Entertainment, Sports Complex Wins Council OK

An agreement with a developer to build a 42-acre sports and entertainment complex next to Edison International Field of Anaheim has been approved by the City Council.

The council this week voted 4 to 0, with Tom Tait abstaining due to a conflict of interest, to enter into a development agreement with Forest City Development California Inc.

Under the agreement, the city is expected to reap millions in revenue, including $1.75 million a year in rent for the Sportstown site. The lease is for 55 years, plus two 10-year extensions.

Forest City now will prepare a master plan and execute leases with tenants. The company has until Dec. 15 to announce tenants, but Forest City officials said that may happen sooner. One major tenant is expected to be Gotcha Glacier, a giant indoor park for snowboarders.

The master plan will be reviewed by the city’s Planning Commission and Redevelopment and Housing Commission and then presented to the council for approval.

The $300-million Sportstown complex on the stadium parking lot is scheduled to be built in phases, beginning in June and ending in 2001.