The Santa Clara City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a $10 million project to prepare the site next to Great America for construction of a 49ers football stadium.

The endorsement after only a brief discussion allows officials to advertise the plans so an outside construction crew can begin working in January, making it the first significant capital investment in the stadium. The work includes moving utilities, installing sidewalks, adding extra parking and other work needed before construction on the stadium can begin.

“This is really an exciting move, although it doesn’t sound like very exciting work,” said Councilwoman Lisa Gillmor, a stadium backer. “It’s really a great movement forward for our stadium.”

The city will use voter-approved tax funds for part of the project and will borrow at least $6 million from the 49ers for the rest. If the remaining three-fourths of funding needed for the $987 million stadium can be secured, the prep work will allow construction on the project to begin in January 2013, with the first game slated for 2015.

Contact Mike Rosenberg at 408-920-5705.