Southeast

STADIUM: Long Beach City Councilman Alan Lowenthal wants to attract a new National Football League franchise to the region--preferably to his city.

At his request, the City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to support a study to determine the cost and possible location of an NFL stadium in Long Beach. The study will be conducted by consultants free of charge to the city.

Despite many obstacles--including a tight city budget that all but rules out spending city money on a stadium--Lowenthal says Long Beach would be the best location because it straddles Los Angeles and Orange counties.

But there is not universal enthusiasm among the city’s elected officials. Even if the study uncovers a site big enough for the stadium--which some officials doubt, given residents’ sensitivity to noise and traffic--the officials warn that funding problems could eventually kill the idea.

“I think this is a real long shot,” Councilman Les Robbins said.

Nevertheless, Mayor Beverly O’Neill said the city has nothing to lose by studying its options.

“I think it does raise expectations,” O’Neill said. “But unless you study it, how do you know whether to take a second step?”