Inglewood stadium would boost city’s budget by up to $28 million a year
The 80,000-seat football stadium and related office and retail development being proposed in Inglewood would boost that city’s budget by $18.7 to $28 million a year over the next 15 years, while creating manageable traffic and environmental impacts.
That’s according to reports commissioned by Inglewood officials ahead of a vote on the plan that could come as soon as Tuesday night. The quick environmental and fiscal impact studies -- which were ordered in lieu of a full environmental review -- paint a picture of a project that would be transformational for the South Bay city’s $85-million annual budget.
Taxes from the stadium and a performing arts center, along with new tax money generated by a large shopping center and office buildings on the site, would pump $670 million into Inglewood’s general fund over the next 25 years, if projections by development consultants HR&A Advisors pan out. Although much of the money would come from admissions taxes from events at the stadium, there would also be new property and sales taxes as well.
Over those 25 years, Hollywood Park Land Co. would also recoup about $260 million in tax money off the project. Although the deal pledges no public funds will be spent upfront on the stadium, it allows for the developers to be paid back the cost of roads, sewers and other infrastructure, plus some game-day services such as security and parking shuttles.
The report also analyzed potential effects on traffic, air quality, parking, noise and other local issues, and found they would be manageable and not much greater than what would be generated under the initial Hollywood Park plan that city officials approved in 2009. Hollywood Park Land Co. had earlier agreed to improve several intersections between its project and local freeways.
The positive reports will probably give an extra layer of comfort to Inglewood officials who have touted the plan as a boon for the city of 110,000. The City Council is set to take up zoning changes for the stadium at its meeting Tuesday night, and could either approve the changes themselves or schedule a public vote on June 2.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts, a strong supporter of the project, did not return messages Monday seeking comment on what the city’s next steps might be. A plan unveiled Friday by the owners of the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders to build a $1.7-billion stadium in Carson could give extra urgency to the Inglewood stadium project.
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