Stadium Groups Tout Business Backing, Economic Impact
Gensler / AEG
Rendering of AEG's proposed Farmers Field stadium and events center, which would sit next to Staples Center and L.A. Live.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The companies behind both area stadium plans touted their business backing this week as they continued a slow duel to see who can attract an NFL team to Los Angeles.
AEG's proposal to modernize the L.A. Convention Center as part of its Farmers Field project was the prime topic for union members and business leaders who testified at City Council on Wednesday. Speakers pointed to the just-concluded E3 Expo as the sort of event that Los Angeles will be better able to attract with the redone facility. According to numbers presented at Council, the three-day video game conference brought nearly 47,000 guests and $26 million in spending to the city. An upcoming Microsoft conference in July is expected to bring $75 million in impact.
Meanwhile, Majestic Realty's Los Angeles Football Stadium in the City of Industry sent out a note announcing its backing by the Orange County Business Council, which says that the inland location is better-positioned to serve all of Southern California.
On Thursday, June 30, the City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on the Proposed Downtown Stadium and Events Center will hold its second meeting. On the agenda is a motion by committee chair Jan Perry, who Wednesday asked for an official report on the economic impact numbers pitched at Council.
Meanwhile, the clock continues to tick on AEG CEO Tim Leiweke's timeline for getting the stadium deal done. Leiweke, who recently told the L.A. Times that he needs to have a deal outlined with Council by July 31, first wanted to open the stadium in time for the 2016 Super Bowl. Now, the AEG head says the start of the 2016 regular season is the earliest the stadium could be ready.
William Crandell on June 17, 2011, at 09:08AM – #1
The political and economic climate surely isn't ripe for it, but it would be AMAZING if one or more politicians were to take the position of the city of L.A. partnering with AEG to realize the best, long-term solution for both facilities. Leiweke has spoken of boosting the convention center into the top ranks of the convention trade. The only route to a better long-term payoff for the convention facility is through great architecture and urban design, not by puff mongering, running around mouthing the words 'world class'. The design solution needs to be an inordinate success. I'm afraid that the convention part of the deal will be second rate, simply due to cost factors. That's why we need one or more politicos to step out front, with imagination.
Twirly Burly on June 17, 2011, at 11:14AM – #2
Majestic Realty's stadium in Industry would be better overall for the fans. If you look at this purely from the fan experience viewpoint (getting there, tailgating, parking, number of seats, views, open air, airspace for blimps and parachutists, etc.) then the Industry site wins by far. The only reason to build this in downtown LA would be for AEG's corporate benefit.
Jon on June 17, 2011, at 11:54AM – #3
It may benefit AEG, but as an Angeleno, I look forward to an improved convention center and the ability to take public transit to a football game. I've never been to Industry, but I quite like the views of downtown Los Angeles. Is the the Industry landscape as enthralling?
Not sure about skydivers, but there are definitely blimps that fly over downtown. And I've seen skydivers land in the Coliseum.
William Crandell on June 17, 2011, at 02:29PM – #4
From Twirly Burly we get the South El Monte Chamber of Commerce perspective:
IT'S THE SKYDIVERS, STUPID!
LAofAnaheim on June 18, 2011, at 02:36PM – #5
By building a stadium in Industry, we are just encouraging more sprawl in LA county. Nows the time to start focusing on urban infill development. Look at how much easier it is to access Staples Center than the previous Great Western Forum. Staples is walking distance from 4 Metro rail lines (Red, Purple, Blue and Expo). Which means, that people have OPTIONS in arriving to a stadium, unlike Industry, in which driving is the near unanimous realistic option. People from North Hollywood, Culver City, Koreatown, South LA, Long Beach, etc.. have a 1 seat ride via Metro rail to the stadium. Industry cannot offer that at all. What's going to happen when gas skyrockets again to $5 or $6 a gallon? Then we just encourage development far out yonder?
Simon Hartigan on June 18, 2011, at 09:26PM – #6
LAofAnaheim is right. A stadium built in the City of Industry would be a bad investment. DTLA is one of the only options for a stadium location in all of SoCal.
Jasmijn on June 21, 2011, at 12:19AM – #7
Are football fans better behaved than basketball fans? After last year's Lakers victory, I cringe at the thought of any more sports-related celebrations near my neighborhood.
VIP Tickets on June 21, 2011, at 11:00AM – #8
While there are definitely a lot more debatable questions than there are ones with clear answers, the bottom line is that such a stadium as the one AEG has proposed would boost the Los Angeles economic landscape during a time when it is gravely needed.
All of this however, is also assuming that the right team comes to L.A. This city is one that is accustomed to winning and sadly enough, shows the most support only when the teams are doing well. We've seen it with the Lakers and Dodgers. The Dodgers especially are going through a very tumultuous period right now and their so-so play on the field is certainly not helping anything from a fan's perspective. Ticket sales are suffering mightily, but that would more than likely not be as bad if the team was playing division-leading baseball.
If the NFL team that comes to L.A. plays a lot of playoff football, there is no question that the city would benefit from the litany of business opportunities for vendors, jobs within and outside of the stadium and visitors who come to support opposing teams.