The loss of the Arena—which has hosted big names such as Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and the Who in the 1970s, as well as the venue for volleyball in the 1984 Olympics—would have significant financial impact.
While the city has remained quiet on the nature of the talks with the Angels, recent deals could show what tax breaks and other incentives Long Beach might offer the team.
Anaheim leaders say the team has hired a consultant to work on a proposal in Anaheim, something it expects in the next two to four months.
The city councils for both Long Beach and Anaheim will meet to discuss respective deals for the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, as one city hopes to lure the team with a waterfront ballpark while the other plans to entice the team to stay.
Several Downtown business owners said Frank Suryan Jr.’s involvement ups the chances of the Angels move—though most acknowledge the significant financial and regulatory hurdles that are still unresolved.
The Chamber of Commerce and DLBA are planning to mail a letter to the Angels on Monday with signatures of support from local businesses.
A review of waterfront Major League Baseball stadiums shows that the land available in the elephant lot is roughly as large, or in some cases larger, than the land area where other stadiums have been built over the last two decades.
Locals business leaders say an Angels stadium in Long Beach would mean an economic boom for small businesses, retail shops and restaurants.
Long Beach Post readers had strong reactions to the news, exclusively reported by the Post Monday that Long Beach city officials have spoken with the Los Angeles Angels about relocating to the city.
Members of the Long Beach City Council were first informed about the possibility of the Angels relocating to Long Beach during a closed session discussion on Feb. 5 to discuss a real estate purchase.
