07 & 08 (205)
Public Comment
Subject:FW: Thoughts on the Big A
-----Original Message-----
From: Andy Murphy <
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2020 4:18 PM
To: Big A <BigA@anaheim.net>
Subject: Thoughts on the Big A
Hello Mayor and members of the city council,
I am a resident in your district and wanted to write to give my thoughts on the upcoming vote at tomorrow night’s
meeting regarding the sale of the Angel stadium and surrounding property.
Some members of the council are concerned about the reduction in price from the 325 million in December to the
estimated 150 million. If this of concern, I would suggest the council release the demands that low income housing and
park space be part of the plan. You can also find another property near by to build a new fire station and recover that
money. Then you should be able to get the full 325 million asking price.
This is alarge parcel of land that the city owns. However, as it is, the city gets virtually nothing for its investment. There
is no property tax revenue since it is a city owned property. As you are aware, the cost to upkeep the stadium exceeds
the ticket return value that the city receives under the current lease. I feel that the city should not be in the property
management business. It is best to sell this property and let a developer bring more value to the city. Once the parcel is
built out and individual condos and businesses are sold, the city will receive loads more value as it is developed in the
form of property taxes. This is a win for the city as it is a continuing annuity that will keep giving back to the city.
The stadium (or new stadium if that may be) will define Anaheim for the next 50 years or more. Without a baseball
team, the land is worth significantly less. Just look how much of the platinum triangle construction has been on hold
pending the outcome of the stadium deal. Once the stadium deal is confirmed, you will see a great increase in activity
and investment in and around the platinum triangle.
Many times it has been mentioned that members of the council are upset over the naming of the “Los Angeles” Angels.
I am disappointed too, but a business owner has the rite to name his or her business however he or she feels inclined.
The city lost millions of dollars battling to keep the Anaheim name with the team in court, and the city lost. Note that
other teams are named after the larger greater area but their stadiums are actually located in a different city (New York
Jets, New York Giants, Atlanta Braves, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and I
am sure there are many more that I am not aware of. 3 of these are in new stadiums that opened in the last month).
In conclusion, I support the sale of the Anaheim Stadium property to the development group. Lets please stop the
delays and get this exciting project going in Anaheim ASAP.
Thank you,
Andy Murphy
Anaheim Resident
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