Well, it's over. Get your goodbyes ready

[folsomfella]

The Cal Expo Board voted today against moving the State Fair to the site of Arco Arena in North Natomas. The move was envisioned by developer Gerry Kamilos and his partners as a key part of a complicated land swap that would result in construction of a new Kings arena in the downtown railyard.
But the Cal Expo board members said the North Natomas land is not suitable for the state fair, as it is too small and lacks the visibility of the current State Fair site on Business 80.
Downtown developer David Taylor, who has been working with Kamilos, said the group proposing the land swap was already working on an alternative plan to get a new Kings arena built in the downtown arena, perhaps by developing the current Arco Arena site and using the proceeds for an arena in the railyard.
Speaking for Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, special assistant R.E. Graswich called the vote a “significant setback” for the arena plan. But he pointed out that the mayor had said from the beginning that the three-way land swap was a long shot. Under an exclusive negotiating agreement with the city, the Kamilos team has 30 days to come back with an alternative plan.


Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/09/24/3054379/cal-expo-board-rejects-land-swap.html#ixzz10U6OrDJa​

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Downtown developer David Taylor, who has been working with Kamilos, said the group proposing the land swap was already working on an alternative plan to get a new Kings arena built in the downtown arena, perhaps by developing the current Arco Arena site and using the proceeds for an arena in the railyard.

This part of your quote would seem to suggest that it's not exactly over yet. It's not like everybody has given up.

The convergence plan is/was kind of neat and clever, but its biggest drawback was always that it relied on the Cal Expo board, who was unlikely to approve it. Well, they didn't approve it. I'm sure that between Taylor/Kamilos and the other proposals put forward, there will be several more tries before it's time to get our goodbyes ready.

 

[Larry David]

There are now zero proposals with viable financing. After 10 years, we are back to square one again. The plan that the NBA proposed failed. As did an NBA endorsed reboot of that plan. I’d say the odds of papers being filed March 1 are about 90%

 

[kennadog]

I'll save my goodbyes for the day they actually file moving papers, thank you.

 

[Tetsujin]

I'll save my goodbyes for the day they actually file moving papers, thank you.

Same here. Let's not shutter the store just yet.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

There are now zero proposals with viable financing. After 10 years, we are back to square one again. The plan that the NBA proposed failed. As did an NBA endorsed reboot of that plan. I’d say the odds of papers being filed March 1 are about 90%

But you are a notorious pessimist, and other people should probably take that into account when evaluating your guess.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

There are now zero proposals with viable financing. After 10 years, we are back to square one again. The plan that the NBA proposed failed. As did an NBA endorsed reboot of that plan. I’d say the odds of papers being filed March 1 are about 90%

TURN OUT THE LIGHTS...THE PARTY'S OVER!!!

 

[VF21]

I'll save my goodbyes for the day they actually file moving papers, thank you.

Exactly. It's almost like some people can't wait to be the first to put the final nail in the coffin.

 

[Warhawk]

Exactly. It's almost like some people can't wait to be the first to put the final nail in the coffin.

Same here. the Maloofs have been absolutely steadfast in their support of Sacramento and have stated repeatedly that they want to stay here. There are still some very intelligent folks working on developing a plan to build a new arena. Let's give them a chance to keep working a while, huh? In this economy the Kings are not moving to another city right away. Yes, we need to come up with something soon, but I don't think the Maloofs are selling the home in Sacramento just yet......

 

[Larry David]

But you are a notorious pessimist, and other people should probably take that into account when evaluating your guess.

That's fair. They should also take into account that, to this point, my "negative" reading of have often proved much closer to correct than the optimists.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Same here. the Maloofs have been absolutely steadfast in their support of Sacramento and have stated repeatedly that they want to stay here. There are still some very intelligent folks working on developing a plan to build a new arena. Let's give them a chance to keep working a while, huh? In this economy the Kings are not moving to another city right away. Yes, we need to come up with something soon, but I don't think the Maloofs are selling the home in Sacramento just yet......

Well, unless David Taylor can drum up $400 million in the next 6 months or so, I dont see the Maloofs hanging around for too much longer. Yes, there's always hope...but this is like strike #7. There are literally NO plans left on the table, and time is running out. I just hate the fact that the 'special assistant' Graswich is probably laughing his *** off in his Hawaiian shirt right now. I guess he got his wish, he always thought the Kings/Maloofs were no good for Sacramento. Back to the future baby...it's about to be 1978 all over again!

 

[NewKingsFan916]

Sickening, truly sickening.

I swear this city is forever cursed with grandiose plans that always fall through.

