Stadium plans are debated during forum

The backers of two rival NFL stadium proposals squared off Thursday, each defending their plan as the best for the city and the most likely to lure professional football back to Los Angeles.

Majestic Realty Vice President John Semcken said his company's plan to build a 75,000-seat venue in Industry, 15 miles east of Los Angeles, would draw fans to the city without exposing it to any development risks.

AEG operations chief Dan Beckerman countered that his company's proposal for a stadium in downtown Los Angeles is the better option because it also entails the renovation of the adjacent Convention Center.

"We understand how important these transformative projects are," said Beckerman, whose company also owns Staples Center. "This is our core business. This is what we do - we promote big events. This is what we do every day.

"It is a bold vision and we have the experience and the commitment and the financial wherewithal to complete this projects."

The forum was hosted by the Pat Brown Institute of Politics at California State University, Los Angeles.

Anschutz Entertainment Group has selected Los Angeles-based Gensler as the architect for its $1 billion stadium, which would having seating for 64,000 spectators and a retractable roof. Farmers Insurance has purchased naming rights to the stadium, which AEG has promised would be privately financed.

AEG wants to raze the West Hall of the Convention Center to make room for

its stadium, then build an expanded exhibition hall on another part of the property. The company wants the city to issue some $350 million in bonds to finance the relocation of the hall.

AEG says it would pick up the entire construction tab for the 72,000-seat stadium but intends to ask the city to let it use stadium ticket taxes and new venue-related revenue from city-owned parking lots to service the debt on the bonds.

Semcken said the $800 million stadium in Industry - which would anchor a 600-acre entertainment and retail complex - would be a boon to Los Angeles despite its distance from the heart of the city. He compared the privately funded project to stadiums built in the suburbs of Phoenix, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

"It wasn't Mesa or Arlington that benefitted from Super Bowls held there," Semckein said. "It was Phoenix and Dallas that benefitted, with zero investment. We think you'll see the same thing here."

Semcken also said the Industry site has on-site parking for 25,000 vehicles, giving it an edge over the AEG project in the downtown area, where parking would be at a premium.

"Our project is all about giving the National Football League exactly what they want," he said. "When they tell us to jump, we ask them how high."

Beckerman countered that there would be ample parking for Farmers Field patrons.

The biggest issue facing the backers is whether the NFL will move a team - or two - to Los Angeles. Los Angeles has not had an NFL franchise since the Rams and Raiders left the huge TV market more than 15 years ago.

Majestic and AEG each say they have been negotiating with NFL executives and have been assured that Los Angeles will get at least one team.

City Councilwoman Jan Perry, who represents the downtown area and who is chairing an ad hoc committee on Farmers Field, said she is looking for guarantees from AEG that no taxpayer money will be needed to fund the project.

"For me, this has immediate possibilities with great potential," Perry said. "But, the ad hoc committee needs to vet this and we are just at the beginning the discussion on this.

"The public impact is enormous. For the Convention Center, we now have 750,000 square feet of space. If this is built, it will take us up to 1.5 million square feet and allow us to compete for shows now going to Las Vegas and other cities."

Beckerman said AEG also believes its project would boost economic development downtown, much as its Staples Center and LA Live projects have done.

Perry said she hopes to begin her hearings within the next month and is lookng to hold extensive detailed sessions at locations around the city.

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