CalExpo Board of Directors to consider New NBA Arena at CalExpo

[VF21]

The following is the text of a press release issued today by the California Exposition and State Fair:

Cal Expo Board of Directors to Consider New NBA Arena at Cal Expo

Q&A with Cal Expo and NBA Consultants to Immediately Follow Public Discussion

WHAT: At its Friday Board Meeting, the Cal Expo Board of Directors will consider the request of Moag & Company (on behalf of the National Basketball Association (NBA)) to begin formal discussions about developing a new arena and entertainment facility on the Cal Expo grounds. The board meeting agenda specifies that Cal Expo will consider a new arena as well as “further development of the Cal Expo property as a state-of-the-art mixed use and entertainment destination.”

WHEN: Friday, September 28, 9:30 a.m.

The Cal Expo Board Meeting will recess at the Board’s discretion immediately after the NBA discussion to allow for media Q&A. The Board Meeting will reconvene in the Cal Expo Administration Building after lunch to complete additional agenda items.

WHERE: Expo Center Building 3, Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA

Members of the public should park in Lot B or C and enter through the Main Gate. Media should check-in at the Cal Expo Media Center to be escorted to the media staging area.

ADD’L INFO: All Cal Expo Board Meetings are open to the general public and subject to The Bagley-Keene Act. To view the Board Meeting Agenda and other items related to the meeting, including public comment and participation guidelines, please visit the Cal Expo website at www.calexpo.com.

 

[Purple Reign]

I don't know about anybody else, but I like the feel of this effort. Much more than I like Measures Q and R. And it is all because who is at the table. It is clear to me that Cal Expo needs to get something done. The State Government would like to get something done. The NBA would like to get something done, and the "arena cancer" (Fargo, Dickerson, Fong, Maloofs, Developers, City Council, County Board of Supervisors) is not involved.......YET.

But this feels different.

 

[Warhawk]

I can't see how Cal Expo would be the best option for this. I just can't. Not with the traffic issues and lack of light rail. Maybe I'm missing something.....

 

[kupman]

I can't see how Cal Expo would be the best option for this. I just can't. Not with the traffic issues and lack of light rail. Maybe I'm missing something.....

I think that Cal Expo will be the best option due to financial considerations. We will not know for sure until the financial plan is developed and released, but it seems to me that financing is driving the Cal Expo site.

The traffic issue:

I wonder how much of a problem this will be. If games start at 7:30 pm, most commuters will not be impacted. If the Bus. 80 traffic becomes heavy starting say around 3:30 - 4:00 pm, most commuters will be through the bottleneck by 6:30 pm. Game traffic will not begin to get heavy until approximately 7 pm. Furthermore, many fans do not reach the game until mid-way through the first half now, meaning that they will be pulling into the lot between 7:30 - 8pm.

It may be the traffic thing is getting blown out of proportion. But even if it is not - welcome to living in a big city. Heavy traffic goes with the territory.

 

[Tarindel]

Cal Expo is a horrible place for a new arena unless they can do something about the traffic situation. Those of you who live in the area know how bad it gets when the State Fair is running.

As much as Arco has it's flaws, at least getting in and out is fairly painless.

 

[kennadog]

There is no doubt in my mind that the financing is a big reason for the selection of the Cal Expo site. The Natomas site can be sold for a substantial amount of money, MSE pays off the city and has money left to invest in the new arena. It could be a win-win for Cal Expo and MSE.

In addition, if a joint powers agency is formed by Cal Expo, it will be able to raise money by issuing bonds that would not be general fund obligation bonds (No vote, just Treasurer's approval).

 

[Purple Reign]

To me traffic is such a non issue. Do we ever hear New York, Los Angeles and the Bay Area complain about traffic? But here in "sleepy" Sacramento, traffic is a problem. Why is that?

I understand that "The Perfect Situation" is in Natomas. But the practical situation is at Cal Expo. I would choose practical over perfect if it means keeping our team in Sacramento.

 

[BMiller52]

To me traffic is such a non issue. Do we ever hear New York, Los Angeles and the Bay Area complain about traffic? But here in "sleepy" Sacramento, traffic is a problem. Why is that?

I understand that "The Perfect Situation" is in Natomas. But the practical situation is at Cal Expo. I would choose practical over perfect if it means keeping our team in Sacramento.

Yeah I would say the Notamos situation is like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. It's pretty apparent that atleast right now that's not gonna work, and we have a chance to keep our team because this Cal Expo thing has a shot to be beneficial for all parties involved. So I just hope they don't blow it.

 

[nebs]

I'm crossing my fingers. GET IT DONE!

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I'm crossing my fingers. GET IT DONE!

Indeed...

 

[JB_kings]

I think folks need to get used to this idea. It has it's warts, but I think this is pretty much the end of the line for arena efforts.