If Arte Moreno wants a new Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ballpark in Tustin, he’ll need to move ahead with no public funding, according to Mayor Al Murray.
Moreno and Murray met last week to discuss the potential of a new ballpark at the city’s decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station, a site attractive because of proximity to three freeways (5, 405 and 55) and existing Metrolink service. The city has been working with developers on the land. While Tustin officials say they have no interest in just handing over land to Moreno for a new ballpark, they’d be willing to work with him or another developer on a project with a ballpark at its core.
The talks were preliminary, to be sure. And right now it’s not clear whether the Angels really want to move or if they’re setting up a foil during talks with Anaheim on an Angel Stadium renovation plan calling for the team to pay for $150 million in ballpark upgrades in exchange for development rights to acreage surrounding the ballpark. The city and Moreno have already agreed on the renovation plan, but Mayor Tom Tait opposes it, with an appraiser determining the worth of the land with the Angels in place or moved to another ballpark. From the Los Angeles Times:
“It certainly is clear they want to partner with a community and a developer,” [Tustin City Manager Jeffrey] Parker said, “whether that developer is them, or with another developer.”…
Moreno last week said talks with Anaheim were “at a stalemate.” Garvey said Tuesday the team had not made “any significant progress” since the deal framework was approved five months ago.
“The city of Anaheim has and will continue negotiating in good faith with Angels Baseball to keep the team playing in Anaheim for many years to come,” the city said in a statement Tuesday. “Early on, the city and the team established mutual goals, the first of which is to keep the Angels in Anaheim. We will continue to meet with the team in order to accomplish that goal.”
The Angel Stadium lease runs through 2029, but the team can opt out with 12 months notice to the city.
Photo courtesy of USC Archives.
RELATED STORIES: Moreno: Angels committed to Anaheim, but checking out alternatives; Angels lease negotiations hinge on value of land surrounding ballpark; Angels casually threaten move during lease negotiations
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!