Latest from stern on Maloof's relocation plans

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#3
I have absolutely no idea what he was talking about. For all I know it might have been about my latest efforts to seduce my wife.

It's an 11 second clip. What's the point?
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#12
It'll be starring Cousins with Jim Gray, as Cousins reveals "This fall, I'll be taking my talents to.....the Sacramento River?" Cue camera to a shot of the railyards by the river as a homeless guy waddles past.

It'd be amazing.
BTW, does anyone have a picture of the railyards? I don't know what is being talked about except in generalities from comments on this forum.
 
#18
another thing that i didnt think about, if the downtown arena and riverwalk complex entertainment center along the river is created, maybe that will get rid of sacs reputation as a boring town and attract free agents like other big market cities....i mean if the arena/riverwalk project includes nightlife like bars and clubs and stuff what would sac lack that other big cities have? im sure there are other factors but it would be a step in that direction. it could maybe give sac a much more "livelier" reputation and in the future sac could add the other elements that could make this a major city
 
#19
another thing that i didnt think about, if the downtown arena and riverwalk complex entertainment center along the river is created, maybe that will get rid of sacs reputation as a boring town and attract free agents like other big market cities....i mean if the arena/riverwalk project includes nightlife like bars and clubs and stuff what would sac lack that other big cities have? im sure there are other factors but it would be a step in that direction. it could maybe give sac a much more "livelier" reputation and in the future sac could add the other elements that could make this a major city
I've never understood the negative stigma about Sacramento. Granted Sacramento itself isn't a hotbed of excitement but it's location is ideal, i would think. It's close to Reno, Tahoe, Napa, and San Francisco. There's plenty of things to do in the area if you don't mind a little drive, which shouldn't be a problem for NBA players. Plus Sacramento has great weather (by most people's standards, too hot and dry for me). I really don't understand how cities like Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Memphis, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Minneapolis, Orlando, or Charlotte are supposed to be more attractive destinations than Sacramento. I don't get it. What have they got in any of those cities that's so special?
 
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#20
I've never understood the negative stigma about Sacramento. Granted Sacramento itself isn't a hotbed of excitement but it's location is ideal, i would think. It's close to Reno, Tahoe, Napa, and San Francisco. There's plenty of things to do in the area if you don't mind a little drive, which shouldn't be a problem for NBA players. Plus Sacramento has great weather (by most people's standards, too hot and dry for me). I really don't understand how cities like Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Memphis, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Minneapolis, Orlando, or Charlotte are supposed to be more attractive destinations than Sacramento. I don't get it. What have they got in any of those cities that's so special?
Soul food.
 
#21
I once asked a few NBA players I got to know pretty well (Kings and opposition) back in mid 80s and early 90s what they thought of Sacramento as far as a big town (or city). They almost all called it things like quiet or boring, probably nice place to raise a family (most were single), nice outdoor activities (rafting, fishing, hunting, biking, etc.), nice weather, red neck. When I asked some of the ones who responded "red neck" they said while not necessarily blatantly "racist" it was not a place blacks (most of the players being black) felt comfortable or at least a bit wary beyond urban city limits. Of course, they had some negative and positive things to say about all the other NBA cities. I recall a lot of them liked Atlanta a lot. Deep southern city but with a huge black population and lots of black urban businesses, soul food restaurants, hip black clubs, etc. Chris Webber sold his Granite Bay home and retired to a sprawling multi-million dollar estate near Atlanta. I'm sure CWebb has no ill will whatsoever towards Sac. For me it's decent place overall to live but if a visitor I think I'd be bored stiff most of the time here.
 
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Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
#22
I'm sure they would be. They've been vacant for decades, I think. They're just an eyesore at this pint.
I think some of them were going to be renovated and reused for whatever new commercial entities might come in. Yep, there was something in the Bee about it a while back and according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_Railyards:

The project features the preservation and partial reuse of the "Central Shops" buildings originally used for railroad maintenance and the Southern Pacific Depot. One of the Central Shops will be refitted into a public marketplace. A railroad museum and a performing arts center is also planned.
From http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/29/v-mobile/3361308_outside-planners-give-sacramento.html:


The buildings, even empty, are impressive: majestic brick structures with vaulted ceilings, arched windows and artifacts hearkening back to Sacramento's locomotive era.

As soon as roads are built there next year, Sacramento should hold events to introduce people to the historic shop buildings, considered among the most dramatic structures in Sacramento, panel members said.

Suggestions included farmers markets, festivals, Jazz Jubilee venues, and organizing a "Friends of the Shops" group to promote reuse of the buildings.

"It's really an opportunity for a wow factor," said Marlene Gafrick, planning director for the city of Houston.
 
