For more than a decade, Santa Clara has been consumed by one major controversy after another. Whether it\u2019s been Levi\u2019s Stadium, the convention center, the PAL BMX track, downtown redevelopment or the proposed City Hall move to Agnews, our community has spent years divided instead of united.<\/p>\n
Each issue has its own history and each involved multiple parties. But they all have one thing in common: they unfolded during Mayor Lisa Gillmor\u2019s administration, and the result has been the same \u2014 conflict, litigation, damaged relationships and a loss of public trust.<\/p>\n
The convention center<\/a> dispute ended with the city terminating the Chamber of Commerce\u2019s management agreement, years of litigation and a settlement. The business community and the city lost a partnership that had existed for decades.<\/p>\n The BMX controversy divided volunteers, families and youth over a program that had become one of the nation\u2019s most successful community BMX tracks. Instead of celebrating our young riders, we watched another public battle unfold.<\/p>\n The relationship between the city and the 49ers has also been marked by years of lawsuits<\/a>, arbitration<\/a>\u00a0and political conflict<\/a>. Regardless of which side you support, it is difficult to argue that this constant fighting has benefited Santa Clara.<\/p>\n Rather than asking who won, perhaps we should be asking a different question:\u00a0How do we stop repeating the same cycle?<\/p>\n There are solutions.<\/p>\n Levi\u2019s Stadium should be managed by an independent professional stadium management company operating under the oversight of the Stadium Authority. That would allow the city to focus on protecting taxpayers while professionals focus on running one of the world\u2019s premier sports and entertainment venues.<\/p>\n The convention center should once again benefit from the expertise and business relationships of a strong local chamber of commerce, with clear contracts, financial transparency and appropriate city oversight. The goal should not be to relive old battles, but to rebuild trust and strengthen Santa Clara\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n