The problem we keep running in to paths where too few people have way too much power. The very small cal expo board had power to destroy a potential huge boom to the Sacramento economy. How ridiculous is that? A few people just shot down a great plan that would of effected the lives of over 2 million people and possibly costs us a NBA franchise and potentially a kick start in the Railyard development.

Words can't describe how angry I am right now.

 

[Tetsujin]

Well, unless David Taylor can drum up $400 million in the next 6 months or so, I dont see the Maloofs hanging around for too much longer. Yes, there's always hope...but this is like strike #7. There are literally NO plans left on the table, and time is running out. I just hate the fact that the 'special assistant' Graswich is probably laughing his *** off in his Hawaiian shirt right now. I guess he got his wish, he always thought the Kings/Maloofs were no good for Sacramento. Back to the future baby...it's about to be 1978 all over again!

It's a good thing that the other special assistant isn't Marcos Breton or else the city would be actively campaigning for the Kings to move.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

It's a good thing that the other special assistant isn't Marcos Breton or else the city would be actively campaigning for the Kings to move.

What are you talking about, Breton was actually FOR the land swap and the Kings!

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/cal_expo_board_of_directors_vote.html

Statement From Kings Co-Owner Joe Maloof on Cal Expo Board of Directors Vote

“We must continue to work hard to find a solution. We look forward to hearing what are the next steps and options. Right now we are focused on our exciting upcoming season.”

 

[Tetsujin]

What are you talking about, Breton was actually FOR the land swap and the Kings!

Ah yes that's true. He was against nearly all five thousand other plans that were cropping up however.

 

[JB_kings]

It's really sad that Sacramento can't find a way to do something for it's own good.

 

[GameBall]

I'll save my goodbyes for the day they actually file moving papers, thank you.

Agreed.

 

[PurpleHaze]

My thread a week ago was entitled, "Land Swap shot down by consultant - Strike one!" This is a BIG strike two. Strike three (yerrr out!) would no doubt occur in March - which is NOW very likely - tragically. I just hope the voters wise up (RISE UP!) to finally realize as has been pointed out repeatedly, certain members of the Sac city council and county board of supervisors (among other local powers that be) have been the biggest road block in getting a new arena built, somewhere, anywhere, from day one.

 

[Trueblood]

Well, unless David Taylor can drum up $400 million in the next 6 months or so, I dont see the Maloofs hanging around for too much longer. Yes, there's always hope...but this is like strike #7. There are literally NO plans left on the table, and time is running out. I just hate the fact that the 'special assistant' Graswich is probably laughing his *** off in his Hawaiian shirt right now. I guess he got his wish, he always thought the Kings/Maloofs were no good for Sacramento. Back to the future baby...it's about to be 1978 all over again!

Yeah, this guy was appointed to be KJ's assistant but you can see a very smug and satisfied look on his face both times he was interviewed in the last 3 days when the consultant first came out and then again today. I'm sure he was brought in by KJ to keep his trap shut and not oppose this plan and now that it's dead in the water, he's back to showing his true colors.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Yeah, this guy was appointed to be KJ's assistant but you can see a very smug and satisfied look on his face both times he was interviewed in the last 3 days when the consultant first came out and then again today. I'm sure he was brought in by KJ to keep his trap shut and not oppose this plan and now that it's dead in the water, he's back to showing his true colors.

You're not kidding! This guy can take a long jump off a short pier if you ask me. He's totally content with Sacramento being stuck in a 1970's mentality...and getting his wish too. It's just sad, really sad...

 

[VF21]

Well, unless David Taylor can drum up $400 million in the next 6 months or so, I dont see the Maloofs hanging around for too much longer. Yes, there's always hope...but this is like strike #7. There are literally NO plans left on the table, and time is running out. I just hate the fact that the 'special assistant' Graswich is probably laughing his *** off in his Hawaiian shirt right now. I guess he got his wish, he always thought the Kings/Maloofs were no good for Sacramento. Back to the future baby...it's about to be 1978 all over again!

Come on, Circa. You've been pessimistic about the Maloofs EVER getting an arena right from the beginning. You've always said - and I quote - "I don't see the Maloofs hanging around too much longer."

As far as time running out and absolutely no plans left on the table, I think you're leaping to a conclusion without knowing all the facts. There may well be a couple of more plans "on the table" ...

I still absolutely refuse to accept the notion that the Maloofs are going to simply load up and drive off into the sunset. These discussions always give me a migraine, however, so I'm not going to continue to try and point out the pluses. There are others here who can do that much better than I.

