When the Anaheim Angels opted out of their stadium lease in October , Long Beach officials reached out immediately to offer the option of building a waterfront baseball stadium downtown , in an area next to and possibly including the Long Beach Arena.
The acre Elephant Lot next to the arena was still available, and Long Beach officials were ready and willing to resume talks. That did not include provisions for fan parking when the downtown area already is short on parking. City officials have been looking for ways to develop the lot as the largest available waterfront property. It also is earmarked for use as an event venue for the Olympics.
But Tuesday, the Anaheim council voided the sale in the wake of an FBI corruption investigation and resignation of Mayor Harry Sidhu, who is accused of giving the Angels inside information in an attempt to get a large campaign donation. If the Angels are interested in continuing those initial discussions, Long Beach would reengage in those discussions and seek direction from the City Council.
Not everyone was thrilled with the idea of a Major League Baseball stadium in downtown Long Beach when it was first proposed. Kelly Ruggerillo, president of the Long Beach Symphony, said there would be a need to accommodate the symphony, which performs at the Arena and the nearby Terrace Theater.
When the discussions were taking place in , residents complained that an already-stressed street system would be gridlocked with a sports stadium, and others worried about fans parking in neighborhoods nearby. By Harry Saltzgaver hsaltzgaver scng. Sign up for The Localist, our daily email newsletter with handpicked stories relevant to where you live. Subscribe here. More in News.
