An L.A. TIMES editorial noted the L.A. City Council Friday “will spend the day poring over a proposed memorandum of understanding” with AEG, the company that built Staples Center and L.A. Live and “now hopes to build a downtown football stadium.” The council “does not intend to vote on the agreement this week but rather to publicly air any remaining questions.” It should “take full advantage of this crucial opportunity to satisfy itself and the public that this deal is neither a developer giveaway nor a sop to beleaguered football fans, but rather is one that makes economic and environmental sense for Los Angeles” (L.A. TIMES, 7/28).
TO-DO LIST: In Sacramento, Tony Bizjak notes supporters of a proposed downtown arena for the NBA Kings Thursday said that “they have a lot of work left to do before they release an arena financing report Sept. 8, including sifting through a list of up to 50 more arena funding possibilities.” Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's arena group this week “issued what it called a preliminary financing report, listing potential money sources, notably a $2 to $3 surcharge on tickets for games, concerts and other events at a new arena.” The report also “suggested existing city-owned downtown parking garages could generate up to” $5M from events (SACRAMENTO BEE, 7/29).
VOICING THEIR OPINION: On Long Island, Robert Brodsky notes the Association for a Better Long Island, which is against a plan to build a new Nassau Coliseum, Thursday “urged a state monitoring board to oppose the project.” Nassau County Exec Edward Mangano “criticized ABLI’s efforts.” Mangano: “A vocal minority is attempting to drown out the majority.” Brodsky notes local charities and churches “backed the plan, saying it would bring jobs and lower taxes” (NEWSDAY, 7/29).
FINANCIAL BOOST: In Orlando, David Damron reported Orange County (Fla.) could be “close to reaching a deal that would provide a major financial boost to the downtown arts center and Florida Citrus Bowl projects.” The cash would come from “a potentially multimillion-dollar settlement in the county's long-running legal fight” with Expedia “over how hotel rooms sold through the Internet should be taxed.” A drop in hotel-tax revenues delayed the $383M performing-arts center project, “forcing its backers to further delay construction on one of its three planned halls.” The Citrus Bowl is slated for $175M in upgrades, but “that face-lift can't begin until final funding is locked in place for the arts center” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/28).
