John Semcken, vice president of billionaire Ed Roski’s Majestic Realty Co. does not shy away from bold statements or plans.
He’s the guy behind the Staples Center in downtown L.A. and the failed effort to draw an NFL team to a greatly revamped L.A. Coliseum.
by Scott Hettrick
At last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum, Semcken said that not one but two NFL teams would be relocated to the L.A. area by next year.
After two pro forma final City approvals this Thursday, Feb. 12, and on Feb. 26 in the city of Industry – population 84 – construction will begin on the new $800 million stadium and entertainment complex that would be ready in time for both teams to play the 2012 season.
The most likely candidates to be relocated are two of the three California NFL teams – the Chargers and the Raiders, both of which once played in L.A. – and the 49ers, all three of which the NFL says currently play in the worst stadiums in the League, according to Semcken. He expects to announce one or both teams by September or October of this year, although he admitted that the announcements would probably only be made public once the team had already started packing and moving out of town to avoid a public backlash.
Recognizing that L.A. has been without any NFL team for 15 years, that the Raiders and Rams seldom sold out prior to that, and that there has not been a huge fan demand for the return of the NFL to this region, Semcken said that the new stadium would have a seating capacity of only 75,000 – on the smaller side compared to some stadiums that seat 85,000 – 95,000 – but would be able to expand to 80,000 when needed. He’s hoping one of those needs may come with a 2016 Super Bowl on the 50th anniversary of the first interleague championship game that was played at the L.A. Coliseum.
The upside for Arcadia for a stadium that is about 20 miles away, near the intersection of the 60 and 57 freeways — bordering on Diamond Bar and Walnut? Employment opportunities and potential spillover business for hotels, restaurants, and party venues, according to Semcken.
With the design being built into the earth (“mountains”) on three sides, Semcken said it cut the cost nearly in half from the equivalent of a $1.8 billion price tag. Even so, the entire $800 million will be privately financed – no public taxpayer or government money.
The design will also limit luxury suites to the one side not built into the earth, meaning better viewing at lower levels for fans on the other three sides. And lots of parking — 25,000 spaces, many of which will be over surfaces of tough grass used for youth soccer fields during many of the 320 days during which the stadium will not be hosting NFL or other major events.
That’s right, the stadium will be limited to 45 days of use for football games and tractor pulls, or whatever. Which is why the design also includes 2.9 million square feet of theater, retail, and commercial components.
As for the perception among some area residents of the apathy regarding new NFL teams in town, Semcken said recent surveys show that 62% of area residents want the NFL to return to L.A., and that a whopping 15.5 million people live within a 60-minute drive of the planned stadium.
Seeing no downside for Arcadia, but only potential upside, the Chamber Government Affairs Forum voted to recommend support of the project to the full Chamber board of directors.