Los Angeles City Council approves NFL Stadium

[TinyEvel]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...headline_stack

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LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles took a major step Friday toward building a downtown stadium to lure an NFL team back to the nation's second most populous city, despite questions about how a 72,000-seat venue in the city's urban core would impact notorious freeway traffic, nearby housing prices and air quality.


The 12-0 vote by City Council came after starkly contrasting predictions about what the $1.5 billion project would mean for an economically troubled city that has fretted over the loss of professional football since the Raiders and Rams fled Southern California in 1994.

Supporters said the deal with developer Anschutz Entertainment Group would create thousands of jobs, a hub of civic pride and new tax dollars for cash-starved City Hall, while critics warned that affordable housing would vanish in the neighborhood while traffic would come to a virtual standstill on game days.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement after the vote that it demonstrates "what we can accomplish when the city family joins together with private partners in a transformational development."

"This is truly a game changer for Los Angeles," Villaraigosa said.

The vote was overshadowed by the recent announcement that AEG was seeking a new owner, though company officials have assured City Hall the stadium plan will remain the same, even if the company changes hands.

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The biggest question about the stadium is the most obvious: There's no one to play in it. But the Democratic mayor and other supporters hope the agreement will eventually attract a team - or two - to one of the nation's most lucrative media markets.

AEG, also the owner of Los Angeles' Staples Center arena and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, has deep ties to City Hall. Any deal to buy the company, a subsidiary of Denver-based Anschutz Co., would mean a major shift in sports and entertainment in the region and around the world.

AEG's holdings include pro soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, part-ownership of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, and major entertainment and real estate holdings in downtown Los Angeles. Outside the city, AEG owns Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo and all or part of several arenas around the U.S. and in Sweden, China and Australia.

The project, which calls for the renovation of an adjacent convention center, is facing a lawsuit filed by anti-poverty and environmental activists that some predict could delay or derail plans for the stadium, known as Farmers Field. The activist group, Play Fair at Farmers Field Coalition, is challenging a state law intended to help swiftly resolve legal challenges to the stadium, and it also wants AEG to pay $60 million toward affordable housing in the long-struggling downtown neighborhood.

There are some risky assumptions. In a city where everyone drives, planners predict many fans will leave their vehicles at home and travel to the stadium by bus or rail.

A rival group, Majestic Realty, has proposed building a stadium in the City of Industry, outside Los Angeles.

AEG is hoping to have an NFL team on the field by the 2017 season. The company has pledged about $35 million to reduce traffic problems.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by bowener

$1.8 billion? What the **** are they building there? I thought it was going to largely be constructed in a hill to cut down on costs...

Thats the other stadium project out in the suburbs. This one was to be right next to Staples Center in downtown.

[kaplin42]

Originally Posted by bowener

$1.8 billion? What the **** are they building there? I thought it was going to largely be constructed in a hill to cut down on costs...

As I understand it, they were going to move the LA convention center, and build the stadium there, litteraly across the street from the staple center. Thing was, it wasn't just a stadium, it was going to be an outdoor mall too. Fans would have to traverse a maze of overpriced shops to get to their seats.

[Strongside]

Should name the team the Real Housewives of Los Angeles.

[bowener]

Originally Posted by kaplin42

As I understand it, they were going to move the LA convention center, and build the stadium there, litteraly across the street from the staple center. Thing was, it wasn't just a stadium, it was going to be an outdoor mall too. Fans would have to traverse a maze of overpriced shops to get to their seats.

Oh, alright, that makes much more sense. That is an obscene upfront cost. I realize the property value is probably quite high, and they would probably have to level several blocks of shit before construction could begin.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by kaplin42

As I understand it, they were going to move the LA convention center, and build the stadium there, litteraly across the street from the staple center. Thing was, it wasn't just a stadium, it was going to be an outdoor mall too. Fans would have to traverse a maze of overpriced shops to get to their seats.

Dude, I don't know where you read that but that's certainly not in any plans that I've seen.

Yes, they're going to raze one side of the L.A. Convention center (which is a piece of ****ing shit) to make room for the stadium, then remodel and add square footage back onto the other side.

It'll all tie in to Staples and L.A. Live but I haven't seen plans anywhere at all that show a shopping mall attached or part of the stadium, which will include a retractable dome.

But all that said, this thing was dead in the water the minute AEG went on the block.

[JohninGpt]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It'll all tie in to Staples and L.A. Live but I haven't seen plans anywhere at all that show a shopping mall attached or part of the stadium, which will include a retractable dome.

Why on earth would they spend money on a retractable dome with weather like you have in LA?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Welcome home, Jags.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by JohninGpt

Why on earth would they spend money on a retractable dome with weather like you have in LA?

Because it would be a multipurpose stadium for the Olympics, World Cup Soccer but more importantly, Final Fours.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by SNR

This is the beginning of the end, Setsuna

You know what SNR? YOU CAN GO **** YOUR MOM AND THEN VOYEUR YOUR UNCLE ****ING YOUR GRANDMOTHER!

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

You jerk!

WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE A NFL FOOTBALL TEAM IN JACKSONVILLE!!!!

Originally Posted by Sweet Dick Willie

Welcome home, Jags.
Posted via Mobile Device

I trust you already know what to do with that mouth of yours. AIDs covered dicks bro, AIDs covered dicks.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by JohninGpt

Why on earth would they spend money on a retractable dome with weather like you have in LA?

In case it gets under 68.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Yep, LA's new Jagalicious franchise.
Posted via Mobile Device

[ChiefsCountry]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...to-los-angeles

I'm thinking Ed Roski gets a piece of the Raiders. That's my guess right now.

[SAUTO]

Rams raiders
Posted via Mobile Device

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Rams raiders
Posted via Mobile Device

You know something about the Rams?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...to-los-angeles

I'm thinking Ed Roski gets a piece of the Raiders. That's my guess right now.

Roski's deal will never get approved. No one will drive to the City of Industry.

The only place that makes sense is the AEG complex next to Staples. There's a subway stop, tons of young people living downtown within walking distance, easy freeway access and lots of bars and restaurants nearby. Farmer's is already locked in for $20 million a year for naming rights.

The City of Industry is a steaming dump.