NBA releases details of arena plan

[GeorgeofSacramento]

Here it is.

Gotta say, the drawings look pretty ambitious (but all drawings of future projects do). Kinda wonder how "downsized" the State Fair would be?

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1659178.html

NBA releases details of arena plan at Cal Expo

By Tony Bizjak
tbizjak@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 - 12:58 pm

National Basketball Association officials today are unveiling an ambitious plan to turn much of Cal Expo into a densely packed urban community with a basketball arena as its centerpiece.

The proposal would completely redo the Expo grounds, turning one portion of the site into a mixed-use neighborhood of town houses, apartments, offices, stores and restaurants, on a new street grid.

That area would be anchored by a sports and entertainment arena housing the Sacramento Kings.

Next to that, officials say they also would build a new state fairgrounds, smaller than the current one, but with modern facilities, in hopes of re-energizing the State Fair and turning the Expo into a year-round event center.

The proposal is being presented to the Cal Expo board for its consideration. The board is expected to schedule a vote in the next few weeks on whether to move forward with the proposal. The next steps would include attracting a national developer to head the construction.

 

[VF21]

Thanks, George. I've started a new thread since this is the actual plan and not just speculation...

YAY!!!

 

[kennadog]

I'm not sure it would be all that "down-sized." The issue is whether there will continue to be horse racing at Cal Expo. The stables, warm up areas and the track and grandstand take up an enormous part of the fair right now. And there's plenty of evidence that the stands are never close to capacity, except possibly for Fourth of July fireworks.

Anyway, I think the arena is a better use of space. It's adaptable to a multitude of uses and is available for year-round activities, regardless of weather.

Incidentally, Cal Expo is going to remodel one way or the other. The questions about horse-racing venue will still be there with or without an arena.

 

[kennadog]

You can see Twitter comments from Sam Amick at the meeting here.

http://twitter.com/samick

Here's the latest tidbit

First piece of phased project estimated in 2013, including arena.

Earlier important note:

Moag: "Everything u hear today is, in some sense, irrelevant until we" hear from "private sector" as to feasibility.

If the Board votes yes in March, they will go out looking for a developer nationwide. I assume that's when they'll get more of a feel about feasibility.

 

[kennadog]

Yep....horse-racing would be gone.

Net positive operating posture in future on five-year estimate as far as Cal Expo operation. Improves with time after initial hit from horse racing revenue loss.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

if they break ground 2013...... it will not open until around 2015? wow


Anaheim Royals anyone?

 

[kennadog]

More

"Exposition Park" concept is year-round, comparable to Houston.

 

[kennadog]

if they break ground 2013...... it will not open until around 2015? wow


Anaheim Royals anyone?

It wasn't really clear, but I believe they meant that Phase one would be finished in 2013.

 

[VF21]

if they break ground 2013...... it will not open until around 2015? wow


Anaheim Royals anyone?

Um, arenas take a long time. It's getting the project off the ground that will keep the team here, not the eventual completion.

 

[kennadog]

Um, arenas take a long time. It's getting the project off the ground that will keep the team here, not the eventual completion.

Exactly. I'd settle for a 2015 completion, because that means the Kings would be here.

One economist says he thinks the projections are optimistic. (In all my years working with developers, I've never seen projections that weren't optimistic. Loan underwriters are always the conservative ones. At least, good underwriter's. Apparently tho, Mr. economist thinks it's "a beautiful and workable plan." Then Amick quotes him as saying it has problems in terms of feasibility. (No name, but is an "unattached" according to SA.)So the snippets of quotes from Sam from this guy are confusing.

Arena/Cal Expo Construction: Total $905-1,186 million (direct and indirect/induced economic impact)

Waterpark would be gone in 2016.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I dont really know a whole lot about the New Arena situation, but this is really good news, no?

Also, can Arco last until the new one is ready, wether it be in 2013 or 2015?

 

[CruzDude]

With potential developers only in the picture later this year in the worst economic downturn in my lifetime, the Maloofs and the NBA have to determine if they can wait that long. I agree with KennaDog that all things considered, it would be unlikely to have a functioning arena in 2013 but more likely 2015.

2009 maneuvering, politics, finding funding
2010 more of same assuming economy bottoms
2011 initial funding for engineering/architectural and site prep work
2012 Arena would not come first based on my impression from the proceedings but would follow retail and initial housing
2013 start the arena maybe.
2014 arena late in year?

