Think Big task force expands menu of possible projects for downtown Sacramento

[Warhawk]

His quest to construct a new sports arena in Sacramento now on hold, Mayor
Kevin Johnson said Tuesday he was broadening the focus of his Think Big arena
task force to explore other large projects throughout the city's downtown.



City officials were also concerned that Johnson's "Plan B" – to build an
arena without the Kings' help – would have harmed the city's finances. The Kings
owe $67 million to the city, and a clause in their contract could have allowed
them to walk away from that debt if the city helped finance a basketball arena
competing with Power Balance Pavilion.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/04/4608906/think-big-task-force-expands-menu.html#storylink=cpy​

 

[Trueblood]

The only thing that worries me about the article is that they still want to use the parking money that was supposed to go to the arena, to go towards other railyards projects.

I have no problem with Think Big going in a different direction and doing what they think is best for the city. If something other than an arena is in the city's best interest then I won't get in the way to say how they should spend the money. But I was also hoping that if the Maloofs ever get around to selling, the parking money would still be there for the city under the assumption that AEG and the new ownership group would jump back in with their share of the contribution. If that money goes towards other ventures then I don't see how an arena can be built. It seems like all other options other than a cheap retrofit of PBP have been exhausted.