kathleen B. Carey (formerly of GE Capital Real Estate);[8] chief marketing and membership officer, Adam J. Smolyar (formerly of Savills Studley);[9] chief executive officer of the Americas, Jeanne R. Myerson (principal at The Belgrave Group);[10] executive vice president of member networks for the Americas, Stephanie S. Wasser;[11] and executive director of the ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing, Stockton Williams.[12]

ULI's Europe office is led by chief executive Lisette van Doorn, who previously worked for LIRE and CBRE Global Investors.[13] In addition, John Fitzgerald is the chief executive of ULI's Asia Pacific office located in Hong Kong.

CBRE Group

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/cbre-group#/entity

CBRE Group, Inc. is a holding company that conducts all of its operations through its indirect subsidiaries. The Company is a commercial real estate services firm. As of December 31, 2011, it operated approximately 300 offices worldwide, providing commercial real estate services under the CBRE brand name, investment management services under the CBRE Global Investors brand name and development services under the Trammell Crow brand name. CBRE Services, Inc., its direct wholly owned subsidiary, is also a holding company and is the primary obligor or issuer with respect to most of its long-term indebtedness. The Company operates in five segments: Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, Global Investment Management and Development Services. In March 2014, the Company acquired VALTEQ Gesellschaft mbH and its subsidiaries.

Richard C. Blum was a chairman for the CBRE Group, Inc., is a board member for the Haas School of Business, an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a regent at the University of California, and married to California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Haas School of Business is a business school at the University of California, Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley is a University of California campus.

Laura D'Andrea Tyson is a professor at the Haas School of Business, a director at the CBRE Group, Inc., and was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

CBRE Group, Inc. acquired the Trammell Crow Company.

Frederic V. Malek is a director at the CBRE Group, Inc, and a member of the Alfalfa Club.

Dianne Feinstein is a member of the Alfalfa Club, married to Richard C. Blum, a Senator for the California (CA) congressional delegation.

Michael R. Bloomberg is a member of the Alfalfa Club, a friend of Henry A. Kissinger, the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety, was a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, and a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc.

Don Garber was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, a director at the United States Soccer Foundation, and is the commissioner for Major League Soccer.

CA congressional delegation is a delegation for the State of California.

California state government is the government for the State of California.

Gavin Newsom is the lieutenant governor for the California state government, and was invited to George Soros’s 2013 wedding reception.

Kamala D. Harris was an attorney general for the California state government, an advisory board member for the Truman National Security Project, and is an advisory board member for the Truman Center for National Policy.

Gabrielle Giffords is an advisory board member for the Truman National Security Project, an advisory board member for the Truman Center for National Policy, and a co-founder for the Americans for Responsible Solutions.

Americans for Responsible Solutions is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.

Michael R. Bloomberg was a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc., is a friend of Henry A. Kissinger, and the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety.

Don Garber was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, a director at the United States Soccer Foundation, and is the commissioner for Major League Soccer.

Everytown for Gun Safety is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.

Irwin Mark Jacobs is an advisory board member for Everytown for Gun Safety, the founder for Qualcomm Inc, and was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Qualcomm Inc. was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a director at the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and Qualcomm Inc. paid her speaker fees.

Richard C. Blum was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, the chairman for the CBRE Group, Inc., a board member for the Haas School of Business, an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a regent at the University of California, and married to California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Dianne Feinstein is married to Richard C. Blum, a Senator for the California (CA) congressional delegation, and a member of the Alfalfa Club.

George H.W. Bush is a member of the Alfalfa Club, and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

FS Investors

http://fsinvestors.com/team.htm 

Michael R. Stone
Mike is the Founder and Managing Member of FS Investors. He was Founder and non-executive Chairman of J.H. Whitney Investment Management, LLC, which focused on Asia based hedge funds, and he is retired Senior Partner and past President of J.H. Whitney & Co., a diversified manager of alternative investment assets and the country's first venture capital firm. He joined J.H. Whitney & Co. in 1989 and retired in 2009. Prior to that, he was a management consultant with Bain & Company. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor and Partner of TPG, a private equity firm. In his roles at FS Investors, Whitney, and TPG, he has overseen or been involved with the completion of over 150 investments, cumulatively responsible for several billion dollars of equity capital deployment.
Mike has created and operates active foundations focused on improving the lives of communities in need, and particularly children within those communities. He serves on the Board of Directors of several private companies. He attended Duke University, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, and Harvard Business School. Mike is a member of the San Diego Chapter of WPO and is on the Boards of The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, The Library Advisory Board at Duke University, and The Bishops School. He serves on the Dean's Advisory Council at The Rady School of Business at UCSD, the Board of Advisors for the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, and on the Library of Congress Madison Council. Mike is a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County President's Circle, and previously served on the Boards of The Gillispie School, The Monarch School Project, The San Diego Museum of Art, and The University of San Diego School of Business.

George H.W. Bush is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and a member of the Alfalfa Club.

Dianne Feinstein is a member of the Alfalfa Club, married to Richard C. Blum, a Senator for the California (CA) congressional delegation.

Michael R. Bloomberg is a member of the Alfalfa Club, a friend of Henry A. Kissinger, the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety, a co-chair for the Risky Business Project, was a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, and a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc.

Don Garber was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, a director at the United States Soccer Foundation, and is the commissioner for Major League Soccer.

Donna E. Shalala was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc., a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, a fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank), is a risk committee member for the Risky Business Project, and the president of the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Committee for Economic Development, and the Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, and is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.    

David H. Langstaff is a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, and a member of the Defense Business Board.

John M.B. O'Connor is a member of the Defense Business Board, and the chairman for the JH Whitney Investment Management.

Jack O. Bovender Jr. was a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, a chairman & CEO for the HCA Holdings Inc, is a board of visitor’s member for the Fuqua School of Business, and a trustee at the Duke University.

Bain Capital is an investor in HCA Holdings Inc., and a subsidiary of Bain & Company.

Goethe University Frankfurt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goethe_University_Frankfurt#History

History

In recent years, the university has focused in particular on law, history, and economics, creating new institutes, such as the Institute for Law and Finance (ILF) and the Center for Financial Studies (CFS)^{[citation needed]}. One of the university's ambitions is to become Germany's leading university for finance and economics, given the school's proximity to one of Europe's financial centers.^[9] The Goethe Business School offers a M.B.A. program, in cooperation with Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Goethe university has established an international award for research in financial economics, the Deutsche Bank Prize in Financial Economics.

Qualcomm Inc. was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was a director at the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and Qualcomm Inc. paid her speaker fees.

Richard C. Blum was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, the chairman for the CBRE Group, Inc., a board member for the Haas School of Business, an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a regent at the University of California, and married to California Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Haas School of Business is a business school at the University of California, Berkeley.

University of California, Berkeley is a University of California campus.

Laura D'Andrea Tyson is a professor at the Haas School of Business, a director at the CBRE Group, Inc., and was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

CBRE Group, Inc. acquired the Trammell Crow Company.

Frederic V. Malek is a director at the CBRE Group, Inc, and a member of the Alfalfa Club.

Dianne Feinstein is a member of the Alfalfa Club, married to Richard C. Blum, a Senator for the California (CA) congressional delegation.

Michael R. Bloomberg is a member of the Alfalfa Club, a friend of Henry A. Kissinger, the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety, was a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, and a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc.

Don Garber was a director at the USA Bid Committee Inc, a director at the United States Soccer Foundation, and is the commissioner for Major League Soccer.