Myself, I've had it with running down perfectly-good Arco (now Power Balance) Arena. Despite the naysayers, it remains a fine place.
The taxpayers of Sacramento are never going to accept paying so soon for the replacement of an arena that dates to the mid-80's, just to satisfy the spoiled Veruca Salts of the NBA. The taxpayers might have listened to other arguments, and might still listen to other arguments, but spoiled whining is what we heard, and we responded in kind with our "No" ballots.
If the Maloofs walk away from Sacramento, that is their loss - they won't be able to replicate what they had here in Los Angeles. And maybe someone else with greater vision will see Sacramento as the ideal sports opportunity that it is:
Elmets handed Maloof a script. He was supposed to say the railyard was an ideal location for an arena and the venture was a tremendous opportunity for Sacramento. Instead, Maloof said he wasn't sure an arena would work there.
"I turned ashen as did everyone else in the campaign," Elmets said.
Voters later rejected arena tax Measures Q and R by wide margins. By then, Elmets said, the owners had all but walked away from the campaign, offering only "tepid financial support and minimal moral support."
...Townsend represented former Sheriff Lou Blanas and developers including Angelo K. Tsakopoulos in a private push to rezone property for development in North Natomas in exchange for financing for a new arena. He blamed its failure on a collapse of the development partnership, but was amazed by the brothers' demands in negotiations.
"They wanted a $40 million to $50 million parking garage so that you could drive right up and park at your (arena) box," Townsend said. "They were being somewhat excessive in their demands for what the arena should have."
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