The measure, Assembly Bill X3 81, will also nullify a lawsuit by Walnut-based Citizens for Community Preservation, who claimed that Industry approved the project without sufficiently reviewing its environmental impact. The privately-funded, multi-billion dollar project, which includes $800 million for the stadium, would be located at the southern side of the Highway 57 and 60 interchange, on a 600-acre parcel of open space currently under lease to Majestic by the City of Industry.

“This is the best kind of action state government can create—action that cuts red tape, generates jobs, is environmentally friendly and brings a continued economic boost to California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger in a statement released today. The governor’s statement said the stadium would generate more than 18,000 jobs and more than $762 million for the area, while opponents fear its environmental and traffic impacts.

 

Less excited was Citizens for Community Preservation’s Howard Wong, who recently told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, “This stadium saga makes us believe that citizens are powerless when confronted by big campaign contributors.”

 

The 75,000-seat stadium is being planned by Dan Meis of Aedas Sport, who also designed the Staples Center in downtown LA. The site’s undulating topography helped inform a unique design: the general seating is set into a hillside and the suites and club seats are located in a free standing building on the other side of the field. The plan would create an outdoor feeling to the complex with picnic seating, and a retail promenade.

 

The planned LEED-certified project would also include permeable parking lots, recycled construction materials, water conserving fixtures and recycled water for landscaping. With the environmental exemption in place, Majestic Realty now needs to sign a team to begin construction. If they can do this, construction is anticipated to take 24-26 months.