News of the Arroyo
Title: | New design may save Rose Bowl's status |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2003-04-17 |
Summary: | April 17, 2003 -- Rose Bowl officials hope that new changes to their design might be able to conform with preservation standards. Some of the Since modifications to the design include keeping the stadium's low-slung bowl shape, digging down into the arroyo for parking, and expanding the stadium's space to 1 million square feet. |
Author: | Gary Scott, Staff Writer |
Publication: | Pasadena Star News |
Content: | PASADENA -- Rose Bowl officials say they have a design for rebuilding the stadium that will likely protect its historic landmark status while meeting NFL requirements. Preserving the 81-year-old stadium\'s spot on the National Register of Historic Places is not only politically important for a possible deal with the National Football League, it has serious financial ramifications as well. Federal tax credits equal to 20 percent of a project\'s construction cost could be available if the design protects or enhances the historic structure. Although the cost is not yet known, the credits could be worth $60 million or more, said Darryl Dunn, Rose Bowl general manager. The tax credits apply only to construction on the building that is considered rehabilitation. Because the City Council set a policy that city funds will not be expended for any NFL project, developing a viable financing plan has been central to any potential deal. It has been estimated that rebuilding the Rose Bowl for a professional football team will cost $450 million. In addition to tax credits, money could be raised through a ticket tax, the sale of permanent seat licenses, stadium naming rights and NFL loans. Sports broker John Moag was hired to seek an NFL deal on Pasadena\'s behalf. He, in turn, formed a team of consultants to develop a project proposal. Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum of Kansas City, a firm with significant experience working on sports stadia, is responsible for the design. The company is working with Christie MacAvoyof the Los Angeles-based Historic Resources Group to modify the design to meet historic standards. Pasadena Heritage, the local preservation society, opposed an earlier plan for rebuilding the Rose Bowl. While the plan was never made public, Pasadena Heritage members were given a preview in January. Since that time, Moag\'s team made substantial modifications to the design. Among the changes: keeping the stadium\'s low-slung bowl shape and digging down into the arroyo for parking and to expand the stadium\'s space to 1 million square feet. Susan Mossman, Pasadena Heritage\'s executive director, said the Rose Bowl\'s historic status is ``of critical importance\'\' to her group, but any impact on the Arroyo Seco is also ``a major concern.\'\' ``I don\'t feel comfortable saying anything else until I see [the design] with my own eyes,\'\' Mossman said. ``I am glad that they have such a reputable historic preservation consultant.\'\' The design will be unveiled Tuesday at a town hall meeting held at the Pasadena Senior Center. City officials continue to describe a possible NFL deal as speculative. However, the Rose Bowl Operating Company will hold an executive session today to begin preparing a negotiation strategy to make it happen. With League owners set to meet May 20 and 21 in Philadelphia, RBOC officials want to have a proposal ready for review. ``We certainly will not be in any position to go back to Philadelphia and present a finite proposal, but we will be able to go back and present general parameters,\'\' said Thomson. He chairs the RBOC subcommittee charged with overseeing NFL negotiations. ``All along we have felt that once a venue in Southern California provides an opportunity the NFL likes, that is the venue that is going to get the deal,\'\' said Dunn. -- Gary Scott can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4458, or by e-mail at gary.scott@sgvn.com. |
Url: |