I'm looking forward to the coming season...and I'm very excited to see our young Kings take the court. One other thing to consider? With the CBA renegotations looming on the horizon, the thing we should really be worried about is whether or not ANY players will be playing anywhere. You know?

 

[BMiller52]

Cal Expo can go to hell. I don't give a damn about a bunch of stupid little horses running around a track 500 times like a nascar, seriously who is retarded enough to actually care about that anyway? Instead the people running the craptastic state fair get off on the fact they just screwed over 2 million+ people's hopes of keeping the NBA team around and stopped a bunch of jobs/economic development from happening in the rail yards. These people are greedy bastards and this makes me mad.

I hope something can be worked out to get an arena here but I doubt it. If the Kings move to San Jose I'll still be a fan. I'll understand if they leave Sacramento. Sac as a city just SUCKS.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Come on, Circa. You've been pessimistic about the Maloofs EVER getting an arena right from the beginning. You've always said - and I quote - "I don't see the Maloofs hanging around too much longer."

As far as time running out and absolutely no plans left on the table, I think you're leaping to a conclusion without knowing all the facts. There may well be a couple of more plans "on the table" ...

I still absolutely refuse to accept the notion that the Maloofs are going to simply load up and drive off into the sunset. These discussions always give me a migraine, however, so I'm not going to continue to try and point out the pluses. There are others here who can do that much better than I.

I'm looking forward to the coming season...and I'm very excited to see our young Kings take the court. One other thing to consider? With the CBA renegotations looming on the horizon, the thing we should really be worried about is whether or not ANY players will be playing anywhere. You know?

The Kamilos plan was absolute last bid, the final straw of "viable" straws in the pipeline. All other competing arena plans were rejected when his vision got a sign off to proceed. Because the other plans had NO financing arrangement at all, Kamilos was able to at least get several US and international partners with some deep pockets to commit "IF" - the BIG IF - the land swap was approved by Cal Expo board. Kamilos sounded resigned today and like he's now back to square one - not good at all. There's no way to sugar coat it - this is really bad news. Strike two, three, six or seven -reality says it's likely the end.

Unfortunately, this looming trainwreck is now steaming towards some kind of bad news climax. And yes, I too get migranes thinking about what a frustrating long process it's been. No, the Maloof's don't want to leave, maybe they can't afford to do anything, maybe the league will force their hand to move or sell the Kings. Most likely they will simply sell the team to someone like Larry Ellison who will put the franchise in Anaheim, somewhere in Bay Area, or perhaps elsewhere on the planet. The eccentric Oracle zillionaire has homes in Malibu and Redwood Shores, so probably would want to be located in Cali - but definitely not Sac. Wait a second, 'ol Lar is one of the top 3-4 richest men in USA. Why not he buys the Kings and builds the new arena himself out of his incredibily deep pockets. Yippee, that's the ticket!!

Meanwhile, I too plan to really enjoy what very likely will be the last Kings basketball in Sactown this season. Sad, so sad, but true.

 

[BMiller52]

The Kamilos plan was absolute last bid, the final straw of "viable" straws in the pipeline. All other competing arena plans were rejected when his vision got a sign off to proceed. Because the other plans had NO financing arrangement at all, Kamilos was able to at least get several US and international partners with some deep pockets to commit "IF" - the BIG IF - the land swap was approved by Cal Expo board. Kamilos sounded resigned today and like he's now back to square one - not good at all. There's no way to sugar coat it - this is really bad news. Strike two, three, six or seven -reality says it's likely the end.

Unfortunately, this looming trainwreck is now steaming towards some kind of bad news climax. And yes, I too get migranes thinking about what a frustrating long process it's been. No, the Maloof's don't want to leave, maybe they can't afford to do anything, maybe the league will force their hand to move or sell the Kings. Most likely they will simply sell the team to someone like Larry Ellison who will put the franchise in Anaheim, somewhere in Bay Area, or perhaps elsewhere on the planet. The eccentric Oracle zillionaire has homes in Malibu and Redwood Shores, so probably would want to be located in Cali - but definitely not Sac. Wait a second, 'ol Lar is one of the top 3-4 richest men in USA. Why not he buys the Kings and builds the new arena himself out of his incredibily deep pockets. Yippee, that's the ticket!!

Meanwhile, I too plan to really enjoy what very likely will be the last Kings basketball in Sactown this season. Sad, so sad, but true.

At this point I'll root for the Kings even if they move to Anaheim or SJ. It's not their fault everyone who has any political power in Sacramento is completely worthless and selfish and this city is run by a bunch of greedy backwards politicians and greedy backwards citizens who just want to stay in the 70s.

