This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
So what if Los Angeles doesn't have a team in the National Football League? And so what if Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) is looking for a new owner? Dammit: Downtown Los Angeles is getting a big ol' shiny new football stadium.
The L.A. City Council gave its final approval today for the $1.2 billion construction project to erect Farmers Field at L.A. Live, and provide a permanent home for an as-yet determined NFL team. Additionally, the approval gives the okay for a $315 convention center hall, stand-alone ballroom and park plaza. The deal was approved by a 12-0 vote, according to City News Service.
At today's meeting and vote were athletes like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Rodney Peete in favor of the stadium, with a few residents and low-income housing advocates there to voice opposition.
Once Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signs the approval, a battle is expected to heat up between AEG and rival Majestic Realty Co., who are building a stadium in the City of Industry and are also tasked with wooing an NFL team to come to L.A.
The L.A. City Council's support of the project has been contingent on the deal stipulating that a team must agree to come to L.A. and call the 76,000-seat venue home for 20 to 30 years.
The stadium will have a "light and airy" design, with a "deployable" roof, and possible other temporary roofs or coverings created out of "inflated air chambers," says design firm Gensler.
AEG's Tim Leiweke reminded everyone today that the stadium will not cost taxpayers any money. "This is a 100 percent privately financed football stadium, and the taxpayers and the general fund will never be at risk. You have our word on that and it's in the agreement,'' Leiweke told the council.
