Project Will Bring 23,000 Jobs to Los Angeles Area and $600 Million in Economic Activity
LOS ANGELES - Governor Brown today signed into law landmark legislation co-authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) at a ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. The new law paves the way for the construction of a stadium and upgrading of the convention center in downtown Los Angeles, bringing more than 23,000 jobs and over $600 million in economic activity to the state while ensuring strong protections for the environment.
"I believe this project will be a symbol of California’s determination to rebuild from the economic catastrophe we’ve been dealing with for three years," Pérez said. "Farmers Field and the Convention Center project will bring thousands of needed jobs at a time of historic unemployment, and keeps faith with our commitment to build a more prosperous and sustainable economy."
Senate Bill 292 directly generates Convention Center and Farmers Field jobs in the community, and stands to create even thousands more in the hospitality and construction industries. The bill also includes no exemptions from environmental laws while allowing for expedited environmental reviews, ensuring that all potential challenges to the project are heard in a timely basis of 175 days after the release of an environmental impact report.
To help ensure the project boosted economic development and environmental protection, Speaker Pérez created an ad hoc group in the Assembly to address the issue. He lauded the efforts of the work group members, including Assemblymembers Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), Wes Chesbro (D-North Coast), Bob Blumenfield (D- Van Nuys), Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens), Nora Campos (D-San José) and Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) who made certain that the environmental and traffic issues associated with the project were addressed.
Plans for the retractable-roof stadium will allow for expansion to 78,000 seats for Super Bowls and Final Fours alike, drawing crowds and business to downtown Los Angeles through a private sector investment of more than $1.3 billion dollars. Along with the $600 million in economic activity produced, the project will raise more than $40 million in city, county and state tax revenues.
"This is a world class project for a world class state, and I am very pleased to be here today, alongside the Governor and other leaders for this occasion," Pérez added.
The project gained wide support in the environmental community and in Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding with AEG and both the Natural Resources Defense Council and the California League of Conservation Voters supported the bill.
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
