The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had high hopes for a new ballpark in Tustin, but those hopes have been destroyed by the city of Tustin. According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, the Angels have renewed talks with the city of Anaheim about an Angel Stadium renovation and lease extension.
The developer of the proposed Tustin site said his firm worked extensively in recent months on a ballpark project, but could not structure a deal that made economic sense for the development company, for Tustin and for the Angels. (Via Shaikin)
“My guess is, they are going to stay in Anaheim,” said Dene Oliver, chief executive officer of San Diego-based Oliver McMillan.
Some information about the Angels stadium: It’s current lease extends all the way through the 2029 season, however the team can opt out for a new stadium no later than the 2019 season. Hence the Angels have a couple of years to hopefully get a deal done with Anaheim or another nearby city.
Angel Stadium opened in 1966, and the only older major league ballparks still in use are Boston’s Fenway Park (1912), Chicago’s Wrigley Field (1914) and Dodger Stadium (1962).
“Right now, we are in discussions with Anaheim to see if we can find a way to continue to deliver a high-quality fan experience in a city-owned aging stadium,” Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey said. – Shaikin
The talks with Tustin have shut down completely, and they might be dead in the next few months. They wanted to build a 37,000 seat stadium which would cost about $700 million. Tustin officials had said they would not provide taxpayer funding for stadium construction. It’s near impossible with that small of a stadium and price range to reach deal.
The best way solution for the Angels right now is to continue to talk with the city of Anaheim in hopes of getting a remodel and possibly a parking structure. A new stadium would mean a new city. Does the Angels organization want to move again?