Schwarzenegger signs bill boosting NFL stadium plans in San Gabriel Valley

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed a bill to help speed up construction of an NFL stadium in the San Gabriel Valley.

The legislation exempts the proposed 75,000-seat stadium from state environmental laws and is intended to hasten the planning process. The $800-million project by developer Ed Roski Jr. is planned near the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways.

“This is the best kind of action state government can create: action that cuts red tape, generates jobs, is environmentally friendly and brings a continued economic boost to California,” Schwarzenegger said. “This legislation allows us to move forward with the construction of the nation’s greenest football stadium and create thousands of jobs.”

Construction of the 3-million-square-foot stadium complex is estimated to create more than 18,000 jobs, according to a statement on the governor’s website.

The complex will include an orthopedic hospital, a movie and live performance theater, and office and retail space. But even in the wake of the bill signing, the stadium faces obstacles. It remains unclear whether such a large project could get construction loans amid the current credit crunch.

This issue has stalled several other mega-projects in Southern California, including the Frank Gehry-designed Grand Avenue development in downtown Los Angeles.

-- Raja Abdulrahim

Photo: A rendering of the City of Industry site, which would contain retail and office space, practice fields and banquet facilities. Credit: Mike Amaya / Meis Architects

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Comments

[Figgins]

If the stadium will be exempt from CA environmental laws, how we be so sure the project will be "environmentally friendly"?

[Chuck Chuckerson]

No stadium in LA !
And it is ridiculous to ignore enviromental laws. Environmental laws have a purpose- to make sure that you study the environment before you build. Not only does it protect animals, but it protects humans. What if you end up building on a toxic waste dump. Not a very good idea !

[Marissa]

do we even have the money to sign a football team right now? I highly doubt it. It sounds like a great idea (had we the money) but shouldn't that money be spent on public transportation? we're just going to see an increase in traffic to go to this multi-entertaining area.....out in the boonies I might add. I think we've got bigger things to deal with that could add jobs otherwise that this city desperately needs.

[Jim]

Ditto to Figgins.

Also with all this money and easing, excuse me, removing of any obstacles has to make you wonder just where it is all going.

[Amy]

Are the tax payers funding part of this project??? If so, wouldn't it be more cost effective to turn the Big A back into a baseball / football stadium?? That way when the football team starts loosing and leaves within 5-10 years we wont have some huge project that we paid for and no one uses...again my comment is assuming tax payer money is involved.

[Martini]

How can it be environmentally friendly when it's overruling all the state environmental laws.
And what assure us that a NFL wants to move to the industrial traffic jammed ugly part of the city. With this economy the "build it and they'll come" catchphrase doesn't apply anymore, just look at all the humongous constructions abandoned in Vegas, all the new housing project demolished in the Victorville area, all those fancy lofts sitting empty in downtown LA. Give me a break!

[sal]

in that area (where they want to build) there are a bunch of parks and a high school...a grade school too, i think. The amount of smog and dust that will be created over the the lengh of project will ruin the environment in most of the SGV...

[nation educator]

That's the way Schwarzenegger! Great Job! Closing schools and opening new NFL stadiums. Well at least our future (the kids) will know how to play football. They might not know how to read, but they will be well entertained! Excellent work! Keep screwing California budget .... Is that our taxes are spend for???

[anonymous]

Why have environmental laws if government officials (in this case, the governor)bypass the will of the people who voted for those laws? To have such a large project go through without being held to all the laws in place is irresponsible - there is a reason why we have environmental laws in place. Why can't Mr. Roski redevelop the forum? The area would benefit from the revenue, the area is already developed and it is centrally located.

[Prehensile]

Because there will be 18,000 less unemployed people cluttering up the landscape?

[Jack Meoph]

Study after study concludes that bending over for a major sport team stadium does nothing but screw the taxpayers, while enriching the owners of the team, and does little if anything for the community that it is being built it, because of all the tax breaks the stadium received up front. If the free market is so great, why is that these owners come begging for every conceivable break they can get when they build a stadium? Why can't they stand on their own investment and play by the rules like everyone else? weaksauce...

[Jill]

If the laws don't apply, what is their incentive to be "green"? Weird.

[David Galvan]

*facepalm*
Try to build a subway in the most transit-deprived and congested part of L.A., and the state demands strict environmental oversight (CEQA)! A football stadium that would be many miles outside the city center and nowhere near public transit, inducing yet more urban sprawl? Let's exempt that from environmental oversight because boy are we ready for some FOOTBALL!

[Ray Roker]

Figgins.. who gives a dam!! BUILD BUILD BUILD... it’s not like they are building a refinery or a landfill!

[L.A. 49ERS]

The 5 Time SB Champs would be welcomed to So Ca.

[Edward]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been by far the biggest reason why this State is suffering so much economically. I would not trust him for squat!! He's only added so much fuel to this recession we've been having, not to mention that he's the biggest hypocrite and liar too!

[Paul Dacher]

If you have a small manufacturing business, will Arnold exempt you from California's environmental laws?

[Robert]

Why is it necessary to circumvent CA environmental laws? I can only think that if it is necessary to take this step to get a stadium built, then there is something that is being hidden from us. Somebody is going to make a lot of money that would not be made if he/she had to follow the same rules that the rest of us have to follow. It is, as always, nice to have friends in high places.

[Wendy]

Thank GOD I'm moving out of Walnut next year!

[Tofumaker]

What would this mean for property values?

[Seamus Piper]

Because football is more important than the environment. Even in a town with no football team too broke to obtain or support one. But cut funding for battered women shelters... Are we ready to terminate the terminator yet?

[Christopher]

Wow, have you read the other articles regarding this? The environmental process was derailed by 5 individuals protesting and suing the project. To get around these 5 individuals the project was overriden by the State. The project has complied with all other environmental laws required of the CEQA process.

[CE]

Stop crying about it! You know all of you will go there once it opens and say "wow this is nice!"

[KenG]

What a sell-out by the state legislature. They give a waiver to a giant project like this, because it's going to create jobs. You know, like ticket seller, snack seller, all kinds of part-time, minimum wage jobs with health care and education subsidized by the state. Even if they weren't abandoning the environment to enrich a wealthy developer, why subsidize the creation of jobs that weaken the economy?

I would expect this from a Republican controlled legislature, because they don't care about clean air or clean water, or how many people live below the poverty line and can't afford health care. But when I see the Democrats vote for things like this, I find it hard to care about who gets elected, because all that matters to them is getting elected, so they can continue to let stuff like this happen.

[rob]

i hope they build a giant, massive stadium and that they ruin the natural wildlife and i hope the enviromentalist try to protest but their cries for help wont be answered. bunch of green hippy asses