Since 2009, California legislators have passed laws to make it easier to build new football stadiums in the San Gabriel Valley, San Diego, and downtown Los Angeles, and basketball arenas in Sacramento and San Francisco.
Only one, a basketball arena in Sacramento, actually went forward. None of the football stadiums lawmakers targeted since 2009 were built, though a stadium to be shared by the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers is now under construction in Inglewood, near Los Angeles. That stadium did not require state legislation, as a strategy that involved collecting signatures from residents supporting the project proved to be successful.
State lawmakers action did provide the Sacramento Kings with shortcuts in defending environmental lawsuits against their downtown arena project. The legislation limited a judge’s ability to halt construction unless there were serious health and safety risks.
California lawmakers, pointedly, did not authorize state funds to build stadiums in contrast to the Nevada Legislature’s pledge of $750 million, a record public subsidy, to build a new stadium to attract the Oakland Raiders. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg called Nevada lawmakers’ decision “highway robbery,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Sacramento did spend some city funds to get the Sacramento Kings arena built, though. One legislator told the Times that spending public money on private sports arenas is bad policy.
Related Stories
Steel Buildings | Apr 4, 2016
AISI publishes Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design Guide, 2016 Edition
Updates 2007 edition; includes five comprehensive design examples.
Data Centers | Apr 1, 2016
ASHRAE releases publication on the impact of IT equipment on data center design
The book offers advice for designing structures in the fast-changing data center industry.
Codes and Standards | Mar 28, 2016
Occupant egress simulations that impact codes fall short, researchers say
Building evacuations in emergencies are too dangerous as a result.
School Construction | Mar 28, 2016
National report on school buildings reports $46 billion annual funding shortfall
Millions of students said to be learning in obsolete facilities.
Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2016
ASHRAE grants fund human thermal comfort database project
Aim is to help better understand thermal comfort in residential and commercial buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2016
OSHA finalizes new silica dust regulations
Construction industry has until June 2017 to comply.
Wood | Mar 23, 2016
APA updates Engineered Wood Construction Guide
Provides recommendations on engineered wood construction systems.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2016
Affordable housing advocates differ on micro-apartment policy
New York’s luxury micro units could be first step to developing affordable units.
Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2016
GRESB launches Health and Well-being Module for real estate industry
Optional supplement to environmental, social, and governance assessment.
Codes and Standards | Mar 4, 2016
U.S. Supreme Court lets San Jose affordable housing law stand
Law attempts to alleviate Silicon Valley’s high housing costs.