Anaheim, Disney Still Split on Sharing Stadium Costs

The estimated cost of renovating Anaheim Stadium has been reduced to $100 million, but the city and Walt Disney Co. are still “trying to reach a comfort zone” over how much of that each would pay, City Manager James D. Ruth said Tuesday.

“We do have a gap, and we’re working hard to close it,” Ruth said. “Right now, we don’t have the situation resolved, but I’m always optimistic.”

There has been speculation that Disney is willing to pay 70% to 80% of the cost for a major renovation of the Big A, with the city paying for the balance. Ruth declined to disclose figures discussed in closed-door meetings between the two sides.

But city officials did confirm that the negotiations have intensified this week as a Disney-imposed deadline of March 17 approaches. The council, which discussed the matter in closed session for more than an hour Tuesday, will meet again Thursday afternoon to talk more, it was announced Tuesday night.

“We’re getting very close to trying to make the final decisions,” Mayor Tom Daly said. “Some of the numbers have been adjusted in the last 24 hours on both sides because of the give and take of the negotiations. We’re much closer than we were a week ago, but there’s still a ways to go.”

Added Councilman Tom Tait: “We’re trying to find a common ground between our duty to the taxpayers and [Disney’s] duty to their shareholders.”

On Jan. 18, the day that Major League Baseball owners approved Disney’s proposal to purchase 25% and assume operational control of the California Angels, the company set a 60-day deadline to settle the issue of stadium renovations with the city, which owns the Big A. If the deadline is not met, Disney could walk away from the deal, leaving majority owners Gene and Jackie Autry searching for another buyer.

Disney initially had estimated the cost of renovating Anaheim Stadium at about $110 million. The company commissioned preliminary designs that call for the Big A to be transformed from a 67,000-seat multipurpose stadium to a more intimate, baseball-only facility with about 20,000 fewer seats.

Ruth said the fact that Disney’s estimate has dropped by $10 million is one example of the entertainment giant’s willingness to be flexible in its negotiations with the city.

“We’re working hard to close this,” Ruth said. “The city has made movement, and Disney has made movement. Everyone has worked really hard to understand each other’s limitations.”

But Ruth said the March 17 deadline won’t force the city’s hand.

“We’re not going to make a bad deal because of a time limit,” Ruth said. “It’s got to be win-win for both parties. I’d hate to see Disney walk, but if they do, they do. But I’m encouraged that both sides are trying hard.”

Times correspondent Alan Eyerly contributed to this story.