By Greg Hazley
The governing board for the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego has hired San Diego-based Southwest Strategies for a six-month, $75K public awareness pact to voice opposition to a $120M plan by the city of Del Mar to purchase the site from the state of California.
Del Mar’s city council in December approved a plan to pay $120M for the fairgrounds and race track as the state looks to unload assets to cover a budget deficit.
The fairgrounds’ board, the 22nd District Agricultural Association Board of Directors, on Feb. 8 voted to approve the PR pact, as well as the hiring of a law firm, to block the acquisition deal.
Southwest Strategies is headed by PR vets Alan Ziegaus and Christopher Wahl.
Members of the board believe the $120M price tag is too low and expressed concern about the city borrowing to cover the costs.
A bill in the state senate would okay the acquisition.
In addition to the 74-year-old Del Mar Racetrack, the 370-acre fairgrounds hosts a variety of entertainment and events, from local crafts shows to major entertainment acts like Willie Nelson and Travis Tritt. It also hosts the San Diego County Fair.
The PR contract was approved at the board’s Feb. 8 meeting and runs through April 30.
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