Mitigation or Extortion? Getting the Most out of a Deal for LA's New Football Stadium

As the L.A. City Council prepares to consider final approval for a proposed downtown football stadium and renovated convention center, Jim Newton ponders to what extent community groups will be able to leverage the fast-tracked approvals process.

2 minute read

September 12, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With all signs from elected officials in Los Angeles, and in Sacramento, indicating that a proposal by developers AEG to build a football stadium in downtown L.A. (with or without a team to call it home) will be approved by the City Council later this month, Newton argues that now is the time to get whatever concessions are possible from the developer.

While most public officials, and even some environmental groups, have gotten behind the project, Newton notes that there remains "a coalition of community groups pushing for
further environmental and other concessions, a fight they say they will
pursue with the city's elected leadership and, if that fails, in court." 

Contesting the basic assumptions about the economic benefits of the project, but recognizing it is likely to be approved, the groups are requesting more money for parks and recreation, subsidizing of all public safety costs, and "AEG to contribute $20 million to a
housing trust fund that would create low-cost units close to the
stadium. (It's worth noting that the stadium would not destroy a single
housing unit, so that's a fairly brazen demand.)"

While AEG has already agreed to "dozens" of community benefits, Newton calls on city leaders to not leave "any dollars on the table," and "drive a hard bargain that brings maximum benefit to the city and still allows this project to proceed."

But with approval a foregone conclusion, no public subsidies required for financing, and an ultra-cozy relationship between AEG and city leaders, what incentive do the developers have to give in to additional community demands?

Monday, September 10, 2012 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

1 hour ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

2 hours ago - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

3 hours ago - Bloomberg