#23
some of those buildings should absolutely stay. ive always thought of a farmers market in a renovated building like that. the current amtrak station is being relocated closer to those buildings and the last arena deal was supposed to be where the amtrak station is right now
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#24
I've never understood the negative stigma about Sacramento. Granted Sacramento itself isn't a hotbed of excitement but it's location is ideal, i would think. It's close to Reno, Tahoe, Napa, and San Francisco. There's plenty of things to do in the area if you don't mind a little drive, which shouldn't be a problem for NBA players. Plus Sacramento has great weather (by most people's standards, too hot and dry for me). I really don't understand how cities like Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Memphis, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Cleveland, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Minneapolis, Orlando, or Charlotte are supposed to be more attractive destinations than Sacramento. I don't get it. What have they got in any of those cities that's so special?
I wrote a very long note a few days ago but you missed it. I'll look for it. The difference in the people of here to MInneapolis is incredible. But I'll find the note. You could look also if you have the energy. BTW, I'm leaving this area. Taking the first boat out, so to speak. I have always hated this area because of the attitudes of the people. Anti-growth and isolated. Antagonistic and mistrusting. That's a generalization but as it is MY reaction and as I'm the one leavingleaving, it seems very real to me. It's not up for argument as it is one person's reaction built on decades of living here.

Wikipedia Mineapolis and see what you find. The problem that I have seen from a lot of people in the area is that they are content to think Sacramento is great because it is between Bay Area and Tahoe but have been nowhere else and can hardly be bothered.

My dislike for this area is very high.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#25
I once asked a few NBA players I got to know pretty well (Kings and opposition) back in mid 80s and early 90s what they thought of Sacramento as far as a big town (or city). They almost all called it things like quiet or boring, probably nice place to raise a family (most were single), nice outdoor activities (rafting, fishing, hunting, biking, etc.), nice weather, red neck. When I asked some of the ones who responded "red neck" they said while not necessarily blatantly "racist" it was not a place blacks (most of the players being black) felt comfortable or at least a bit wary beyond urban city limits. Of course, they had some negative and positive things to say about all the other NBA cities. I recall a lot of them liked Atlanta a lot. Deep southern city but with a huge black population and lots of black urban businesses, soul food restaurants, hip black clubs, etc. Chris Webber sold his Granite Bay home and retired to a sprawling multi-million dollar estate near Atlanta. I'm sure CWebb has no ill will whatsoever towards Sac. For me it's decent place overall to live but if a visitor I think I'd be bored stiff most of the time here.
I see Atlanta as being a close to Minneapolis as any southern city could be. That's just an impression. Big industry, young, full of entertainment, forward thinking or so it seems.

Sacramento is boring. Yes.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#26
RookieOfTheDay, here it is. BTW, and you can take this as personally as you wish, I find your attitude to be characteristic of the area. I really wonder if can know what some of us see as negative when you seem to be negative to outsiders like the Maloofs. You are Sacramento. I give you great credit for curiosity if you are sincere.

I don't find that many people in Sacramento care to hear what other people think of their city because it is usually not kind. Here it is though. It's only one other city but it's one I have lived in for a long time. It is beautiful. It is filled with lakes and greenery. Look it up on a map. Look at pictures. Look outward and suffer when you see the comparison. You'll see why the Lakers, who came from Minneapolis, are called the Lakers. I had a memorable hot day floating on an innertube from Lake of the Isles to one of the bigger lakes that I'll never forget as most lakes are not connected. This was a unique connecting creek. Just a very small creek, a beautiful young lady, and two inner tubes. Four hours of lazy floating through the greenery of trees and grass. Ahhhhh!

I'm white but I can understand a little from an African American view point. Shoot me if I am wrong but there doesn't seem to be a huge African American middle class here. It is a city of pockets. Asians, Mexicans-Americans, African Americans, Russians, etc. I am not being a bigot to say that like stays with like and may see others as unfriendly. I know that when I go to south Sac I feel like I am in another world and it is not mine. My Asian wife doesn't react the same. :)

I guess the big question is why am I here. I went to school in Minneapolis and Eau Claire, WI and my best friend of the time was married to a Sacramento native. He finished school ahead of me and moved here. I went into the Navy and then looked around the country as to where I should go. He made it easy to set up practice here. It's difficult to move once your business is settled here. I'm now retired and free to live and die where I wish. BTW, he went back to Minneapolis 15 years ago. He couldn't stand Sacramento and missed Minneapolis.

My entire family of fairly bright people have never left the area. The furthest anyone has gone is me and one brother in Green Bay. Nobody leaves and they are not fools. Within 100 miles of Rochester I have 4 close cousins, a sister and brother, a step mother who I adore and nieces and nephews who I have only briefly met. Expand out further and you find my best friend and more relatives.

