http://news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=19837
Redevelopment of Sacramento's downtown railyards is a major selling point in the campaign to raise the local sales tax. But Kings owner Joe Maloof is preparing voters for another possibility.
At a news conference kicking off the campaign for Measures Q and R, a series of speakers spoke of the importance of a new arena to the railyards development. Proponents say a downtown arena would spur more than $5 billion in new development. Measure R would raise the county's sales tax by a quarter-percent. Measure Q would ask voters to endorse a new arena, presumably in the railyards.
But when Joe Maloof took to the podium, he suggested the possibility that the arena could be built elsewhere even if the sales tax measures are adopted.
Reading from a prepared statement, Maloof seemed to be indicating the negotiations to build in the railyards are not going well.
Joe Maloof's statement:
"We share the vision that everyone here has. The future would be fantastic to have a new arena downtown to revitalize the railyards. But it isn't going to be easy. The site has been vacant for decades because it's such a difficult site to develop. There are a lot of moving parts: The railroad, the developer, the cleanup, and all the work the city and county have got to get done. We believe it can happen, we believe an arena can help make it happen, but we want to make sure the people are aware that we will do our best. If for some reason it can't happen at this site, we may have to consider alternative locations in Sacramento. And we will do that. Our commitment will always be the same: To give our fans the best experience, and to give Sacramento our best effort. Thank you." (To watch Maloof read the statement, click on the video link above)
Maloof left the news conference quickly after his statement. Others were clearly stunned by what he said.
Although the agreement between the Kings and the city and county of Sacramento drafted August 2 allows the possibility the arena could be built elsewhere, it is widely seen as a "worst case" scenario.
Insiders speculate Maloof may be sending a thinly veiled message to the developer of the railyards to improve the negotiating position. But all those connected with the campaign told News10 privately they were very disappointed over the timing and tone of the remarks.
Redevelopment of Sacramento's downtown railyards is a major selling point in the campaign to raise the local sales tax. But Kings owner Joe Maloof is preparing voters for another possibility.
At a news conference kicking off the campaign for Measures Q and R, a series of speakers spoke of the importance of a new arena to the railyards development. Proponents say a downtown arena would spur more than $5 billion in new development. Measure R would raise the county's sales tax by a quarter-percent. Measure Q would ask voters to endorse a new arena, presumably in the railyards.
But when Joe Maloof took to the podium, he suggested the possibility that the arena could be built elsewhere even if the sales tax measures are adopted.
Reading from a prepared statement, Maloof seemed to be indicating the negotiations to build in the railyards are not going well.
Joe Maloof's statement:
"We share the vision that everyone here has. The future would be fantastic to have a new arena downtown to revitalize the railyards. But it isn't going to be easy. The site has been vacant for decades because it's such a difficult site to develop. There are a lot of moving parts: The railroad, the developer, the cleanup, and all the work the city and county have got to get done. We believe it can happen, we believe an arena can help make it happen, but we want to make sure the people are aware that we will do our best. If for some reason it can't happen at this site, we may have to consider alternative locations in Sacramento. And we will do that. Our commitment will always be the same: To give our fans the best experience, and to give Sacramento our best effort. Thank you." (To watch Maloof read the statement, click on the video link above)
Maloof left the news conference quickly after his statement. Others were clearly stunned by what he said.
Although the agreement between the Kings and the city and county of Sacramento drafted August 2 allows the possibility the arena could be built elsewhere, it is widely seen as a "worst case" scenario.
Insiders speculate Maloof may be sending a thinly veiled message to the developer of the railyards to improve the negotiating position. But all those connected with the campaign told News10 privately they were very disappointed over the timing and tone of the remarks.
