Taylor Swift rocked Levi’s Stadium for two nights last weekend. Unless you just returned from Tibet, you already knew this. What you may not realize was the terrific economic bonanza Swift created for Santa Clara.
Hotels, restaurants and ancillary services were also packed as patrons and fans unloaded their cash in favor of fun and frolic.
When the counting is done, the revenue from these two nights at the stadium alone will likely bring the City of Santa Clara in excess of a million dollars. Add to that the share of tax revenue generated from local businesses, and you can count on a major dent in the City’s deficit.
But wait. How is it that Santa Clara, the most progressive City in the county, could have a deficit? It was just a few years ago Santa Clara enjoyed a $20 million dollar surplus.
Well, it was a combination of an overpaid, incompetent city manager and her cronies without care or concern for Santa Clara. Couple that with the election of Lisa Gillmor as Mayor, add to that her majority control of the council until 2021 that supported her spurious spending sprees and you have it.
However, it was not just her spending alone. Gillmor and her council majority voted in restrictions that served as a tourniquet on stadium revenue.
Do you recall the last time the Rolling Stones played Levi’s Stadium? They were also a sellout. One of their highlights was their closing pyrotechnic show. Gillmor’s city manager was directed to nix their fireworks show as a noise issue and fire hazard. Do you think the Rolling Stones would have any desire to return to Levi’s and Santa Clara under those restrictions?
You might note; the 49ers have shot off pyrotechnics at every game from the beginning and continue to do so. Both of Taylor Swift’s shows went past curfew and included pyrotechnics to close things out with no problems.
Thanks to the current council majority and their harmonious relationship with stadium managers and the 49ers, huge acts like Taylor Swift can perform and produce revenue for Santa Clara. Even though Swift went 38 minutes past “curfew” Friday night and again on Saturday, she would be welcomed back in a heartbeat.
Thanks to the Santa Clara City Council that has returned common sense to the City. They continue to work with Levi’s managers to provide amazing entertainment for our entire community.
Frankly, you can take that hypocritical Grand Jury report which criticizes this council majority for doing a great job working with the 49ers…and stuff it!