Can Maloofs and NBA hold on in Sacramento for 5 years with no new arena??? The perfect storm of economic disasters could not come at a worse time. Anyone know a Saudi prince who likes basketball and Kings??

 

[kennadog]

I dont really know a whole lot about the New Arena situation, but this is really good news, no?

Also, can Arco last until the new one is ready, wether it be in 2013 or 2015?

Not quite good news yet. The Cal Expo Board will do their own feasibility study and they won't decide whether to accept the proposal or not, until next month.

However, I'm excited by the plan. It would give an unbelievable boost to the economy and it's exactly the kind of dense, urban infill project that cities should be doing to avoid continuous leap-frogging sprawl development. I probably couldn't afford it, but I would love to live in that area in a condo.

This project is so much more than the Kings....so very much more.

 

[chanel]

Worried

On Admicks post at sacbee.com I see so much negativity stating that this will never happen. Honestly, it totally worries me. I have this feeling that the team might be leaving Sacramento. This is not something I want to see or hear. The Kings belong in Sacramento. Many are saying that the team should just move to Vegas - which is not exactly going so hot. Don't even know if Vegas could host an NBA team anyway...

I think that the artist renditions are beautiful. I am hoping that it passes in March. Question is though - will the Maloofs wait that long - long enough to hear what the vote is or will they file for a move for the team before then on March 1st?

 

[kennadog]

There are the presentations at the CalExpo website. PowerPoint, I think.

http://www.calexpo.com/Html/nba_arena.asp

Correction one PP and one pdf doc.

 

[VF21]

On Admicks post at sacbee.com I see so much negativity stating that this will never happen. Honestly, it totally worries me.

The forums at sacbee.com are a cesspool of naysayers, trolls, etc. And, more importantly, they are NOT representative of anything other than a bunch of people who like to talk smack, toss insults around and in general just tear down anything remotely resembling a positive comment. I truly wouldn't worry about them - or even bother to read them - if I were you.

Those are the same people who said David Stern would never let the NBA get involved in the arena issue, that he wanted the Kings to move, etc.

 

[VF21]

I dont really know a whole lot about the New Arena situation, but this is really good news, no?

Also, can Arco last until the new one is ready, wether it be in 2013 or 2015?

I'm going to be more Pollyana optimistic than kennadog or CruzDude, and say I think this is very good news. It's a step in the right direction, something that has been - up until now - sorely lacking. Others can be cautious about their optimism, but I'm going to stand and cheer for it because it is what it is - an opportunity.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Not quite good news yet. The Cal Expo Board will do their own feasibility study and they won't decide whether to accept the proposal or not, until next month.

However, I'm excited by the plan. It would give an unbelievable boost to the economy and it's exactly the kind of dense, urban infill project that cities should be doing to avoid continuous leap-frogging sprawl development. I probably couldn't afford it, but I would love to live in that area in a condo.

This project is so much more than the Kings....so very much more.

Ah, I see.

The plan is really cool. It reminds me of Patriots Place, Bob Kraft built it around Gillette stadium. Its got a huge mall, big time resturants, Movie theatre .. basically everything this plan looks to add minus the condo's, which would be a dream to live in.

Still, A completed project is so far away, and the economy isnt getting any better, every day that goes by the chances get worse and worse. If ARCO is as bad as I hear, than IDK if it can last another 6 years .. What about a short term move to somewhere else in the area while the arena gets built?

 

[kennadog]

Okay, I'm looking at the actual financial feasibility presentation. Breal ground in 2013 and done on 2015 (first phase, including arena.)

Phase 12 completed in 2036.

 

[kennadog]

Sam Amick comment near end...

John Moag, by the way, is paid by the Maloofs ($2 mil, I believe). That gets lost in discussion when fans say they don't want to be here.

Thank you, Sam!

His last twitter...

Comment regarding plan from guy @ podium who I don't know: "Things are not always going to look as dark as they do today. And when the world turns, we'll be ready."

Thank you, Optimistic Guy!

Interesting fact: Entertainment square footage is expected to be 5.8% of total square footage built. (rest is hotel, retail, office, affordable rentals and for-sale condos.)

Also, although the econimist thinks the projections may be optomistic, they appear to agree that it's a project worth pursuing with developers.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

2036?? lol wow

 

[kennadog]

2036?? lol wow

The arena is in the first phase, but this is 300 acres of dense development were talking about. That does take time to development. That's why I said financing wasn't going to have to come in one fell swoop. This is a site that will take years to develop out properly. I could easily be dead buy the time it's done, LOL. As long as the arena is in the first phase, I'm a happy camper.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

well alot of that needs to be parking for a 18k+ arena.

