You can’t please all of the people all of the time — especially not during L.A.’s planning process.
Case in point: the City of Inglewood’s negotiations with the Los Angeles Clippers over a potential stadium in the area. After the original June proposal drew fire from the owners of the nearby Forum and neighboring businesses, who worry they will be pushed out by eminent domain, the Inglewood City Council voted Tuesday on a concession — but it did little to stifle opposition.
The new agreement reduces the proposed lot size of the new arena, preventing homes and a church from being demolished. The imprint of the roughly 20,000-set arena itself was not changed — and it still includes private businesses that have yet to agree to give up their land, the Pasadena Star News reported.
The arena would be built along Century Boulevard between Yukon and Prairie Avenues – a mile south of the Forum, owned by Madison Square Garden Co. (MSG).
MSG filed a lawsuit against the city last month, claiming the secret deal violated the state constitution. It also alleges Mayor James Butts Jr. tricked MSG into giving up a parking lot lease it had on the proposed arena site to help seal the Clippers deal.
Butts maintains that the city did nothing wrong and believes it will reach a resolution with MSG. But MSG is not convinced.
“The city is all over the map, changing course with the shifting political winds,” officials from MSG said in a written statement. “Yet the city remains committed to eminent domain to take over people’s land for the benefit of a private arena.”
The Clippers are looking for a new home before their lease expires at the Staples Center in 2024. [PSN] — Subrina Hudson