In a sign of a possible move to Los Angeles, the San Diego Chargers have reportedly sign a lease for team operations in Costa Mesa.
Located in Orange County, Costa Mesa has attracted the Chargers’ interest through The Hive, an office development that will host some of the team’s operations. The team’s presence in Costa Mesa would also include a practice facility, as the Chargers are looking to develop a 3.2-acre parcel near The Hive.
At this point, the move is preliminary and has some ways to go before being finalized. Chargers owner Dean Spanos has stuck to his commitment to not make an announcement about their status until after this season, something he pledged after San Diego voters rejected a proposed downtown/stadium convention center project in November.
Additionally, the team is still in the process of working with Costa Mesa officials on the practice facility, with the Chargers attempting to obtain the necessary permits. However, the team is clearly setting the stage for a move. More from the OC Register:
Should the Chargers move, their new office and training base would be at 3333 South Susan St. in Costa Mesa, adjacent to the 405 freeway. While Spanos is expected to review several sites to serve as the team’s permanent office and training complex in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, the Costa Mesa complex will receive major consideration as the Chargers’ long-term base. The Chargers would also have offices at the Inglewood facility.
The lease with the Hive would be terminated should Spanos decide to stay in San Diego.
“On behalf of the Costa Mesa City Council and our entire community, we are elated that the Chargers organization has selected Costa Mesa, the City of the Arts, as their new home if the LA stadium option is exercised,” Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley said in a statement to the Register. “ … The City understands that this is a difficult and significant decision for Mr. Dean Spanos but Costa Mesa is prepared to graciously welcome his organization and his family of employees as they make us their home for their new headquarters, practice and training facility. Welcome to Costa Mesa.”
Billed as a “next generation work-space” and located not far from John Wayne Airport, the Hive is owned and a managed by Steel Wave, a Foster City-based commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate management, operating company and investment management firm. The Chargers’ lease is for the use of Building C, a two-story structure with 101,831 rentable square footage. The Chargers are also seeking permits with Costa Mesa to develop practice fields on adjacent land.
This is not the only step toward a move that has been taken in recent weeks. Earlier this month, NFL owners signed off an agreement between the Chargers and Los Angeles Rams to share a stadium in Inglewood, CA when it opens in 2019.
The Chargers have an option to move to Los Angeles that expires on January 15, 2017. If that option is exercised, the team will likely move before the 2017 season, playing in a temporary venue in the Los Angeles area for at least two years until construction on the Inglewood stadium is completed.
RELATED STORIES: Owners Approve Chargers Lease Terms in Los Angeles; Qualcomm Stadium Lease Proposed by Councilmembers; As LA Looms, San Diego Mayor Meets with Chargers; Report: San Diego Chargers to Exercise Los Angeles Option; San Diego Chargers Continuing Talks with Los Angels Rams; Report: San Diego Chargers to Inglewood Looking More Likely; City Looks to Keep San Diego Chargers; Voters Reject San Diego Chargers Stadium