Officials hope Maloofs approve of revisions.
By Mary Lynne Vellinga - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, September 29, 2006
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B1
Article can be found here: http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/31229.html
The Kings' owners Thursday received a new arena proposal from the city of Sacramento aimed at bringing the team back on board as supporters of the effort to build an arena in the downtown railyard.
Team representatives would not comment, however, on whether the new plan by well-known arena architect Ellerbe Becket adequately addressed the concerns laid out by brothers Joe and Gavin Maloof when they angrily pulled out of arena talks earlier this month.
"We're going to review it, and that will take us a while," said John Thomas, president of Maloof Sports and Entertainment.
The new plan, commissioned by the city, county and Thomas Enterprises, developer of the downtown railyard, moves the proposed arena slightly to the east to get it nearer to light rail and to address new NBA rules -- sparked by concern about terrorist attacks -- that parking garages be at least 150 feet away from an arena, said Assistant City Manager John Dangberg.
Dangberg declined to discuss other aspects of the new proposal before hearing from the Maloofs. He did, however, say the city would not go along with allowing them to prevent restaurants and other potentially competing uses from opening nearby.
"That's obviously in conflict with our vision," he said. "It's not something we will agree to now or ever."
Joe and Gavin Maloof earlier this month rejected Thomas Enterprises' preliminary proposal for the arena complex, saying the team needs more parking -- the money from 8,000 spaces, to be exact -- control over what businesses locate around the arena, and a bigger site than included in an early drawing.
Joe and Gavin Maloof announced that they were through negotiating until the city, county and developer met their demands on things they claim were promised, even though a preliminary term sheet signed by the Kings and local officials doesn't include them. That dispute sent Thomas Enterprises and negotiators from the city and county of Sacramento scurrying back to the drawing board.
"We're addressing the concerns raised and trying to make this an acceptable plan to all the parties involved," said Suheil Totah, vice president of development for Thomas Enterprises, which recently pledged to contribute $2 million to the campaign for Measures Q and R on the Nov. 7 ballot, which would raise the Sacramento County sales tax by a quarter cent to pay for a new arena.
Dangberg said the negotiators had hoped to sit down with the Kings' owners and present their new plan, but were turned down.
"They said, 'Just send us your (proposed) memorandum of understanding and your site plans and we'll let you know if we want to talk,' " Dangberg said. "We're eager to do that."
About the writer:
The Bee's Mary Lynne Vellinga can be reached at (916) 321-1094 or mlvellinga@sacbee.com.
By Mary Lynne Vellinga - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, September 29, 2006
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B1
Article can be found here: http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/31229.html
The Kings' owners Thursday received a new arena proposal from the city of Sacramento aimed at bringing the team back on board as supporters of the effort to build an arena in the downtown railyard.
Team representatives would not comment, however, on whether the new plan by well-known arena architect Ellerbe Becket adequately addressed the concerns laid out by brothers Joe and Gavin Maloof when they angrily pulled out of arena talks earlier this month.
"We're going to review it, and that will take us a while," said John Thomas, president of Maloof Sports and Entertainment.
The new plan, commissioned by the city, county and Thomas Enterprises, developer of the downtown railyard, moves the proposed arena slightly to the east to get it nearer to light rail and to address new NBA rules -- sparked by concern about terrorist attacks -- that parking garages be at least 150 feet away from an arena, said Assistant City Manager John Dangberg.
Dangberg declined to discuss other aspects of the new proposal before hearing from the Maloofs. He did, however, say the city would not go along with allowing them to prevent restaurants and other potentially competing uses from opening nearby.
"That's obviously in conflict with our vision," he said. "It's not something we will agree to now or ever."
Joe and Gavin Maloof earlier this month rejected Thomas Enterprises' preliminary proposal for the arena complex, saying the team needs more parking -- the money from 8,000 spaces, to be exact -- control over what businesses locate around the arena, and a bigger site than included in an early drawing.
Joe and Gavin Maloof announced that they were through negotiating until the city, county and developer met their demands on things they claim were promised, even though a preliminary term sheet signed by the Kings and local officials doesn't include them. That dispute sent Thomas Enterprises and negotiators from the city and county of Sacramento scurrying back to the drawing board.
"We're addressing the concerns raised and trying to make this an acceptable plan to all the parties involved," said Suheil Totah, vice president of development for Thomas Enterprises, which recently pledged to contribute $2 million to the campaign for Measures Q and R on the Nov. 7 ballot, which would raise the Sacramento County sales tax by a quarter cent to pay for a new arena.
Dangberg said the negotiators had hoped to sit down with the Kings' owners and present their new plan, but were turned down.
"They said, 'Just send us your (proposed) memorandum of understanding and your site plans and we'll let you know if we want to talk,' " Dangberg said. "We're eager to do that."
About the writer:
The Bee's Mary Lynne Vellinga can be reached at (916) 321-1094 or mlvellinga@sacbee.com.