It looks like the Rail Yard is about to get busy

[sk4ever]

I don't know if this is part of KJ's presentation or not but this is a good time to actually have work at the railyard. Looks like Granite construction is going to get started on rail removal and infrastructure. I've been so focused on the team and Maloofs, I haven't paid much attention to any other news. This is exciting to me, I didn't think anything would ever get done in my lifetime there

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/13/3548650/railyard-site-recommended-for.html


http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/18/3561783/granite-construction-to-relocate.html

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I don't know if this is part of KJ's presentation or not but this is a good time to actually have work at the railyard. Looks like Granite construction is going to get started on rail removal and infrastructure. I've been so focused on the team and Maloofs, I haven't paid much attention to any other news. This is exciting to me, I didn't think anything would ever get done in my lifetime there

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/13/3548650/railyard-site-recommended-for.html


http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/18/3561783/granite-construction-to-relocate.html

The first link says it's the recommended site for a new courthouse. Just what we need, more conflicting interests.

 

[sk4ever]

Where's the conflict? You obviously aren't in the construction business

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Where's the conflict? You obviously aren't in the construction business

The mayor wanting to build an arena there and others wanting to build a courthouse there isn't a conflict?

 

[sk4ever]

Did you read it? Did you watch kcra's video with KJ?

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Did you read it? Did you watch kcra's video with KJ?

OK, my bad. That's what i get for forming opinions on the headline. it still doesn't say much about the arena though other than that they think there's room for both. I'm still disappointed that the city can't fully get behind an arena like they apparently are a new courthouse

 

[sk4ever]

The amount of land there is huge in comparison with the lot the courthouse is proposed. (across the street from the federal courthouse)
And that's only half on the railyard property, there's currently a parking lot on the other half

 

[Warhawk]

OK, my bad. That's what i get for forming opinions on the headline. it still doesn't say much about the arena though other than that they think there's room for both. I'm still disappointed that the city can't fully get behind an arena like they apparently are a new courthouse

It is an article about the courthouse, not an arena.

The railyards site is huge! The courthouse is going in one little corner.

Any construction in the area is a plus at this point. That means infrastructure starts (at least in one corner) and it means that folks are going back to work. It means progress is being made in the area, which is a psychological boost for city construction projects if nothing else.

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

This news won't mean much to the Kings until we hear about a solid development plan from ICON/Taylor, but it's potentially great news to hear. It's exactly the catalyst needed to get the wheels turning down in the railyards. It's ridiculous that they took this long to actually break ground there on anything substantial in the first place.

 

[JB_kings]

The Courthouse is a good thing. Brings workers there and that is sorely needed. The overpass and relocation of the rail lines is very key to clearing the arena site. Nothing gets developed until those lines are moved.

 

[Section 101]

The amount of land there is huge in comparison with the lot the courthouse is proposed. (across the street from the federal courthouse)
And that's only half on the railyard property, there's currently a parking lot on the other half

The city owns 33 of the 244 acres at the site.

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/25851/Railyards_parcel_value_52_million

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

What I want to know is, if they can launch a plan to build a new courthouse, why can't they launch a plan to build a new sports and entertainment complex? Especially when the latter brings more revenue and costs half as much to build.

 

[JB_kings]

What I want to know is, if they can launch a plan to build a new courthouse, why can't they launch a plan to build a new sports and entertainment complex? Especially when the latter brings more revenue and costs half as much to build.

The problem is the usual, who is paying? The city doesn't pay for the courthouse.

 

[Glenn]

And they will do it without a vote.

 

[Löwenherz]

What I want to know is, if they can launch a plan to build a new courthouse, why can't they launch a plan to build a new sports and entertainment complex? Especially when the latter brings more revenue and costs half as much to build.

Unlike the arena, The source of funds for the courthouse is already in place:

"Financing for the project, and $6 billion in other courthouse projects in the state, comes mainly from fees, penalties, and assessments on people in criminal, traffic, civil, family and probate courts."

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

And they will do it without a vote.

Which could be a good or bad thing depending on how it goes. on the one hand, if you did get something to pass a vote, it'd be the quickest and easiest way to secure the funds. On the other hand, if you forgo the vote, you eliminate the possibility of the voters shooting it down but you also limit yourself to having to come up with creative and or unconventional ways of funding it.

 

[LilMissDiva]

It is an article about the courthouse, not an arena.

The railyards site is huge! The courthouse is going in one little corner.

