Date: January 23, 2002	Contact: Darren Pudgil
	tel: (619) 531-5894

COUNTY MAY BE PLAYER IN BALLPARK PROJECT
Roberts, Murphy Say City and County Should Work Together

SAN DIEGO – As the downtown ballpark redevelopment project hangs in the balance due to yet
another frivolous lawsuit, Board of Supervisors Chairman Ron Roberts and San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy
said today the City and the County should work together and explore ways to restart the project.

“I think there is a tremendous opportunity for a win-win-win
solution where the County can enhance its financial standing, the
City can save money, and the taxpayers can finally see the ballpark completed,” said Roberts.

Mayor Murphy welcomed the County’s participation. “I want to thank Chairman Roberts for his leadership and his vision in offering to work with the City on this issue,” said Murphy. “Both the City and the County have a vested interest in seeing the ballpark project move forward. It will be good for the City and it will be good for the people throughout San Diego County.”

Roberts has called a special Board of Supervisors meeting tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. where he will ask his colleagues to support his plan to direct County staff to work with the City.

“I think it is vital that both the City and County work together to ensure that the obstructionists not succeed in derailing this project,” added Roberts. “If they succeed here, then any local government project will be vulnerable to being delayed or stopped by a small group of people who use the courts for their own political purposes.”

Both Murphy and Roberts declined to list possible options.

“We think any speculation on how the County could assist is premature,” said Roberts.

“Our staffs need to explore all the legal and financial considerations before we can really have the City Council and the Board of Supervisors make a decision,” said Murphy.