Tag Cloud
Friday, February 10, 2012
Mayor Kevin Johnson introduces "Rules of the Game" for new arena
by Jonathan Mendick, published on October 29, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Storyline: Making History in Sacramento
Loading images
At a news conference Thursday, Mayor Kevin Johnson introduced his "Rules of the Game" plan to build an arena and entertainment complex in Sacramento. It was held on the 25th floor of the US Bank building downtown, featuring panoramic views of the skyline with Cal Expo and the Sacramento Railyards in the background.
Johnson's "rules" include coming up with a plan that doesn't depend on taxes, making sure the city is not a "stalking horse" for a deal elsewhere and utilizing experienced community members. He also announced that a task force will be established and that there will be an open call for proposals, with guidelines coming in the next few days.
"I think it's time to reinvigorate an arena discussion," Johnson said. "If you look out over Sacramento, it's clear that rebuilding Cal Expo cannot be the only option. We need a new sports and entertainment center."
Two weeks ago, after the NCAA deemed ARCO Arena outdated for an NCAA tournament, Johnson declared finding a new arena a "front-burner issue." He also has called a new arena part of a larger plan to revitalize Sacramento's economy.
Johnson said Thursday that the arena, host to more than 190 events last year, was not about the Maloofs or even the Kings.
"We've got to prove that we can build major projects here in Sacramento," he said. "I'm talking about an entertainment complex that lights up the next six blocks right outside of its boundaries, something that works hand in hand with transit, smart growth and green ambitions."
When asked about the Railyards as a potential site, Johnson said, "I have said all along that I would have loved to see an arena downtown and my favorite site was the Railyards. At the end of the day, it all boils down to 'How are you going to pay for it?' "
Johnson said he wants public input, adding that there will be a monthly events to discuss the complex.
"I challenge everyone to think big, and think about what great cities have done over the last 3,000 years," the mayor said. "Think about how we can join that list of great cities."
Please view a transcript of the speech here.
Conversation Express your views,
debate, and be heard with those in your area closest
to the issue.
Leave a Comment
Well, we could always bring back the Circus Maximus!
More and more KJ is resembling the sort of empty-suited 'man of the people' but wannabe horseyset elitist of the character 'George' in the 1939 version of PHILADELPHIA STORY with Katherine Hepburn.... Like my nana from 'old country' would say about such a tool, "oy what a putz!"
That being said....
If an arena is needed/desired by a vote, first, consideration should be lent to the rebuilding/renovation/retrofitting of ARCO, which if done creatively, could suit all parties, and be done at far less cost than building a new arena downtown.
Secondly, rebuilding ARCO for true multipurpose use might attract investment capital from a broader spectrum of sources, including private AND government sources, without adding to the local tax burden...
Such a use at the current ARCO site would take advantage of already existing infrastructure, including roads, plumbing, electrical, an existing expandable building, and lots of land, etc., rather than attempting an infill of an already crowded site plan at the Railyards or Cal Expo. And such a plan could be done creatively with architectural significance, with a nod to green tech, and a potential to be self sustaining in terms of its energy generation and consumption, AND IT WOULD CREATE JUST AS MANY JOBS AS BUILDING ELSEWHERE!
RE-USE ARCO!
Isn't this just a distraction from the Nestle mess, Dev. Dept. scandal and revolving door from Kevin's office "volunteers" to Nestle this week?
I do not find water-boarding funny at all, and I am glad that Jonathan does his job so well both with the pen and the camera.
I do agree that there are needs of far greater importance than an arena, and homelessness is certainly one of those needs. Frankly, with the glut of vacant residential and office space, I wonder if some sort of innovative re-use of available space might be employed to house the homeless in self-sustaining group settings, rather than merely chalking up 'beds', or even 'tents', to provide shelter for citizens, and yes, they are CITIZENS, who have been harmed by economic policies and acts so far removed from their collective grasp.
But, if an arena is 'prioritized' in the stream of need or desire by the people who make such decisions, I would hope it would be done creatively, reusing what we already have to the extent it can be, modifying for additional potential users, rather than the far more wasteful programme of building a new big box to house single uses, requiring amazing infrastructural retooling, and creating a logistical nightmare for people who reside or work in and around such potential sites.
Surely we can creatively dust off and reuse what already exists especially when what already exists is expandable and can be far less costly than building some new shiny object. I'm available to design it myself, if necessary...
For me, the news here is old. It does indeed all boil down to "How are you going to pay for it?" but K.J.'s "rules" don't really address that question.
Honestly, I think it's all a show so that when the Maloofs move the Kings, he can at least have a scapegoat and possible salvage re-election.
Doesn't Nestle own Pepsi, too?
Does anyone really believe that no one else has thought of fixing the current Arena, that there are not more qualified folks who have not looked into that, and come away with the idea that it is not feasible, realistic or workable, or would cost near the same to build a new one? Its not just a SPORTS arena, basketball only represents about 18% of the events there....geesh!
Would be nice to see folks here try and be the solution, rather than exasperate on the problems.
"Does anyone really believe that no one else has thought of fixing the current Arena, that there are not more qualified folks who have not looked into that, and come away with the idea that it is not feasible, realistic or workable, or would cost near the same to build a new one? Its not just a SPORTS arena, basketball only represents about 18% of the events there....geesh! "
You're right, they need to build a venue suitable for multiple events this time. They can do that in Natomas. The economy and the transportation issues are too great into the foreseeable future, for the ultimate/best/affordable/sensible solution to not be Natomas.
I didn't say anything about "fixing up Arco Arena." If you're going to criticize other SP comments, at least have the courtesy to read correctly.
"Rebuilding at Arco, on the open property on the other side of the parking lot (media love to make it sound like it's not right there) makes the most sense and is where they will eventually put it."
That's what other cities do. Which is one of the reasons it makes sense for this city. Build the new venue, keep using the old one, use the existing transportation/parking infrastructure, move into the new one.
Consider also that some of the "qualified folks who"... "come away with the idea that it is not feasible, realistic or workable" are looking for a new, sweet, cash cow real estate deal like the Natomas Basin provided them. Empires were built on the nucleus of Arco Arena, dontcha know.
Once they get over that stumbling block, they'll find a way to deliver a complex with an arena fit for the Kings, with plenty of skyboxes, decent concert acoustics and maybe even free water.
That on top of the issues that William raises, where is the feasibliity?
I like the idea of having stuff and people downtown. Just seems to fit.