Joe Montana Leads New 49ers Project

---

A group led by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana has released its plan for a $400 million mixed-use development adjacent to the new San Francisco 49ers stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Dubbed Santa Clara Centennial Gateway, the 860,000-square-foot project will include, hotel, office and leisure space, including a Joe Montana signature restaurant. The 9.5-acre site will also link to various local public transit systems, as part of the connection to the Levi's Stadium, which is under construction.

The Montana Group and Lowe Enterprises have an exclusive agreement with the City of Santa Clara to negotiate plans for the site.

"We have the ability to create something incredibly unique and wonderful that will leave a lasting impression on all who live, work and visit this exciting new destination in Santa Clara," Mr. Montana said in a statement released Friday, when the plans were unveiled.

The project has been in the works for years, but this is the first time the group has provided specific plans, which still must be approved by the city. Designed by NBBJ, the project will include a seven-story, 200-room hotel, two 240,000-square-foot office buildings and up to 150,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space, as well as public outdoor plazas.

Levi's Stadium, which will serve as the 49ers new home, is scheduled for completion in 2014. Santa Clara committed $850 million to build the 68,500-seat stadium and woo the 49ers from San Francisco, which is 38 miles from Santa Clara.

The Centennial developers hope to gain formal city approval for the project by the summer of 2014 and complete the first phase in time for the Super Bowl in February, 2016, which is scheduled for the new stadium.

In a recent interview, the famously mild-manner ex-quarterback took a gentle shot at the city of San Francisco, saying they did a "terrible" job trying to keep the team.

Santa Clara is working Related Group to develop the $1.5 billion "City Place Santa Clara," a mixed-use development on 215 acres of city-owned land now occupied by the Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club and a motocross track.