Downtown Arena Proposal Clears Hurdle

Plans for a new hockey and basketball arena near the Los Angeles Convention Center cleared another hurdle Thursday as the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency approved an environmental impact report, development agreement and replacement housing plan.

There are several more steps before the plan returns to the City Council for final agreement. The owners of the Los Angeles Kings, who are developing the $200-million project, plan to break ground this fall and open in the 1999-2000 season.

Despite objections from officials in Inglewood--the current home of the Kings and Lakers--the CRA board unanimously approved a $4.5-million replacement housing plan that will create 500 units, and a deal that requires developers to buy $18 million in city property near the arena, sign a 55-year lease for the property, ensure that workers receive a “living wage” and repay the city’s $70.5-million investment in the project.