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
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
ConsensusDocs releases new multi-party IPD agreement and joining agreement
The documents serve as a comprehensive revision of previous IPD agreement
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
State Savings Calculator analyzes savings associated with energy codes
The calculator breaks down the cost-effectiveness of energy codes on a state-by-state basis.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Metal Roofing Seaming Guide published by Metal Construction Association
The free document is specifically tailored for metal roof installation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Treasury Dept. will start crackdown on illicit money in luxury real estate
The move is expected to impact high-end condo development.
Resiliency | Jan 13, 2016
LEED credits on resiliency expected to influence future of building design
Post-disaster survivability is a key goal.
Codes and Standards | Jan 12, 2016
Batteries are the next step in raising sustainability standards
Battery technology will reduce electricity costs and promote a more stable, flexible grid.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2016
Denver broadens its use of design reviews as construction booms
Support strong, but some wary of giving more say to review boards.
Codes and Standards | Dec 23, 2015
International Code Council approves updates based on NIST study of Joplin, Mo. tornado
Applies to schools and other high occupancy buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 21, 2015
Changing building codes to protect against mass shootings at odds with other safety measures
Fire and other emergencies require getting people out quickly, not locking down sections.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2015
Codes should be updated to reflect lessons learned from recent extreme weather events
More can be done to boost resiliency to flooding, extended power outages.