LOS ANGELES - Farmers Field (72,000)

[soup or man]

[/QUOTE]



image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr




I think it's long past the point that all discussion regarding the proposed stadium that would rise on the current West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center should be moved here.

Anyway, the lastest info.

Game Would Take Place in $1 Billion, Privately Funded Stadium and Convention Complex
by Jon Regardie, Executive Editor
Published: Thursday, November 4, 2010 4:35 PM PDT
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES – Tim Leiweke, the powerful and politically connected president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, this afternoon laid out a vision that would bring the 2016 Super Bowl to Downtown Los Angeles, as well as the 2022 World Cup final. The plan, which faces numerous hurdles, would also redefine Los Angeles’ role in the events and convention industry.

Speaking to about 60 people at a Biltmore Hotel luncheon hosted by the organization Town Hall Los Angeles, Leiweke described the political and construction process needed for a $1 billion, 78,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof. If it comes to fruition, the building could host about 50 events a year, including, Leiweke hopes, NCAA Final Four tournaments.

Leiweke described a venture that would include razing the West Hall of the current Convention Center and re-creating Los Angeles’ convention hub, essentially doubling its space to about 1.4 million square feet. Convention activities could also be held in the proposed stadium, with a floor placed over the playing field. That would lead to new conventions for Los Angeles and, by extension, the creation of about 25,000 jobs, many of them in new hotels.

Leiweke said AEG plans to announce a new hotel venture in the first quarter of 2011, though he would not provide details except to say that it will be next to L.A. Live.

“It’s a good one, that’s all I’m going to say,” he commented.

The stadium itself, he said, would be privately financed, and only about 10 of the 50 annual events would be football games. He also promised that AEG would back the $300 million worth of bonds the city would need to issue to fund the Convention Center expansion.

“There will be no risk to the taxpayers,” he said, as well as no hit on the general fund. He sought to reiterate the point, saying the financing plan would have “no curtains, no wizards behind the wall.”

About seven years ago, Leiweke partnered with Casey Wasserman and Ron Burkle on an effort to build a football stadium in South Park. That never came together, and in recent years, Ed Roski, who was AEG founder Phil Anschutz’s partner in developing Staples Center, has been pursuing building his own privately financed NFL stadium in the City of Industry. Leiweke referenced Roski’s initiative, but said he has been in communication with NFL brass and thinks the league would prefer the Downtown alternative by virtue of its location and its ability to host associated events.

Construction in 2013


Many NFL observers in Los Angeles have pointed out that the league’s current primary focus is not getting a team to the nation’s second-largest media market, but rather on dealing with a labor dispute that could lead to a lockout or strike before the start of the 2011 season. Leiweke acknowledged that, but sought to use to it his advantage, saying that AEG could now begin pursuing the entitlements necessary to get the stadium built.

Leiweke said he hopes to be ready to have initial city support — he said meetings have already begun with the chief legislative analyst — and agreements from state lawmakers on a stadium’s environmental necessities within 60 days. In his timeframe, entitlements would begin in January 2011 and take a year.

“We’ll have a stadium that’s ready to push dirt” by the time the NFL labor deal is completed, he said.

With entitlements secured, construction on a new West Hall of the Convention Center would begin in January 2012 and take a year, Leiweke said. In early 2013, they would raze the current West Hall and begin building a stadium packed with luxury suites and club seats.

Construction would take about 30 months, he said, allowing a team to begin playing in Downtown at the start of the 2015 season. He specified that he does not have a franchise in mind, saying that is something for the league to determine.

He also said that during the construction, he would meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the 32 team owners in hopes of persuading them to award the 2016 Super Bowl — the 50th installment of the NFL championship — to the Los Angeles stadium. He hopes to have three Super Bowls in a decade.

Other pieces of the puzzle, he said, would include hosting the World Cup finals in 2022 — assuming the United States wins the bid for the soccer tournament. He also envisions the Downtown stadium being a site for college basketball’s Final Four tournament, and said initial talks have been held with the NCAA.

“But we’d have to bid on it,” he said in an interview after the address. “They’re aware of what we’re doing. They’re excited about what we’re doing. They can’t do Final Fours on the West Coast anymore because the last place they could do it was in Seattle and that building is gone. They’re dying to have a place on the West Coast, and I hope we give it to them.”

The site




And who might move there.

[Jericho-79]

This question may have been asked before. But I'd just like to make sure.

Are there any current NFL/CFL stadiums that are located within a major city's downtown core, and that do not have newly built parking lots?

Look at Lucas Oil and Reliant. Both of these new downtown stadiums have parking lots surrounding them.

[ryebreadraz]

Originally Posted by Jericho-79

This question may have been asked before. But I'd just like to make sure.

Are there any current NFL/CFL stadiums that are located within a major city's downtown core, and that do not have newly built parking lots?

Look at Lucas Oil and Reliant. Both of these new downtown stadiums have parking lots surrounding them.

The new stadium would be across the street from two large parking garages, is a block away from two smaller parking lots, there are a lot of parking garages within a short walk and AEG has said that they will build another parking garage.

[Jericho-79]

Originally Posted by ryebreadraz

The new stadium would be across the street from two large parking garages, is a block away from two smaller parking lots, there are a lot of parking garages within a short walk and AEG has said that they will build another parking garage.

If that's the case, I'd hate to be driving to an NFL game at the new stadium when a separate event (like a concert) is going on at the Staples Center.

