More than an entertainment option for thousands of San Diegans who patronize the Chargers, a football palace downtown (plus a convention center annex) would be an economic catalyst for the city, say "convadium" supporters who include Bolts chairman Dean Spanos and spokesmen of John Moores, a powerful real estate player and former Padres owner.
San Diego voters, perhaps as soon as November, are expected to decide the fate of the Chargers' initiative that seeks a $1.15-billion subsidy through a higher hotel tax.
As a catalyst for batting around ideas about what to do with land near Petco Park, plus the vast Mission Valley site where the Chargers have played since 1967, the convadium is a booming success.