Carmen Policy to lead S.F.'s effort to keep the 49ers

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 10/8/7 | Phillip Matier, Andrew Ross

[SmithL]

Former 49ers President Carmen Policy has just been recruited by Mayor Gavin Newsom to lead the city's effort to keep the team from exiting for the South Bay - bringing the veteran football executive's long journey to build a stadium in San Francisco full circle.

Policy headed the $100 million bond measure drive in 1997 that would have helped pay for a stadium at Candlestick Point. The voters approved it, but the stadium never got built.

Now Charmin' Carmen will serve as San Francisco's go-between with the Niners and the National Football League. He will also help lead a referendum headed for the ballot next June to allow construction of a stadium at Hunters Point, along with a housing and retail development at neighboring Candlestick Point.

"I consider it unfinished business," Policy said of the assignment.

"I'm absolutely thrilled Carmen will be joining our team," Newsom said. "Carmen's track record speaks for itself."

While Policy will be reporting to the mayor's office, Lennar Corp. - which is behind the stadium and Candlestick developments - will be footing the bill for his work as well as for the ballot referendum.

Policy was at the side of then-49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo when the 1997 bond measure narrowly passed. But then came DeBartolo's fall from grace as he was caught up in a federal bribery scandal involving the former governor of Louisiana.

[SmithL]

"I consider it unfinished business." -- Carmen Policy (left) on Mayor Gavin Newsom, asking him to try to keep the 49ers from leaving San Francisco.

[SmithL]

Bring back Eddie D!

[Always Right]

Doesn’t San Fransisco already have too many men running around in tight pants.

[TommyDale]

Yes, bring back Eddie and Carmen. Get the sister and brother-in-law Yorks out of there. They have ruined the franchise.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Hunter's Point is no place for a stadium. It's miles from the nearest freeway and surrounded by the worst crime-infested neighborhoods in the city (not that Candlestick is any better). This plan would only work if coupled with a massive redevelopment and gentrification (er...internal deportation) program for the area, which will provoke massive outrage from the usual suspects. The workable concept for a Mission Bay stadium site has apparently been given up since real estate values in the area have shot up much higher than anyone expected. Other than that, there is no other feasible site within the city limits. San Francisco is completely built out, so they have to destroy something to make this work. City Hall might be a good place to start. ;)

A lot of people in Santa Clara are unhappy about that site as well. As currently drawn up, it will amount to another big tax giveaway to an NFL owner.

[scott says]

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