Cedar Fair opposes proposed 49ers Stadium

Cedar Fair has released a press release announcing their opposition to a proposed stadium for the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise. The proposed new stadium would be built on land that currently serves as the parking lot for Cedar Fair's Great America park. Following a review of the team's proposal, Cedar Fair said that it believes "the traffic, parking and other operational problems that would be created by putting the stadium in the middle of Great America's main parking area are insurmountable and would place the continued operation of the park at risk." The land in question, along with the land on which the Great America park itself is located, is owned by the city of Santa Clara, but is leased to Cedar Fair through 2039. More information in the full press release, which appears below.

The San Francisco 49ers, the City of Santa Clara and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (the owner of Great America), have had a series of meetings to discuss the 49ers' proposed new stadium to be located on Great America's main parking lot. The land on which Great America and the parking lot is located is owned by the City of Santa Clara but is leased to Cedar Fair through 2039.

After a careful review of the 49ers' proposal, Cedar Fair believes that the traffic, parking and other operational problems that would be created by putting the stadium in the middle of Great America's main parking area are insurmountable and would place the continued operation of the park at risk.

Cedar Fair has analyzed information provided by the 49ers themselves regarding parking, usage dates, project footprint, and traffic flow. While other parties can weigh in on the fiscal and environmental risks that building a new stadium would bring to the residents of Santa Clara, we oppose the stadium as proposed for three basic reasons specific to the interests of Great America's guests:

1. Unacceptable parking limitations for Great America visitors.
2. Increased congestion for Great America visitors.
3. Irreconcilable limits on Great America improvement plans.

When Cedar Fair concluded that an amusement park and the stadium as proposed could not successfully coexist, Cedar Fair offered the City and the 49ers the option of redeveloping the entire parcel. The next step will be for the citizens and the City of Santa Clara to decide: should the Great America site be used for a new 49ers' stadium or should the park continue to operate?
If the City and its citizens believe that the best use of this property is for a new stadium, then Cedar Fair is willing to consider selling the remainder of its lease and all of its interest and assets to the City or 49ers for fair market value.

Great America has been a favorite family destination for generations of visitors who enjoy clean, affordable, accessible entertainment. Cedar Fair is committed to maximizing the experience of our guests at Great America; the 49ers stadium as proposed is a threat to that commitment.