[slipperydog]

Originally Posted by Jericho-79

If that's the case, I'd hate to be driving to an NFL game at the new stadium when a separate event (like a concert) is going on at the Staples Center.

Well AEG manages the entire complex, so I doubt they would allow major scheduling conflicts like that. But either way...Use the train people!!

[ryebreadraz]

Originally Posted by Jericho-79

If that's the case, I'd hate to be driving to an NFL game at the new stadium when a separate event (like a concert) is going on at the Staples Center.

They said they wouldn't have events at Staples at the same time a game is going on at the stadium, but it wouldn't be something that hasn't been done before. They've had 100,000+ there are one before between Staples and major conventions like the car show.

[slipperydog]

So where is the new convention center going...and he claimed it's supposed to be continuous, uninterrupted convention space. Not sure how that will work given that there are major streets down there that cant' be closed

[soup or man]

The stadium will double as expanded convention center space.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

they will also build a new hall. remember, there is space earmarked for a convention center expansion in the LA Live masterplan. im not sure where that space is exactly, but well get more details in the coming months im sure.

[slipperydog]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

they will also build a new hall. remember, there is space earmarked for a convention center expansion in the LA Live masterplan. im not sure where that space is exactly, but well get more details in the coming months im sure.

If they want to create truly 'uninterrupted' convention space, my best guess is that they will close cherry street, shift the stadium to the west up against the freeway. Then, use the plaza area next to Staples to build the new west hall and connect it over Pico.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by slipperydog

If they want to create truly 'uninterrupted' convention space, my best guess is that they will close cherry street, shift the stadium to the west up against the freeway. Then, use the plaza area next to Staples to build the new west hall and connect it over Pico.

yup sounds about right to me.

[Jim856796]

That stadium's location is going to suck. Because of this, I should oppose any proposal for a football stadium in Downtown Los Angeles. There's not going to be any good space for a new hall for the Los Angeles Convention Centre once that stadium is built.

If there are any serious proposals for a stadium on/near the Convention Centre, someone should have them cancelled.

[soup or man]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

That stadium's location is going to suck. Because of this, I should oppose any proposal for a football stadium in Downtown Los Angeles. There's not going to be any good space for a new hall for the Los Angeles Convention Centre once that stadium is built.

If there are any serious proposals for a stadium on/near the Convention Centre, someone should have them cancelled.

Reading must not be your strongest attribute because the football stadium will DOUBLE as convention center space.

Leiweke described a venture that would include razing the West Hall of the current Convention Center and re-creating Los Angeles’ convention hub, essentially doubling its space to about 1.4 million square feet. Convention activities could also be held in the proposed stadium, with a floor placed over the playing field.

[en1044]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

That stadium's location is going to suck. Because of this, I should oppose any proposal for a football stadium in Downtown Los Angeles. There's not going to be any good space for a new hall for the Los Angeles Convention Centre once that stadium is built.

If there are any serious proposals for a stadium on/near the Convention Centre, someone should have them cancelled.

Jim856796, talking out of his ass once again, completely clueless as to what he's saying.

Let me ask you Jim...what is wrong with a stadium doubling as convention center space?

[Jim856796]

Originally Posted by en1044

Jim856796, talking out of his ass once again, completely clueless as to what he's saying.

Let me ask you Jim...what is wrong with a stadium doubling as convention center space?

I just don't want valuable space lost because of demolition of either one of the halls, that's all.

[Jericho-79]

Would it be a better idea to demolish the LACC completely, to shut down Pico in between Figueroa and Cherry, and to build the new stadium where the south hall current sits?

That way they could build an open-air parking lot and/or additional LA Live establishments where the west hall currently sits. And the facade of the new stadium will be situated right on Figueroa (rather than on Chick Hearn), as Figueroa is the main artery through DT.

And that way, the new stadium won't look like it's "hidden behind" the Staples Center.

Besides, why build a new hall if the new stadium will double as convention space?

[slipperydog]

Originally Posted by Jericho-79

Would it be a better idea to demolish the LACC completely, to shut down Pico in between Figueroa and Cherry, and to build the new stadium where the south hall current sits?

Maybe, but demolishing the south hall is not a practical solution, since that would mean closing down about 65% of the convention center's space. Under your scenario, only 35% of the convention center (the West Hall) would be available to use, whereas under the current plan 100% of convention center space would be available during the entire duration of the three-year construction of the football stadium. Not to mention, overall meeting space of the LACC is already limited as it is, so closing down a significant portion of the complex would be devastating for the city during those three years.

Besides, why build a new hall if the new stadium will double as convention space?

The floor/field area of a football stadium for use as convention space is actually pretty small when compared to the overall footprint of the entire stadium structure. Simply building a stadium won't replace the square footage needed to equal or increase current convention space.

[en1044]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

I just don't want valuable space lost because of demolition of either one of the halls, that's all.

The stadium will double as convention space.

[ryebreadraz]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

I just don't want valuable space lost because of demolition of either one of the halls, that's all.

They will not start construction on the new stadium until the new west hall is built. During construction of the new west hall, the old west hall remains standing so no lost space. During construction of the stadium, the new west hall is open so they don't lose space then and in the end they have much more space and more modern, uninterrupted space. Before you outright oppose something, get the information first. Not that it matters, but do you still oppose the plan?

[Jim856796]

I don't care what it will double as, that stadium proposal still needs to be cancelled and should therefore not be constructed. I will oppose that plan.