 

[Section 101]

What I would like to know is what is commitment by the Maloofs keeping the Kings in town for this whole thing moving forward? Is there some contingency that says if the Cal Expo board agrees next month there is an agreement that the Kings stick around to see it through? What are the outs they have to move in the future if problems arise?

Oh, I would like to see Stern make a commitment to have the all star game here even if we don't meet all the requirements ie hotel space. I think that would help with not only the money, but help sway the community.

 

[kennadog]

well alot of that needs to be parking for a 18k+ arena.

Not by 2036, I think. There is some development of transit involved in the plan, apparently. If it's there, they won't need as much parking at the end of the whole deal. At least, I would hope not.

If development/transit happens over time, there could be parking there initially that gets torn out and developed as the public transit options change/expand. And what parking is there, I'm sure would be multilevel garage-type.

 

[Gary]

well alot of that needs to be parking for a 18k+ arena.

You live in Sac so you know how big Cal Expo is. I think it will be fine, and I think the Kings will stay.

 

[Warhawk]

What I would like to know is what is commitment by the Maloofs keeping the Kings in town for this whole thing moving forward? Is there some contingency that says if the Cal Expo board agrees next month there is an agreement that the Kings stick around to see it through? What are the outs they have to move in the future if problems arise?

You guys keep asking the same tired questions over and over. At what point does the repeated comments by the Maloofs and the NBA that everyone wants to keep the team in Sacramento sink in?

They KNOW it will take a few years to build. This isn't something that will be done for next season. They have been working for this for over a decade now knowing this day was coming. The arena isn't going to fall over tomorrow, but is FUNCTIONALLY obsolete. Having a plan to move forward and get this done in a few years will keep them here.

 

[kennadog]

What I would like to know is what is commitment by the Maloofs keeping the Kings in town for this whole thing moving forward? Is there some contingency that says if the Cal Expo board agrees next month there is an agreement that the Kings stick around to see it through? What are the outs they have to move in the future if problems arise?

Oh, I would like to see Stern make a commitment to have the all star game here even if we don't meet all the requirements ie hotel space. I think that would help with not only the money, but help sway the community.

Did you read Sam Amick's comment about what the Maloofs have paid Moag for this work, so far? $2 million.

If this moves forward, this is the least of my worries right now. The NBA is driving this deal. Do you really think the NBA is going to commit to a deal that's workable and then just let the team leave Cal Expo holding the bag?

As to future issues, that we could only imagine now, I actually think the region could support a multi-use arena with or without the Kings. There are cities with arenas and no pro-sports team. Kansas City for one. The new arena is going to be able to book a lot more events and hopefully they'll build an arena that can be remodeled in the future, unlike Arco.

I really get tired of all the pessimism. Where are the visionaries who take a chance? This will create thousands of jobs for years, during construction and more jobs in the retail, entertainment and office space. It will provide affordable rental housing and condos close to downtown and right on the American River.

Yes, the economy is down right now. That could actually benefit the construction with lower prices. It's not the time to sit in the rubble and cry and be fearful. This is the time to seize an opportunity to build something that can be better than ever.

There are no forever, ironclad guarantees in life. If anyone is waiting for one, they are assured of one thing...disappointment.

 

[VF21]

You guys keep asking the same tired questions over and over. At what point does the repeated comments by the Maloofs and the NBA that everyone wants to keep the team in Sacramento sink in?

They KNOW it will take a few years to build. This isn't something that will be done for next season. They have been working for this for over a decade now knowing this day was coming. The arena isn't going to fall over tomorrow, but is FUNCTIONALLY obsolete. Having a plan to move forward and get this done in a few years will keep them here.

THANK YOU!

The whole idea of the Maloofs not wanting to stay is without ANY basis in fact, except for the blatherings of some of the Bee staff. I predict that, even after ground has broken up until the day the ticket takers scan the first tickets for opening night in the NEW arena, the Bee will continue to find ways to cast doubt on the whole situation.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

There are the presentations at the CalExpo website. PowerPoint, I think.

http://www.calexpo.com/Html/nba_arena.asp

Correction one PP and one pdf doc.

I didn't find the Powerpoint very useful - lots of tables with no context or explanation.

The PDF (53 whole MB!) is about 20% downloaded...started about 40 minutes ago on my high-bandwidth work connection. I think the Cal Expo server is not quite up to the task.