Governor Jerry Brown Signs Bill to Speed Farmers Field Stadium Planning
Eric Richardson / blogdowntown
California Governor Jerry Brown signs a pair of bills designed to speed construction of large projects including AEG's proposed Farmers Field NFL stadium during a press conference on Tuesday morning.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — When Governor Jerry Brown was running for his second stint as the head of the State of California, he promised voters that he would have a no-nonsense approach to governance in what would most likely be his final public office.
On Tuesday morning outside the Los Angeles Convention Center, Brown minced no words in his praise of a pair of bills designed to speed construction projects throughout the state, including the $1.2-billion NFL stadium that AEG has proposed for the site of the center's 1971 West Hall.
"We're going to remove some regulations, we're going to speed things up, and we're going to protect the environment," Brown told an enthusiastic crowd of elected leaders, union workers and local stakeholders. "There are too many damn regulations, let's be clear about that."
The first bill, SB 292, is specific to AEG's Farmers Field proposal, which would tear down the Convention Center's West Hall, rebuilding the exhibit space over Pico Boulevard and erecting a 72,000-seat stadium on the cleared up land. The bill assures that environmental challenges to the project can last no longer than 175 days by sending them straight to the state appeals court and setting a strict timeline for briefings.
The second, AB 900, extends a similar timeline to proposals over $100 million that the Governor designates as "leadership projects."
In return for the speed-up, the projects are required to meet LEED standards for green construction and be designed to promote more transit use than similar projects elsewhere.
AEG's Tim Leiweke called on the elected leaders at Tuesday's signing ceremony to join him in petitioning the NFL to speed its return to Los Angeles.
"We're going to need your help, we're going to need your leadership, and we're going to need your enthusiasm," Leiweke said.
Afterward, Leiweke hinted toward an upcoming announcement that would bring something new around the stadium plans.
"There's a pretty revolutionary idea coming that people are going to hear that we are going to factor into Farmers Field," he told reporters, though he declined any followup questions.
Rich on September 27, 2011, at 02:04PM – #1
Why can't they do this for the Purple Line extension or HSR? Come ON!
Dion on September 27, 2011, at 03:02PM – #2
Rich, i think SB900 would cover the rail lines no? i hope they do cause the lag time is ridiculous.
Jon on September 27, 2011, at 03:24PM – #3
Any chance AEG can be required/persuaded to pay for improvements to the 110 overpass on Olympic?
If the walk underneath the overpass wasn't so unpleasant, perhaps the area west of the 110 wouldn't be such an afterthought.
David McBane on September 27, 2011, at 03:45PM – #4
jon - Reyes brought up at the meeting that was discussing the draft transportation plans that the plans did not include anything west of the 110. The presenters said they would come back with plans that covered west of 110 so hopefully they will follow through. Even they don't, I can't believe Reyes will drop the issue.
J-M on September 27, 2011, at 07:02PM – #5
I'm truly disgusted by this. I'm planning my move to coincide with this bullshit being built. Not the Downtown I envisaged when I moved here. Time to explore somewhere else, I think.
Mario Teran on September 27, 2011, at 08:34PM – #6
Hey J-M,
What's wrong. You wanted more low income housing instead?
William Crandell on September 27, 2011, at 08:41PM – #7
Well goodbye J-M! Don't let the tailgate hit your fanny on the way out. Maybe you can find a new place out there - east of South El Monte.
J-M on September 27, 2011, at 09:45PM – #8
The whole reason I moved Downtown is because it was full of individualism, not a concept I expect Mario or William to be familiar with. I moved here because there were no Hollywood types, no football fans, no suburbanites, but more a group of people who enjoyed the urban experience of being able to walk around, take public transportation, say Hi to people in the street, being able to bar-hop without driving, going to food-focused restaurants, feeling at home amongst other young people, not hating foreigners or the homeless, and having a range of entertainment options.
I never thought we'd be cheering the NFL's brave decision to return to Los Angeles after leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth when they left years ago. I applaud AEG for everything they did for the Staples Center and LA Live, and the life they've brought to South Park, but personally, I think bringing a football stadium Downtown is stupid. It's not needed and I'm disgusted by the fact that money can still so blatantly buy our politicians to fast-track one particular project. Wouldn't you love to see them come together with such speed on some real issues?!?