 

[BradC79]

The sad part is is u have all these city council members sitting there going let them leave we will just get another team, but if the kings leave the nba will never come back here never. Not even if we built a brand new arena three years after the kings left. The good thing is though yes Kansas City,St. Louis, San Jose yes they all have arenas built right now but do the maloofs want to live in Kansas City? No. I know I know they live in Vegas most of the time but still. It is going to take the Maloofs to say ok we are leaving for the city to say oh crap we better approve a plan. It will take the Maloofs having to blackmail the city of Sacramento with saying build us something or we leave. The Giants did the same thing back in 93 with the threat of moving to St. Petersburg and it got them a brand new ballpark.

I think in the end they are just going to end up reneovating arco or tearing it down and building a new arena right where it stands now. The Maloofs own the land so why not.

 

[BradC79]

Also with the economy the way it is now no way they leave. They know it is real hard to get anything built in this economy and I think with the Mayor we have this will get done somehow someway. Honestly we knew this land swap was a long shot to begin with. Cal Expo board had to do what was best for the state fair and it just wasnt enough land out in the Natomas site to justify moving. They had to do whats best for Cal Expo. Also though the developers have another plan in place they plan to take to the city council as early as tuesday. Have faith everyone have faith and think positive.

 

[Bricklayer]

Also with the economy the way it is now no way they leave. They know it is real hard to get anything built in this economy and I think with the Mayor we have this will get done somehow someway. Honestly we knew this land swap was a long shot to begin with. Cal Expo board had to do what was best for the state fair and it just wasnt enough land out in the Natomas site to justify moving. They had to do whats best for Cal Expo. Also though the developers have another plan in place they plan to take to the city council as early as tuesday. Have faith everyone have faith and think positive.

With the economy the way it is right now = even more reason to leave. While Sacramneto has blundered and bungled its way right back into the cowtown status its residents pretend to bristle at but seem to actually embrace, other cities across the west have done their work already, built stadiums, and have to do nothing more for the Maloofs than offer them the keys to something already built and ready. Built and ready without even a team to build it for. Each and every day the Maloofs stay in Sacto at this point the residents of that city should send them thank you letters, because there is absolutely no reason for them to persist outside of pure loyalty. Its all a favor at this point. If I were them, I would already have left, and I was born and raised there.

 

[Trueblood]

The sad part is is u have all these city council members sitting there going let them leave we will just get another team, but if the kings leave the nba will never come back here never. Not even if we built a brand new arena three years after the kings left. The good thing is though yes Kansas City,St. Louis, San Jose yes they all have arenas built right now but do the maloofs want to live in Kansas City? No. I know I know they live in Vegas most of the time but still. It is going to take the Maloofs to say ok we are leaving for the city to say oh crap we better approve a plan. It will take the Maloofs having to blackmail the city of Sacramento with saying build us something or we leave. The Giants did the same thing back in 93 with the threat of moving to St. Petersburg and it got them a brand new ballpark.

I think in the end they are just going to end up reneovating arco or tearing it down and building a new arena right where it stands now. The Maloofs own the land so why not.

The problem with the Giants analogy is that the team was up for sale and the new owner had a plan to privately finance a new stadium himself. If Larry Ellison wanted to build a new arena in Sacramento with his own money and the Maloofs were willing to sell to him then I would be optimistic but from everything I hear, that's not gonna happen. If Ellison were to buy the team, he would move it to San Jose.

Unless there is someone willing to privately finance a new arena and the Maloofs are willing to sell to this hypothetical person, a Giants scenario won't be happening.

 

[Trueblood]

Come on, Circa. You've been pessimistic about the Maloofs EVER getting an arena right from the beginning. You've always said - and I quote - "I don't see the Maloofs hanging around too much longer."

As far as time running out and absolutely no plans left on the table, I think you're leaping to a conclusion without knowing all the facts. There may well be a couple of more plans "on the table" ...

I still absolutely refuse to accept the notion that the Maloofs are going to simply load up and drive off into the sunset. These discussions always give me a migraine, however, so I'm not going to continue to try and point out the pluses. There are others here who can do that much better than I.

I'm looking forward to the coming season...and I'm very excited to see our young Kings take the court. One other thing to consider? With the CBA renegotations looming on the horizon, the thing we should really be worried about is whether or not ANY players will be playing anywhere. You know?

Well, I've always said that the possible lockout buys the Kings an extra year of trying to get something done here. Larry David mentioned that it would make for the best time to skip out of town but I think the reverse. It's the worst time to introduce yourself to a new market. I have to think that it would be tough to sell season tickets to a market with no season ticket base to start from but instead a bunch of millionaires and billionaires bickering over money.