Kevin Johnson
- Thread starter Glenn
- Start date
Sptsjunkie
Starter
You mean after we passed on him in the draft? This is probably where KJ destroys an arena deal all as part of his long, complex plan for revenge.
NME
Starter
That's why I cast a write-in for Kenny Smith.
NME
Starter
I think it's a little bit of a stretch to say that this is at all related to the Kings; To whatever extent that Johnson being elected mayor of Sacramento helps or hinders a new arena I can't speak on, as I'm not from there. Either way, though, it belongs in the New Arena forum, if it belongs anywhere.
PurpleHaze
All-Star
I don't think KJ becoming mayor of Sacramento will mean anything at all towards getting a new Kings arena. That city ship sailed long from "Fargo harbor" and then tragically sunk to the bottom. The Cal Expo plan is on state of California land and in the county of Sacramento - meaning not an inch of it is in the City of Sacramento.
The deal trying to be struck now is ALL about getting funding from commercial banks/funds in an EXTREMELY TIGHT CREDIT MARKET on what may or may not be seen as a RISKY business venture, plus getting a big time developer wanting to take the HUGE project on in a recession.
The deal trying to be struck now is ALL about getting funding from commercial banks/funds in an EXTREMELY TIGHT CREDIT MARKET on what may or may not be seen as a RISKY business venture, plus getting a big time developer wanting to take the HUGE project on in a recession.
kennadog
Dog On It!
PurpleHaze is right, that this is basically a deal between a state agency and the league right now. The city isn't involved. There may be some small city participation. One thought floated was whether the city would contribute the funds from the sale of their portion of the Arco site. That's about it.
That doesn't mean the city can't or won't get involved in some way. I think KJ will be very interested in how the city can help. It certainly fits into his platform of helping businesses in the community.
The scope of this project is big for the area. It will bring in more business and will provide a good number of jobs during construction and after the multiple commercial and business ventures open in the new stores and office buildings proposed. It will also be a huge boon to suppliers of materials and services related to the construction and to operating businesses.
By the way, the overall plan is HUGE, but it will not be totally financed and built as though it were one gigantic project. It's important to plan the overall concept of what the final project will look like when done, but in execution it will likely be broken down into smaller phases with each having it's funding come into it when needed.
That doesn't mean the city can't or won't get involved in some way. I think KJ will be very interested in how the city can help. It certainly fits into his platform of helping businesses in the community.
The scope of this project is big for the area. It will bring in more business and will provide a good number of jobs during construction and after the multiple commercial and business ventures open in the new stores and office buildings proposed. It will also be a huge boon to suppliers of materials and services related to the construction and to operating businesses.
By the way, the overall plan is HUGE, but it will not be totally financed and built as though it were one gigantic project. It's important to plan the overall concept of what the final project will look like when done, but in execution it will likely be broken down into smaller phases with each having it's funding come into it when needed.
I'm sure the city can sweeten the deal by comitting to invest in the infrastructure around Cal Expo - as kennadog says its not just the arena and Cal Expo but the area around it. Light rail, roads, complimentary businesses, surely those are all city issues where dedicated city leadership will definitely help.
=LarryLegend=
Starter
I live in roseville 
glade he won though. i would have voted for him. i dislike fargo.
glade he won though. i would have voted for him. i dislike fargo.
Circa_1985_Fan
All-Star
I think having KJ as mayor of our fine city will DEFINITELY help in securing a new arena, not to mention overall growth in the downtown Sacramento district as a whole. ANYONE is better than NIMBY Fargo in hopes for a new arena, she was an Anne Rudin protege, she likened Sacramento to being the same cowtown it was in 1979. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the next 6 months...KJ takes office in about 2 weeks, we'll see how he starts his governing in Sacramento then.
FakeInjury
Bench
why would he gamble his political career on a financial black hole (the new arena).? KJ doesn't care about that stuff now that he is not in the NBA. KJ is the boss now, not stern. KJ would probably like to distance himself from the whole issue. And honestly, i believe he should. But on the other hand, without KJ, and sacramento council members, the arena is lost. This issue is like beating a dead horse. In 10 years, the Kings are going to leave sacramento anyways, why in the world would Sacramentians pony up for an Arena without any profit sharing and contractual gaurentees from ownership that they either won't leave or would have to pay to leave.
kennadog
Dog On It!
Wrong. In is "swearing-in" speech he specifically said we need to get an arena done and keep the Kings in Sacramento. However, since the City isn't even a part of the proposal being worked on, the plan is hardly dead without the city.
Under the current plan, Sacramentans aren't being asked to put up any arena financing. Might they be asked for some funding that doesn't raise taxes. Possibly, but hardly as a major player is the deal. Cal Expo is a state agency, Cal Expo is state land.
As to your statement that the Kings will leave in 10 years anyway, that is really out of left field. If they do get a new arena, what is your reasoning as to why they would leave and who says the Cal Expo Authority won't negotiate guarantees with the team? And after all, the NBA head office is involved, specifically becasue they don't want the team to leave Sacramento, as long as the region wants the team.
Actually the thing that will help Johnson as mayor is if his proposed change to a "strong" mayor system is passed by the voters. Sacramento has suffered for years, because the "weak" mayor system makes no one accountable for not getting things done. And it's hampered any mayor with vision or imagination from getting anything substantial done.
Packt
Starter
Yes, the current deal doesn't involved the city, as it's not city property. However, to continue to stress that the city will only be a minor player, is a ridiculous statement. Cal Expo is not on an island unto itself. Anything that happens in and around Cal Expo will need big contributions from the city.
KJ's role in all this, at least for now will have to be that of vocal supporter. He has to be the salesman, and sell the idea to area residents, and in fact may have to bully things through. The city will most definitely have to make financial contributions to the infrastructure around the area. That may be an easier sell than to fund an arena; infrastructure is for everyone to use, where as an arena is private.
The problem doesn't lie only with politicians, but also with residents. "Cow-town", you say, that's because people want it that way.
KJ's role in all this, at least for now will have to be that of vocal supporter. He has to be the salesman, and sell the idea to area residents, and in fact may have to bully things through. The city will most definitely have to make financial contributions to the infrastructure around the area. That may be an easier sell than to fund an arena; infrastructure is for everyone to use, where as an arena is private.
The problem doesn't lie only with politicians, but also with residents. "Cow-town", you say, that's because people want it that way.
FakeInjury
Bench
nice post. I liked the part about the "strong Mayor system". I heard about that. I am on the fence, i would like to know what prominent city council members think about that. I think leaving is an inevitability, i just ball parked a decade assuming Arco is still the home of the kings.
kennadog
Dog On It!
If this Cal Expo deal doesn't work, they'll be gone in less than 5 years is my guess. Arco is already on the verge of economic obsolescence. What's sad to me, is with Arco gone, Sac will have no major sports/entertainment venue. A whole lot more than pro sports would be gone from the region.
PurpleHaze
All-Star
Off topic, but I saw KJ at the movies today at Tower. He slept through the entire movie...and snored...loudly! His girlfriend/date kept nudging him to wake him up but it didn't help.
(He didn't look very tall.)
Tall? What ever gave you that idea? He was a PG and a smallish one at that. No more than 6'0" in boots. What did his GF or date look like?
hoopsfan
Starter
I'm only5' 7" but I guess I figured he would be taller. Six foot looks about right. That's pretty short in my family.
His date was an Asian girl. She seemed nice.
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