Any construction in the area is a plus at this point. That means infrastructure starts (at least in one corner) and it means that folks are going back to work. It means progress is being made in the area, which is a psychological boost for city construction projects if nothing else.

I think this is exactly what the Sacramento area needs to get the everyday Joe on board with keeping the Kings. They do not see the forest for the trees... they need to know that keeping the Kings here = Jobs/Revenue for the City. Believe me, majority don't see it like this.

Awesome.

 

[Larry David]

Unlike the arena, The source of funds for the courthouse is already in place:

"Financing for the project, and $6 billion in other courthouse projects in the state, comes mainly from fees, penalties, and assessments on people in criminal, traffic, civil, family and probate courts."

Logic and facts. Nice!

 

[LPKingsFan]

Not to mention that a courthouse is obviously the government's business. A sports and entertainment center? I'm in favor of it, of course, but it's not hard to see the difference.

 

[The Hammer]

Not to mention that a courthouse is obviously the government's business. A sports and entertainment center? I'm in favor of it, of course, but it's not hard to see the difference.

Yeah but it could be an interesting combination...

 

[LPKingsFan]

Yeah but it could be an interesting combination...

Would make prosecuting those drunk and disorderly Laker fans convenient!

 

[Smills91]

I think we should tax Laker paraphernalia in order to build a new arena. Get it built on the backs of Laker fans....that's poetic justice! ;-)

 

[Big Cuz 15]

I think we should tax Laker paraphernalia in order to build a new arena. Get it built on the backs of Laker fans....that's poetic justice! ;-)

lol

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

Not to mention that a courthouse is obviously the government's business. A sports and entertainment center? I'm in favor of it, of course, but it's not hard to see the difference.

Yup, the crucial thing here is that the state is going to be doing something that no one in this damn city could ever come to terms with doing -- and that's clearing out that land to build SOMETHING, anything on in the first place.

I wonder what kind of backing that a tourism focused tax proposal (a small sales tax, hotels and rentals, etc.) would get in the city amidst all of this newfound support coming out for the Kings in the past few months. Even our blockheaded city government has been scared out of some of their backwards idiocy in light of all of this.

Whoever takes on the task of trying to justify funding to the public needs to get creative to get people to see their side. Perhaps look to the people who populate the buildings, like the powerful Live Nation and other entertainment businesses to help show people that Arco/PBP isn't just a decrepit sports venue -- it's a shoddy venue for anything entertainment related. Threaten to pull away some big acts. It's not like they'd be lying. I went to a couple of concerts there last year and the sound quality was atrocious. I'd rather go to Oracle and HP Pavilion for big name acts. Hell, even Fresno State's building is more appealing than a concert at Arco. It's shameful and the greater public needs to know it.

 

[Section 101]

Not to mention that a courthouse is obviously the government's business. A sports and entertainment center? I'm in favor of it, of course, but it's not hard to see the difference.

You know what else it does? Gets the infrastructure started for roads, power, water, sewer etc. One very critial part that is already moving forward.

 

[JB_kings]

The really positive story linked to by the OP was the Granite Construction getting started on moving the rails soon. The city owned site was pretty much useless until those rails got moved. And the overpasses for the new street extensions into the yard were a big key as well. Once the rail movement domino started falling, a whole series of projects can move forward. Nice timing too since this is some positive news to share with Bennett on Thursday. It shows that the site has activity and is making progress.

 

[LPKingsFan]

I think we should tax Laker paraphernalia in order to build a new arena. Get it built on the backs of Laker fans....that's poetic justice! ;-)

Now there we go. We'd probably put that turncoat sports store in the airport out of business. Then again, they've been well stocked w/ giants and even Stanford gear recently, so they're not all bad anymore.

 

[The Hammer]

You know what else it does? Gets the infrastructure started for roads, power, water, sewer etc. One very critial part that is already moving forward.

Yes. And can't help but think the timing of this announcement is carefully planned, just days before the whigs from the NBA show up. That, and more dollars flowing in from the Casino... this is a very good PR campaign that appears to be generated by KJs camp. Yet more props.

 

[TheWileyVet]

I think we should tax Laker paraphernalia in order to build a new arena. Get it built on the backs of Laker fans....that's poetic justice! ;-)

Mega win! Why stop at Lakers tho? They sell so many others team's cr@p sold in the malls it's sickening. Tax them all!!

 

[fansinceday1]

Philadelphia has a courthouse under their stadium to prosecute unruly Eagles fans. Let's propose a grand courthouse/arena combo. Perfect for a govt town.