Architect’s model of the proposed NFL stadium in the City of Industry. (Photo Courtesy: http://www.losangelesfootballstadium.com)

By GLENN FREEMAN

City of Industry – Nearly six years after first being proposed in early 2008, it appears the NFL stadium in the City of Industry is still in limbo.

News reports last October quoted city officials as saying the first real groundwork on the site could start as early as this month (January 2014). The expected work would include basic infrastructure required by the City in its deal with Majestic Realty Co., developer of the proposed stadium. However, no physical work appears to have started yet, and city officials stress that any potential work – if and when it commences – does not necessarily signal that an actual stadium is being built.

When asked about the infrastructure in October, Industry City Engineer, John Ballas, told the Los Angeles Daily News that the city “has an obligation to rough grade the site and install the infrastructure, and that’s independent of what they (Majestic) choose to build up there,” referring to the fact that both a stadium and industrial-commercial center have been approved, with the infrastructure complying with both uses.

City officials have said the recent dissolution of redevelopment agencies in California has complicated the process, delaying initial work at the site owned by the city and leased to Majestic. However, recent clarification from the state referred to the $172 million development agreement between Industry and Majestic as being “an enforceable obligation.” Thus, the city, as the successor entity to the former redevelopment agency, is likely obligated to make site improvements.

Ed Roski, Jr., the billionaire head of Majestic, announced his plans for the $800 million, 75,000 seat stadium off Grand Avenue near the interchange of the 60 and 57 freeways, in April 2008. The location has been touted for its central location to 15.5 million people across four counties including, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino.

Roski’s plan to bring an NFL team back to greater Los Angeles was contingent upon receiving necessary approvals, including the NFL’s. But after nearly 20 years without a team, the NFL appears no closer to landing back in Los Angeles except saying that they do want to return, as stated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during October’s Fall League Meeting. At the time, Goodell said the NFL has no preference for a stadium, referring to the various proposals for Los Angeles, including Farmers Field in downtown L.A.

“It’s imperative that we do it successfully if we do,” Goodell told the media. “We don’t have that solution right now,” said Goodell. “The stadium is a key component of that. It’s a foundation for that, and we haven’t found the right solution for it yet.”

In other signs the Industry stadium plan remains dormant, the official website for the project (www.losangelesfootballstadium.com) has not been updated with any news since April 2011. And its related Facebook page was last updated in February 2013.

When contacted for an update on whether work at the site had begun, staff at the Industry City Manager’s office referred us to Majestic Realty, which did not respond to an email inquiry.

So, don’t plan any local tailgating festivities just yet, as it’s looking like it will still be several more years before greater Los Angeles will again have an NFL team to call its own.