Anyhow, unfortunately, in the past year or two, I've come to expect scathing responses to any opinion expressed on Blogdowntown and I think it's driven a lot of people away. It's a great shame, as I think it used to be a great resource, but I'm getting as tired of the folks on this blog as I am of the stadium issue, so enjoy each other and have fun tailgating. When Downtown's full of people like you, and you all think the same, this city will truly have arrived.
Mario Teran on September 27, 2011, at 10:56PM – #9
Hey J-M,
Do you mean the way San Francisco was ruined when they built the new ballpark downtown, or how bad NYC is with 2 new ballparks. I guess you're looking for a city like Salt Lake City, of Little Rock, Arkansas. They don't have any football or baseball stadiums and clearly they're 2 places that take the lead when we think of progressive thinking. Not lame SF or NYC, which DTLA is threatening to emulate. Why would we want that?
William Crandell on September 27, 2011, at 10:57PM – #10
Hey, I don't like football either. I'm not into sports whatsoever, pro or amateur. But I'm glad as all heck that Casey Wasserman and Lieweike and AEG have stepped in to fill the void.
What city on the planet has a top of the line convention center, a highrise hotel, a sports arena, an entertainment and dining mecca and an enclosed football stadium all in such close proximity to one another as will soon be achieved in L.A.?
This complex will assure Downtown's predominant role in the life of the metropolitan region. There will be manifold spinoffs, allowing for the exercise of all sorts of imaginative endeavors and constructions. All of those asphalt parking lots dotting South Park will disappear quicker. I remember distinctly that in the four years following 1975 completion of the Security Pacific Headquarters tower on Hope Street, not a single minor or major building was constructed in Downtown.
Maybe you won't have to move away after all; perhaps you can attend poetry readings at Gladys Park, tell everyone you know that you never go west of Olive Street and shop for your groceries at Grand Central and achieve your style quota doing such things. But Downtown belongs to everyone; you do not seem to approve of that.
Chris Loos on September 28, 2011, at 08:48AM – #11
@J-M, so what you're saying is, you moved to the part of LA most likely to experience rapid gentrification, and now that its experiencing rapid gentrification, you intend to move?
Robert A on September 28, 2011, at 10:26AM – #12
J-M:
There is something for everyone Downtown. If you live in South Park...yes, you will see changes. But it is a neighborhood that didn't really exist before. If you live on Bunker Hill, the Historic District, the Artist's District...you won't even know there is a stadium there except you will see more tourists...which brings in tax dollars. I really don't understand your concerns. I love football..used to have Ram season tickets in OC...and see the stadium as a catalyst for hotels, retail stores etc...and hopefully more focus on housing for everyone. We will also finally get the NCAA final four here. You can't generalize about who lives Downtown...there is an neigborhood here for everyone. I hope you stay.
downtown vibe on September 28, 2011, at 02:52PM – #13
David McBane, William Crandell and all those talking heads who are pushing this wonderful stadium project.
Listen to Kevin James and what he has to reveal about the lies.
Boy, have we been played!
Skid Row money for architects.... no shame
http://www.krla870.com/player.aspx?id=bcf38d92-05ff-4f3f-a29c-72750769942a
James Fernsale on September 30, 2011, at 01:25PM – #14
Exactly what regulations is he bypassing? Those are put there for a reason.
JDRCRASHER on October 03, 2011, at 11:05AM – #15
J-M, remember the effects of the stadium aren't just confined to the world of football. During the off-season, it will be used as even more convention space (hence the retractable roof) to attract more events to the venue, increase hotel bookings, and, eventually... more hotels, along with residential and office buildings.
@J-M: "I moved here because there were no Hollywood types,"
Why can't "hollywood types" live downtown? This is a place for everyone...
@J-M:"no football fans,"
Are you saying that downtowners can't be football fans? Hate to say it, but I think you'll have a hard time finding a major downtown in this country that's like that.
@J-M: "no suburbanites, but more a group of people who enjoyed the urban experience of being able to walk around, take public transportation, say Hi to people in the street, being able to bar-hop without driving, going to food-focused restaurants, feeling at home amongst other young people, not hating foreigners or the homeless, and having a range of entertainment options."
Dude... all that is happening BEFORE YOUR EYES. I live in the San Gabriel Valley, but I can still see the changes downtown whenever I visit.
Chad Shelhart on November 15, 2011, at 11:27PM – #16
I don't understand why you would tear down a age old building that you use for trade shows. And why would you add more congestion to that area, I think it would be better to build Farmers Field where the great western forum is... What are your guys thoughts....