WESTDOME CHRONOLOGY

September, 1982--Chatting over a beer after a round of basketball, Robert Osbrink and Allan Durkovic decide to look into methods for bringing a National Basketball Assn. team to Orange County. After contacting the NBA, the partners realized that they would need an arena before being able to acquire a team.

March, 1983--Then-City Manager A. J. Wilson, Assistant City Manager Rex Swanson, Osbrink and Durkovic have their first meeting. “That’s when we discussed our project for building an arena in Orange County and they discussed a site they had in mind to fit in very well with their plans for the renaissance and resurgence of the downtown area,” Durkovic says.

March, 1984--The four-man Westdome Partnership is formed--Durkovic, Osbrink, Don Oliphant and Ronald McMahon.

June, 1984--Harrison Price Co. releases a financial feasibility report, predicting $55 million in retail sales for the arena and surrounding area, amounting to about $560,000 in sales tax revenue. “Clearly, the project will contribute significantly with substantial benefits to the local economy,” the study stated.

July 2, 1985--City signs an exclusive negotiating agreement with Westdome Partners, calling for Westdome to be built downtown on the site of Santa Ana Stadium.

Nov. 8, 1985--Developers submit a $100,000 application fee to the NBA for an expansion franchise.

Nov. 26, 1985--State approves Santa Ana bond sale.

Dec. 5, 1985--City announces plans for an $11-million replacement stadium in Centennial Park.

Dec. 7, 1985--An environmental impact report is released, targeting downtown as the best site but warning of significant impacts, including traffic, parking, noise and litter.

Dec. 16, 1985--Council votes to approve bonds as long as they can be used for any arena project in the city.

Dec. 30, 1985--Council reverses that decision and makes the bonds specific to the downtown site after an attorney tells them that the IRS has no provisions governing the transfer of bonds. E. F. Hutton takes the bonds the next day and puts the $40-million deal into escrow, pending a final decision in March.