The San Diego Chargers unveiled a conceptual design for the new $1.8B stadium-convention center complex in the East Village last Saturday, during a Chargers rally attended by more than 1,000 fans to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to fund the stadium. The team needs at least 67,000 signatures to get the initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot. The financing plan calls for raising the hotel tax from 12.5% to 16.5% to pay back bonds to finance the city’s $350M share of the $1B stadium, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Chargers and the NFL would provide a total of $650M toward the stadium cost, while the bond issue would also finance the $800M cost for the convention center exhibit facility.

Designed by Kansas City, KS-based Manica Architecture, the stadium’s angular leaning nautical design was inspired by San Diego’s mild climate, rugged coastline and sailing culture, according to architect David Manica. The hybrid project design maximizes use of space, with the stadium floor convertible to other uses, boosting the 260k SF convention exhibit facility by 100k SF and providing space for consumer shows, special events and concerts. The 65,000-seat stadium, which would be among the smallest NFL stadiums, could be expanded to 72,000 seats—large enough to host a Super Bowl. The 15-acre project site, just east of Petco Park, presented a challenge for the architect in fitting both facilities onto this rather limited infill site. Manica, however, was able to include a two-acre Tailgate Park parking lot and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System bus yard on the site. [SDUT]