| Farmers Field | |
|---|---|
| The Farm | |
| Former names | Los Angeles Events Center (early planning stages) |
| Location | South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, California |
| Broke ground | June 2012 (planned) |
| Opened | 2016 (planned) |
| Owner | Anschutz Entertainment Group |
| Construction cost | US$1.2 billion (estimated) |
| Architect | Gensler |
| Capacity | 72,000 (estimated) (expandable to 76,000 for special events, e.g. Super Bowl) |
Farmers Field is a sports and events stadium that is planned to be built in Downtown Los Angeles. The project, spearheaded by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) president Tim Leiweke and former Los Angeles Avengers owner Casey Wasserman, is to be located on the current site of the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, adjacent to Staples Center.[1] The project marks AEG's second attempt at a stadium proposal on the location following a similar proposal in 2002.[2][3] The Los Angeles City Council approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AEG in a 12-0 vote on August 9, 2011.[4] This non-binding MOU clears the way for AEG to start the next phase of the project, which is completing a development application and obtaining environmental clearances. The development application will include schematic designs of the stadium as well as an Environmental Impact Report. Once completed, the development application will be submitted to the City of Los Angeles for its consideration and possible approval.
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ICON Venue Group, an Owner’s Representative firm in the sports and entertainment industry, was hired by AEG to represent them in the entitlement process with the City of Los Angeles in February 2011. ICON had originally partnered with AEG in 2002 for AEG's first stadium proposal attempt. That project was to be located on the same site of AEG's current proposal. The proposed plan is that the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center would be torn down and rebuilt further south at a cost of US$350 million.[5] Following the completion of the rebuilt West Hall, construction of a 72,000 seat retractable roof stadium would begin over the 15 acre site. AEG expects to begin construction of the stadium by 2012 and be completed by 2016. Though the stadium itself would be financed by AEG, the company proposes that the cost of the rebuilt West Hall of the convention center be funded by city issued bonds, which would be repaid by taxes assessed on events in the proposed stadium as well as rent paid by AEG for using the land the stadium would be on.[5][6] The proposed stadium is suggested as a possible venue for future Super Bowls and NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships.[7] In early December 2010, Magic Johnson announced his partnership with AEG's proposal after selling his minority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers National Basketball Association (NBA) team and multiple Starbucks coffeehouse locations.[8]
The project announced in mid-2010 was initially projected at a cost of $750 million.[9] The feasibility of constructing a 72,000 (expandable to 76,000 for special events--i.e. Super Bowl) seat retractable roof stadium at the announced cost came into question when compared to the two newest facilities of the NFL, the new Cowboys Stadium and MetLife Stadium which were built at a cost of US$1.3 and Us$1.6 billion respectively.[10][11] Shortly thereafter, Leiweke set a formal timeline for the proposed project.[12] The project's estimated total cost is US$1.2 billion.[13]
On February 1, 2011, it was announced that Farmers Insurance Group had signed a 30-year, $700 million naming rights deal for the stadium, with the stadium to be called Farmers Field. The deal is potentially worth $1 billion if two NFL teams relocate to Farmers Field.[14]
In a February 2011 story published by InsuranceQuotes.com, Farmers emphasized that its naming rights agreement would be spread out over 30 years and that it could walk away from the deal if the Los Angeles stadium isn't completed. “While we have every confidence that this project will get done, if it does not materialize, Farmers Insurance will pay no money for the project,” said Mark Toohey, senior vice president at Farmers.[15]
In an open blog to the public on February 15, 2011 in relation to the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations with the NFL Player's Association, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed a desire to return the NFL to Los Angeles. He named Los Angeles first in listing cities that needed new NFL stadiums. He wrote, “The status quo means failing to recognize the many costs of financing, building, maintaining and operating stadiums. We need new stadiums in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Oakland and San Diego.”[16]
On March 25, 2011, Gensler was selected by AEG to design the proposed football stadium.[17]
Anschutz has discussed with four teams: former Los Angeles teams the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, and Oakland Raiders; plus the Minnesota Vikings. The Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers are no longer candidates for relocation to Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles City Council approved a non-binding MOU with AEG regarding AEG's plan to build the stadium in a 12-0 vote on August 9, 2011.[4]
Competing with AEG's plan is Majestic Realty Chairman and CEO Edward P. Roski's proposal, Los Angeles Stadium, based in City of Industry.[18][2] After assessing multiple sites in Los Angeles County, the proposal settled on Industry over the available land to develop and its location to the Los Angeles metropolitan area.[1] The currently titled Los Angeles Stadium is part of a 600-acre (240 ha) entertainment and retail development, which will include concert halls, hotels, retail and convention space in addition to 25,000 on-site parking spaces.[2] Following two environmental impact reports (EIR) being finalized in 2009, the privately financed project is cleared to begin construction pending the resolution of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement dispute with the Player's Association.[1][2] Roski had previously partnered with AEG in the development and construction of Staples Center in 1999 and again in 2002 for AEG's first stadium proposal on the current location of its 2010 proposal.[3]