The Los Angeles Dodgers ownership is committed to putting money into short-term maintenance at Dodger Stadium this offseason, but a long-term plan is still in the works.
No surprise: Mark Walters, Stan Kasten and crew haven’t actually owned the ballpark for too long, and ballpark guru Janet Marie Smith has only been with the team since early August. And while Frank McCourt did do some premilinary work on a ballpark renovation plan that called for new retail/entertainment beyond the outfield pavilions, we’re guessing much of that work will be scrapped as the team comes up with a potentially more robust redevelopment plan for the ballpark and its environs. From the Los Angeles Times:
“I know what we need in this ballpark for now, that I can do now in this off-season. Now if I also knew I was going to be here for the next 50 years like Wrigley and Fenway, then we’d also be doing probably other 50-year things,” said Dodgers President Stan Kasten. “I would be announcing a five-year building program. That may yet happen. I haven’t had my time to think about the second step.”
One complicating factor: whether a deal can be struck for Guggenheim Partners to buy AEG, the sporting giant that owns Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Kings, among other sports properties. AEG has also pursued a downtown NFL stadium, but that effort could be diverted to Chavez Ravine — McCourt and former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley explored buying a stadium next to Dodger Stadium. But talk about an AEG is wildly premature, and we’re guessing Kasten is right when he says any talk along those lines isn’t a factor in the planning process.
RELATED STORIES: Dodgers building empire in Los Angeles?; LA brings in Janet Marie Smith to oversee Dodger Stadium renovations; Kasten: Dodger Stadium renovations could hit nine figures; New Dodgers owners: We need to upgrade fan experience; New owners take control of Los Angeles Dodgers; Court approves Dodgers sale
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