Although not quite as massive of a project as the future Rams stadium in Inglewood, another new sports stadium is coming to Southern California.On Friday, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $250 million, 22,000-seat soccer stadium for a soon-to-be Major League Soccer team in Exposition Park. Expected to be completed by 2018, in time for Los Angeles Football Club's (LAFC) first season, the stadium will replace the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
According to City News Service, the project was approved with a 12-0 vote.
Councilman Curren Price, whose District 9 will be the home of the new stadium, said his constituents are "incredibly excited for this project."
"LAFC’s promise is to unite the world’s city through the world’s game," Henry Nguyen, LAFC Managing Partner and Owner, said in an announcement by the team. "Today, through the collaborative vision and efforts of the City Council and the people of Los Angeles, we continue to work towards that promise."
The site will have over 140,000 square feet of open public space—such as sidewalks and plazas—and will also bring new restaurants, a conference center and a soccer museum.
Despite the $250 million price tag, the team says the stadium will be privately funded. "No money from the City’s general fund will be used for this project," says the team website.
LAFC was announced last year, replacing the now-defunct Chivas USA, and its list of owners include some big names like Magic Johnson, Will Ferrell, former Dodger Nomar Garciaparra, soccer star Mia Hamm and motivational speaker Tony Robbins.
Chivas previously played at Carson's StubHub Center, home to MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy.
