http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/961351.html
Ailene Voisin: Arena plan has legs, right from the tipoff
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, May 23, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
This arena process already has been like giving birth to quadruplets without the benefit of an epidural. Natomas. Downtown Plaza. The railyard. There are probably other potential sites that have been discussed and discarded, without inflicting further pain on the public.
But now comes the plan for a final push, for the transformation of Cal Expo from 360 acres of rural wasteland into urban utopia.
If the developers are interested, the numbers are reasonably crunched and the traffic issue is resolved – three mighty ifs – the makeover will result in a sports and entertainment district that furthers the State Fair experience, includes bike paths and green patches to promote healthy living, and, of course, provides a permanent home for the Kings and Monarchs.
And who knows? Maybe this will even doom the racetrack and save a few horses.
An undertaking of this magnitude is a living, breathing organism, and in contrast to the previous arena incarnations – all of which failed for different reasons – this one has legs. It has legs and brains and boldness and braggadocio, all necessarily tempered by pragmatic concerns and a healthy dose of skepticism. (We aren't talking pennies here. Assemblyman Dave Jones should continue to bring his calculator, and continue to leave his haughtiness at home.)
Notably, at the Cal Expo board meeting Wednesday, the atmosphere was occasionally tense and tedious, but it remained respectful, at times even collaborative.
For the first time since a new arena concept was floated, the parties appeared genuinely committed to resolving two of the region's most problematic issues: solving the financial dilemma at Cal Expo and replacing creaky Arco Arena, all without approaching voters about a new tax.
"It took six months of going through a catharsis with everybody to get to this point," laughed John Moag, the expert hired by the league to facilitate a possible agreement, "and without question, when you have elected officials who are fans, who understand what the Kings mean to the area, it makes a huge difference. It's a strong reason I believe we can get this done."
The critical question, of course, is whether Moag can attract the high-end developers needed for a joint public-private venture of this size. Pressed on the issue, the Baltimore-based adviser sounded like someone with a shovel and pick already up his sleeve.
"We're committed to making this work," added a visibly exhausted David Stern, after taking a red-eye flight to Sacramento to attend Wednesday's meeting.
The longtime NBA commissioner, who is contending with other serious matters that include an ongoing referee scandal and an upcoming legal hearing over the Seattle SuperSonics' relocation to Oklahoma City, didn't come to town because he needed the frequent flier miles.
He insinuated himself into the situation because the Maloofs solicited his help 18 months ago, because his league (and his legacy) can only withstand so much hopscotching around the map, and most recently, because Moag quietly has convinced him that the stars and the political forces are aligning. Suddenly, it seems, everyone wants to deal.
"We'll learn the scope of the challenge within the 180 days," said Marko Mlikotin, chairman of the Cal Expo board, "but I will say, the future of Cal Expo is dependent upon a public-private partnership. We have enough money to survive, but not to maintain the place. Those bills are stifling. That's what eventually would put us under. I could not imagine a more ambitious (venture) than this, with the NBA and a world-class basketball team on the grounds. But the only other thing we have is the water park."
All together now …
Small steps.
Massive project.
Finally, a start.
Ailene Voisin: Arena plan has legs, right from the tipoff
Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, May 23, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
This arena process already has been like giving birth to quadruplets without the benefit of an epidural. Natomas. Downtown Plaza. The railyard. There are probably other potential sites that have been discussed and discarded, without inflicting further pain on the public.
But now comes the plan for a final push, for the transformation of Cal Expo from 360 acres of rural wasteland into urban utopia.
If the developers are interested, the numbers are reasonably crunched and the traffic issue is resolved – three mighty ifs – the makeover will result in a sports and entertainment district that furthers the State Fair experience, includes bike paths and green patches to promote healthy living, and, of course, provides a permanent home for the Kings and Monarchs.
And who knows? Maybe this will even doom the racetrack and save a few horses.
An undertaking of this magnitude is a living, breathing organism, and in contrast to the previous arena incarnations – all of which failed for different reasons – this one has legs. It has legs and brains and boldness and braggadocio, all necessarily tempered by pragmatic concerns and a healthy dose of skepticism. (We aren't talking pennies here. Assemblyman Dave Jones should continue to bring his calculator, and continue to leave his haughtiness at home.)
Notably, at the Cal Expo board meeting Wednesday, the atmosphere was occasionally tense and tedious, but it remained respectful, at times even collaborative.
For the first time since a new arena concept was floated, the parties appeared genuinely committed to resolving two of the region's most problematic issues: solving the financial dilemma at Cal Expo and replacing creaky Arco Arena, all without approaching voters about a new tax.
"It took six months of going through a catharsis with everybody to get to this point," laughed John Moag, the expert hired by the league to facilitate a possible agreement, "and without question, when you have elected officials who are fans, who understand what the Kings mean to the area, it makes a huge difference. It's a strong reason I believe we can get this done."
The critical question, of course, is whether Moag can attract the high-end developers needed for a joint public-private venture of this size. Pressed on the issue, the Baltimore-based adviser sounded like someone with a shovel and pick already up his sleeve.
"We're committed to making this work," added a visibly exhausted David Stern, after taking a red-eye flight to Sacramento to attend Wednesday's meeting.
The longtime NBA commissioner, who is contending with other serious matters that include an ongoing referee scandal and an upcoming legal hearing over the Seattle SuperSonics' relocation to Oklahoma City, didn't come to town because he needed the frequent flier miles.
He insinuated himself into the situation because the Maloofs solicited his help 18 months ago, because his league (and his legacy) can only withstand so much hopscotching around the map, and most recently, because Moag quietly has convinced him that the stars and the political forces are aligning. Suddenly, it seems, everyone wants to deal.
"We'll learn the scope of the challenge within the 180 days," said Marko Mlikotin, chairman of the Cal Expo board, "but I will say, the future of Cal Expo is dependent upon a public-private partnership. We have enough money to survive, but not to maintain the place. Those bills are stifling. That's what eventually would put us under. I could not imagine a more ambitious (venture) than this, with the NBA and a world-class basketball team on the grounds. But the only other thing we have is the water park."
All together now …
Small steps.
Massive project.
Finally, a start.
