"Build It Now!"

Soccer Silicon Valley members received the below email on the Ides of March, launching SSV's "Build It Now!" campaign:


"Dear SSV member:

"The next step in our long quest to create a permanent home for soccer in the Bay Area arrives tomorrow, March 16, as the San Jose City Council votes on the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Earthquakes' stadium at the Airport West site in San Jose.

"It is absolutely critical that we pack the council chambers with soccer fans for this vote. There has been some opposition to the EIR's approval and it's important that the City Council recognizes the vast number of people who support this project. If, for some reason, the EIR is not accepted, it could well mean the end of Lew Wolff's quest to build a stadium in San Jose. (We don't even want to think about what would happen after that.)

"On the other hand, if the chambers are overflowing with fans wearing Earthquakes blue and the vote is positive, it may provide new inspiration for the Earthquakes' owners to redouble their efforts to get the stadium built. That's why we're using this event as an opportunity to send a message to both the San Jose City Council and the Earthquakes' ownership group, many of whom are expected to be in attendance. SSV will be handing out "Build It Now!" flyers at the event, to show our support and commitment to a new stadium for the Quakes.

"Together, we have accomplished a lot already. When our team was threatened with relocation, we won an additional year of soccer in 2005, and after our team was cruelly ripped away from us at the end of that season, we played an important role in the rebirth of the Earthquakes in 2008. The approval of the final EIR is another critical step and will mark a significant milestone in the development process.

"The Council meeting starts at 7:00 but it is unlikely that the EIR will be addressed until 8:00, so there's no need to arrive before that time. San Jose City Hall is at 200 East Santa Clara Street. A map is available here. Free validated parking is available in the underground City Hall garage — enter off of S. 6th Street and bring your parking voucher to the council chambers — the validation machine is there. Parking is also available for a fee at the 4th Street Garage behind City Hall (enter heading south off of S. 4th St., a half block south of Santa Clara St.) and the Third Street Garage (enter heading north off 3rd St. a half block north of Santa Clara Street). (Note that both 3rd and 4th streets are one-way.)

"After the vote is taken, Earthquakes executive vice president David Alioto will be holding a Q and A at the Britannia Arms Downtown, a half-mile away at 173 West Santa Clara Street, and word has it that he's picking up the tab for the first 20 pitchers of beer as well.

"To sum up: Be there. Wear blue. Let everyone know that you're ready to start watching the Quakes in a beautiful new stadium.

"We hope to see you there.

"Yours in soccer,
SSV's board of directors"

 

Re: "Build It Now!

We will have "Build It Now!" flyers for everyone in attendance at the city council meeting.

We need fan volunteers to help distribute these. Meet me at the council chambers entrance at 6:45 p.m. to help with the effort.

 

Re: "Build It Now!

We've got 500 of them.

We're handing out flyers to EVERYONE! The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. Regular San Jose folks (apart from the naysayers in the immediate neighborhood) are likely to be supportive, too.

So while regular fans need not show up until 8 p.m., those volunteering with the flyer distribution should see me at the second floor entrance before the meeting begins, at 6:45 p.m.

Volunteer flyer-mavens will collect a free SSV scarf (value: $170) and be entered for the grand prize: an opportunity to be the fan who hands Lew Wolff his "BUILD IT NOW!" flyer. (value: priceless)

 

Mayor and City Council contact information here: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/council.asp.

 

This is, of course, based on your personal interaction with him?

I happen to think a show of enthusiasm from the fans would be a nice tonic for Lew Wolff. In all events, it cannot hurt.