"Hey, Jim Les, another reason why my comparison of Minneapolis to Sacramento is unfair. I've always known there is a lot of private money there as their museums, concert halls, are put up with big, big, donations from private companies like Target, Pillsbury, Xcel, General Mills, etc. These companies are located all around the immediate area. 19 Fortune 1000 companies are in the area which includes the suburbs despite the demise of a few like NWA. They tend to want their names on little signs as donors to projects like museums, theaters, zoos, concert halls and the like. It's a different world. Actually I am surprised there are so many for such a small area but its a place where private money flows. Between Mpls. and St. Paul there are 1.5 mil people. Take in the suburbs and you may get to 4 mil max which is less than twice as big as the Sacramento area. It acts far bigger than that.

Twin Cities are the 15th biggest media area and Sacramento is 20th. I am not positive as to the ranking but this is good enough for the purposes of what I am saying.

The people are different. It may have to do with the heavy German, Irish, and Scandinavian population (European). It's changing. People are homogeneous in their ancestry. It also may have to do with the weather. People become interdependent. In Minneapolis if you get stuck in the snow, people come to help you out. I have interviewed people looking to relocate and they mention the people. In California if your car breaks down, people whiz by thinking you are going to mug them.

You can always strike up a conversation with a stranger as the weather binds people together. At the very least, you have a shared experience with that stranger.

This is not a criticism of Sacramento. It is meant to be more of an explanation of the uphill battle we have to fight to keep the Kings and perhaps even a bit of "why".

It is what it is and a government town may be sleepier than another kind of town. As a matter of fact, St. Paul (the size of Sacto), the capital of Minnesota, is more a sleepy little town than Minneapolis. Immigrants settled in Minnesota and created communities. That occurred on a grand scale in the Twin Cities with one group settling in St. Paul and another in Minneapolis. The cities at least at their inception were homogeneous.

That is not true in Sacramento. In Sacramento there is no sense of identity - there is no "we-ness" in Sacto. We live in our homes with our carefully walled off pieces of property so we won't be bothered by our neighbors. Where I lived all over the Twin Cities, there were no fences. Just pieces of grass that melded with your neighbor. We knew what was ours to mow, though. Once a neighbor was mowing his lawn and simply did mine also just because he could. (True story) I have shoveled my neighbor's sidewalk because once the snow blower is cranked up, you just keep on truckin.'

Mpls. was once rated the best city to live in by Forbes and Sacramento was listed as one of the 10 worst. Little town Rochester, MN (I grew up in my early years 15 miles from Rochester - that's home to me) was also rated #1 one year. So which comes first, the chicken or the egg, the facilities or the businesses. In the Twin Cities it is the business and probably that's life. On the other hand why would a business have a headquarters in Sacramento where there is nothing to do.

Getting an arena built is going to be very difficult. We start with one foot in a hole. It's unfortunate and to me, a bit sad. I've lived here a long time.

In fact, as my life is at a cross roads and if the Kings leave, I may go home. My filipina wife has never seen snow but she is not against it at all as she has been back there with me - in the summer."​
The end of the my saga in Sacramento will come in roughly two years when my wife finishes her next degree. I will move back to Rochester. That's a big move but I am so damn happy to be leaving. I can't describe how happy I am in just looking forward to it. The only thing I will miss is my doctor but I am sure the Mayo Clinic has good doctors. :)

I will always be a Kings fan.
 
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#28
Great map which shows why the Sac/West Sac (Yolo county) partnership makes a ton of sense. Both a have ton of open prime real estate, but lack the project to drive it.

Also, the part of West Sacramento accross from the I street bridge is some of the worst parts of West Sacramento. Not only would West Sacramento get to develop their "Triangle" into a their best asset, but they money and development would come over the river.
 

Glenn

Hall of Famer
#29
I don't know about anyone else, but a Super Sports and Entertainment Complex there will be absolutely gorgeous. :) Goodness I hope they can get this done!!
It seems like this is an ideal place to build for Sacramento and West Sac. 75% of the season ticket holders are not from Sacramento itelf but the surrounding area. There is going to be a problem with that. I am excited about the development of Sacto but only because it may mean that the Kings don't leave. Otherwise, I don't care.
 
#30
It seems like this is an ideal place to build for Sacramento and West Sac. 75% of the season ticket holders are not from Sacramento itelf but the surrounding area. There is going to be a problem with that. I am excited about the development of Sacto but only because it may mean that the Kings don't leave. Otherwise, I don't care.
With I-5 a few hundred yards away and 80, 50, 99, Business 80 a couple of miles away its not a bad location. It's a "problem" for the people that are used to shooting in and out of a huge parking lot on game night. This would be more like a game night for an downtown arena, which is the majority the venues at this point. That means people come down early and eat downtown to beat traffic, or stay a grab a drink or bite after for the same reason. For the team and Sacramento, that's certainly not a "problem."

The traffic that fans will gripe about ends up being great for both the team and the city