Monthly Archives: May 2011

05.03.11
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New redevelopment bill SB 286 introduced (updated)

State Senator Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) introduced a “compromise” redevelopment bill last week. SB 286 is intended to deal with the excesses of current redevelopment by introducing new levels of oversight, including regular audits of redevelopment agencies. The agencies themselves would remain largely intact, but they face new restrictions on what specific types of projects they could take on. A big one is the elimination of projects on currently non-urbanized parcel five acres or larger in size. Simply put, all projects have to be done on infill land. Development on “blighted” farmland and open space would be verboten. Direct assistance also couldn’t be provided to casinos, race tracks, speedways, and golf courses. And there’s one extremely important new rule related to sports facilities.

SEC. 7. Section 33426.5 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:
33426.5. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 33391, 33430, 33433, and 33445, or any other provision of this part, an agency shall not provide any form of direct assistance to the following:
…
(e) A development or business, for the acquisition, construction, improvement, rehabilitation, or replacement of property that is or would be used for a stadium, coliseum, arena, ballpark or other sports facility that is intended for use by a professional sports franchise unless the proposed assistance or another component of the financing for the proposed project is submitted to the electorate that resides in the territorial jurisdiction of the agency providing assistance, and is approved by a majority of the voters voting on the proposed development.

The upshot is that every stadium or arena project throughout the state would require a vote if the bill is passed. In San Jose that’s not such a big deal because a vote is required per the city charter. Now everything from LA’s Farmers Field to Oakland’s Victory Court to Sacramento’s Kings-saving railyards arena would automatically trigger referenda. If it’s a city project, city voters would have to approve. If it’s a county project, county voters would have to approve.

Keep in mind that the alternative, as we know it right now, is the complete elimination of redevelopment as dreamed by Governor Jerry Brown, and redevelopment’s replacement by successor agencies with an even smaller scope and breadth of powers than specified in SB 286. Furthermore, SB 286 is sponsored by the pro-redevelopment League of California Cities and the California Redevelopment Association. While the bill could undergo changes in committee, it’s unlikely that the sports facilities clause will see a big change since a reversal would strike at the heart of the bill’s intent, weakening the bill in the process.

So, that talking point that the Oakland-only crowd has but putting out about not needing a vote in The Town? Might have been a little premature about that one.

Updated 3:04 PM – Governor Brown is pushing AB 101, which would kill all redevelopment agencies and cap borrowing as of July 1. The League of California Cities has said the bill is unconstitutional. That makes it SB 286 vs. AB 101 for the future of redevelopment. It’s possible that one or both don’t make it out of committee. It’ll be interesting to see if they end up as competing ballot initiatives with poison pills.

05.02.11
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48 hours and a bobblehead

On Saturday I sat in section 130. This was the crowd during the game.

For today’s game I sat in my regular Value Deck seat in section 317. This was the crowd as the A’s took the field just before first pitch.

The announced paid crowd was 9,193, easily the smallest crowd of the season so far. The actual number of in-house attendees may have been as few as half that number. The unusual wraparound series configuration and the 12:35 getaway day start time both conspired to depress attendance for today’s tilt. It also didn’t help that unlike the previous three games in the series, there were zero promotional ties or giveaways for this game.

I fear that this upcoming Cleveland series will also fare poorly in terms of attendance. A friend from NYC is in town on business this week, and I got two $2 seats for Wednesday’s game. The game was not on my original schedule, and I have no idea if we’ll actually be able to go. Still, it was just a $4 expenditure at the box office, so no big deal, right? (Note: Plenty of $2 tickets remain for Wednesday night.) That absurdly high availability and cheapness of A’s tickets is a double-edged sword. It’s great for those of us who want to go at a moment’s notice. It’s not great for the A’s and it definitely doesn’t impress MLB.

As much as I want a beautiful new ballpark for the A’s, I’ll miss the “no big deal” accessibility of the A’s and the Coliseum right now. Actually, no I won’t. As amusing as it was to hear Grant Balfour swear (yeah, everyone heard it) after missing his spot on yet another pitch, I’d rather have a bigger crowd. And frankly, we shouldn’t need bobbleheads to get people to come out – many of whom only show up to get the swag and leave.

One thing I saw in the stands gave me a little hope. An (East) Indian man and his young son sat a row below me. They were immigrants. The son was wearing a rugby shirt. The kid loved baseball. His dad was doing his best to stay interested. The kid watched every pitch and was with the wedding-white-clad warriors the whole way. After Godzilla’s walkoff blast, I ran down the aisle and high-fived the father and son and everyone else within reach, which wasn’t a big deal because there were only eight people in the vicinity. I don’t know how the boy started loving the game, I just love how he and has were trying. Despite the lack of a crowd or a roster full of stars, we got a new fan. Hopefully for life. Hopefully, a lot more just like him soon.

05.02.11
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Kings to stay at least one more year in Sacramento

Here’s the press release from the Maloofs:

MALOOF SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT STATEMENT

“Out of respect to Kings fans and the regional business community, we have decided to remain in Sacramento for the 2011-12 season. The fans’ spirit and energy, specifically our season ticket holders, has been remarkable and we are truly thankful for their loyalty. We also are greatly appreciative of the support from our corporate sponsors as well as other local businesses that have come forward in recent weeks.

Additionally, we would like to take this opportunity to send a heartfelt thank you to the loyal and hardworking team members within our organization. From the game night staff to the front office, coaches, and players, we are grateful for their professionalism and devotion.

During this process, Mayor Johnson has strongly indicated to both the community and the NBA that he is capable of getting the support to build a state-of-the-art entertainment and sports facility that the Sacramento Region and the tremendous Kings fans so rightly deserve. We look forward to seeing Mayor Johnson bring his vision to reality. However, if an arena plan cannot be finalized in a timely fashion, the NBA¹s relocation committee has assured Maloof Sports and Entertainment that it will support an application to move the franchise to another market starting in 2012-13.”

A report from the ICON group is due later this month. That information and perhaps another arena proposal from an “anonymous” Nevada businessman will frame the discussions for a new venue going forward. The scary part for Kings fans and Sacramento citizens is that it doesn’t appear as if the Maloofs are on the hook to do anything as part of the effort to stay. Presumably there should be some sort of contribution from the ownership group, but what will that be? If they’re cash poor, what can they provide other than the old arena, which it appears they’d give up anyway if they were to move? Right now this has to feel good for fans, but the task they and Mayor Kevin Johnson is daunting to say the least. Even if Ron Burkle were allowed to buy the team from the Maloofs, it’s not realistic to expect him to spend $400 million out of pocket on an arena. At least they’re getting a year, which is more than you could say for many other teams’ fans.