What if Sacramento loses the Kings, the Railyards, and Cal Expo, and DTP all in one year? (movies, radio)

[californio sur]

I sure hope the Kings stay in Sacramento but understand that business revenue & adequate arenas determine if teams move. I have always liked the Kings especially when coach Adelman was there and, of-course, Webber, Bibby and Christie. The Kings have played in Sacramento for 25 years; it would be a shame to lose them.

[Aquaboy]

Since the Maloofs are billionaires, they could pay for a new arena and charge whatever they want for admission. Struggling families shouldnt be taxed for this sort of diversion.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Aquaboy

Since the Maloofs are billionaires, they could pay for a new arena and charge whatever they want for admission. Struggling families shouldnt be taxed for this sort of diversion.

But if they build it in the railyards, what are the laid-off state workers to do per your post about it's possible future in another thread?

Originally Posted by Aquaboy

I could see a shantytown there for the 40,000 workers Gov. Whitman will lay off!!

[wburg]

The weird historical parallel is that in the 19-teens, during an earlier depression, a group called the "Army of the Unemployed," mostly Wobblies and out-of-work folks from the Bay Area, marched from San Francisco to Sacramento. They camped out for a while on the lot where the Amtrak passenger depot now sits, before being shoved back across the river by Sacramento police.

The Maloofs are kind of hosed economically right now--they probably don't have the cash to build an arena. If the city were to own the arena outright, including control of event booking and parking, it might be something that can be justified as public expenditure--in conjunction with a long-term lease with the Maloofs that will add up to an amount roughly equal to the cost of the arena. Getting a corporate sponsor for naming rights would offset some of the public cost. The Maloofs really want control of the parking structure, but that should be wrested from them primarily because a downtown arena should not be as dependent on auto-based visitors. With its proximity to the bus system, light rail, and at least 50,000 central city and West Sacramento residents within walking or bike range, a Railyards/downtown arena wouldn't need nearly as much parking as utterly car-dependent Arco. And besides, the city should get the revenue from a downtown Arena lot that is also useful for other central city attractions, businesses and transportation functions.

[Aquaboy]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

But if they build it in the railyards, what are the laid-off state workers to do per your post about it's possible future in another thread?

They could work the minimum-wage jobs in the new arena. Problem solved.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Aquaboy

They could work the minimum-wage jobs in the new arena. Problem solved.

Do you want to be real or just cheeky?

If 40,000 state workers are suddenly unemployed, the preponderance will be in Sacramento. Kiss downtown goodbye. As sad and unenlightened as it is, it's primnarily those same workers who keep it afloat Mon.-Thu. (remember, there are furloughs). Sac would be devastated!

[Aquaboy]

[quote=Curmudgeon;15930369]Do you want to be real or just cheeky?

If 40,000 state workers are suddenly unemployed, the preponderance will be in Sacramento. Kiss downtown goodbye. As sad and unenlightened as it is, it's primnarily those same workers who keep it afloat Mon.-Thu. (remember, there are furloughs). Indeed! Its a bleak scenario with Gov. Nutmeg at the helm.

[Majin]

One down, two to go.

[Malloric]

Honestly, how many people in Sacramento really care what happens to the Kings any longer? Aside from the die-hard fans, not many. The majority of residents who like the idea of a sports franchise such as the Kings and enjoy the occasional game have been mostly alienated. Not good, but not that bad either.

Railyards have been nothing forever. More years of nothing is no loss at all.

DTP is a waste of space. It's been a waste of space forever. Net effective of losing it would be positive. The City would then stop throwing money at it like they expect it to change.

The State's fiscal problems are a much more serious. Not as sexy, maybe, but more relevant.

[wburg]

Some people have a funny definition of "nothing forever." The railyards were still in active use railyards and repair shops until only about 15 years ago, and two of the buildings are still in use as storage, restoration and repair facilities for the California State Railroad Museum. In the other five buildings, millions of dollars has been spent to remove contamination and stabilize the buildings. Outside the buildings, a mountain of toxic soil has been removed, and the final steps to move the tracks are being taken--bids just went out. Once the tracks are moved, the bridges can be finished. There is a new owner in the Railyards--but they are not interested in just giving up on their investment.

Downtown Plaza is currently being used by Westfield as a write-off, although some of the new businesses there (like the Hyundai dealership) actually seem to be flourishing, and while some folks won't shop at a store that isn't a national chain, I think it's kind of neat to see some of the small local businesses that are now in the mall--like "Zuhg Life," a local reggae band's music/jewelry/clothing store that puts on live performances near the food court. The city hasn't been throwing money at it for a while--people tend to confuse Downtown Plaza with the rest of the K Street mall. And if you assume nothing is happening there, you haven't been on 10th and K lately.

I'm not a sports fan but understand how a sports team can contribute to a city's identity and become a focus for community spirit and pride. How much that is worth in public dollars and cents is another matter--especially if the owners and the team don't show much support for the city in return.