Bee: Kings arena at Cal Expo?
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Interesting. Is this the same Brian May who reports sports?
Since the Bee report is clearly labeled "EXCLUSIVE" it could well mean they've been given access to information May hasn't seen yet. And, considering the way her sources are cited in the article, I have to assume that MaryLynne is on pretty firm ground. The Bee doesn't run front page stories like this without covering themselves as far as source legitimacy is concerned. Her editor knows who the source is and okayed the story so I'm guessing May's just upset because the Bee scooped them.
Since the Bee report is clearly labeled "EXCLUSIVE" it could well mean they've been given access to information May hasn't seen yet. And, considering the way her sources are cited in the article, I have to assume that MaryLynne is on pretty firm ground. The Bee doesn't run front page stories like this without covering themselves as far as source legitimacy is concerned. Her editor knows who the source is and okayed the story so I'm guessing May's just upset because the Bee scooped them.
That KCRA report looks like the standard non-denial speech. The Cal-Expo location is not the best in terms of traffic, but it may have to be the site of choice to keep the team. They may have found a way to get funding through using a state owned property and get away from voter approval. I'm guessing that they couldn't do the same with the Natomas site or any other city or county owned land. Cal-Expo has to be licking there chops because this will get them some cash infusion to update their facility.
Cal Expo as a possible arena site is not news, it's been reported in the Bee before. The NBA possibly favoring it is the news. It's a no-brainer as a potential site. During the State Fair more than 50,000 people access Cal Expo in a single day - the Kings crowd would be nothing.
The story didn't mention that the city would be shutout of revenue, but hopefully that will be the case. They don't deserve a nickel after that last debacle.
The story didn't mention that the city would be shutout of revenue, but hopefully that will be the case. They don't deserve a nickel after that last debacle.
There is not that much unused land around Cal Expo. The overflow parking area next to the Capital City Freeway is probably where they are thinking the arena could go, but then what do you use for parking when the main parking lots along Exposition Blvd get filled up? A parking structure would have to be part of the plan.
I would also hope that they build some 'light rail' into the plans for this new arena - wherever it may end up. Many folks have a sort of cowboy mentality about their cars & trucks - that they're never going to degrade themselves using 'public transportation.' But when public transportation is convenient - i.e. cheaper and more efficient than driving in gridlock - even cowboys find a way to adapt. Meanwhile there are plenty of folks who will use light rail if/when it's there.
I don't think noise will be a problem with an arena at Cal Expo - such as in the case of the amphitheater that used to be there. And a new arena would breed new life into the Cal Expo area - which is fairly close to downtown and just across the river from midtown. With a downtown arena clearly not in the plans, I think the Cal Expo plan is the next best thing. But, it's going to require:
a) an well-designed expansion of light rail
b) some improvements to the traffic problem that already exists (ideas, anyone?)
c) a new high capacity parking structure at Cal Expo, and
d) later event times
I would also hope that they build some 'light rail' into the plans for this new arena - wherever it may end up. Many folks have a sort of cowboy mentality about their cars & trucks - that they're never going to degrade themselves using 'public transportation.' But when public transportation is convenient - i.e. cheaper and more efficient than driving in gridlock - even cowboys find a way to adapt. Meanwhile there are plenty of folks who will use light rail if/when it's there.
I don't think noise will be a problem with an arena at Cal Expo - such as in the case of the amphitheater that used to be there. And a new arena would breed new life into the Cal Expo area - which is fairly close to downtown and just across the river from midtown. With a downtown arena clearly not in the plans, I think the Cal Expo plan is the next best thing. But, it's going to require:
a) an well-designed expansion of light rail
b) some improvements to the traffic problem that already exists (ideas, anyone?)
c) a new high capacity parking structure at Cal Expo, and
d) later event times