For professional sports in the County of Orange, these are the worst times. THE Angels last appeared in the playoffs 11 years ago, the Ducks Seven years ago.
Ducks, Embrace a complete reconstructionscored more points last season than in six years. They still displayed a losing and licensed record their coach. Angels, refuse a complete reconstruction or an all-in-inare back in the last place.
Today, we bring good news to faithful sports fans who have long been blowing orange County. By announcing a renovation of $ 1 billion from the Honda Center, the Ducks reveal what could be the most friendly policy ever adopted in our local culture centered on the car: easy parking.
No more cars that go to the parking caretaker. No more mixes in your wallet for money or a credit card. No more scrolling through your phone to find this bar code, or rush into your glove compartment to find this parking pass.
Simply drive and enjoy the show.
“We think it will bring people in 20 to 30 minutes faster,” said Bill Fartz, OC Sports and Entertainment Director.
“Parking is the first thing you see when you come to a concert or a sporting event, and get out of it, we remember. So we work very hard to make sure that these two things are great experiences.”
The renovations revealed on Tuesday include a five -story entrance space and community rally; new and extended concession zones to shorten the lines; New and renovated suites and luxury seats; and three new parking garages.
It is a welcome boost at La28. The Honda Center will organize Olympic volleyballAnd the owners of the Ducks throw a billion dollars lifting.
“If you are going to spend this kind of money,” said Fartz, “why not do it when the world comes here?”
In fact, the owners of Ducks Henry and Susan Samueli would still have spent the money. They previously engaged $ 4 billion in the OC Vibe Development Now under construction around the Honda Center, with a performance room, restaurants, a catering room and a park that should open its doors next year, with houses, hotels and offices and additional entertainment places to follow.
That's all – The district around the arena – Who has shaped the parking policy. Whether you stop to watch the Ducks, see a concert, take dinner or just meet friends for a walk, politics is the same.
“What we are trying to do is eliminated this transaction that everyone has when you shoot a parking lot,” said Fartz. “You just will train.”
This does not mean that you will not pay costs to access the general car parks for a game or a concert, but the costs will be part of what Fartz called a ticket “all inclusive”.
The Ducks say that this parking model is “the first of its kind in an American arena”.
The arena, we must note here, belongs to the city of Anaheim.
“The Ducks are an unrivaled partner with Anaheim,” said mayor Ashleigh Aitken. “These are great Honda Center intendants, and OC Vibe will bring new energy to the surroundings.
“What makes them so special is their dedication to the experience of fans, ensuring that their subscribers feel valued.”
Duck owners increase the cost of renovating the arena.
“The whole Samueli family is behind it,” said Fartz. “We finance all this. We have never obtained city money for renovations here. ”
Which contrasts strongly with the current dead end between the city and the angels above the Future of Angel Stadium.
The city has moved away from two offers in which the owner of the Angels, Arte Moreno, would have paid to renovate the Angel stadium and develop the field around the Angel stadium, in the same way that the Ducks do around the Honda Center.
“I hope to reproduce this in the Angel Stadium,” said Aitken, “but realize that the teams are just in different places.”
THE The most recent agreement collapsed in 2022, after the disclosure of a FBI corruption investigation in former mayor Harry Sidhu, who was sentenced in March Two months in federal prison.
Moreno has so far shown little interest in a third cycle of negotiations, despite an invitation This month of Aitken.
“I will not put $ 200 (millions) or $ 300 million in a stadium that has a city without any of their participation,” Moreno said the team's website in February.
Foutz said the Ducks and the Angels communicate regularly and said that he had informed the president of the Angels John Carpino on the renovation plans of the Ducks. Foutz said he had heard nothing to indicate that the angels were making similar plans.
“I know nothing about what's going on there,” said Fartz.
Ducks' parking innovations are cool, and a dynamic entertainment village around the arena is great, but what would be really great is that one of the County Orange teams appears in the playoffs during this decade.
While Foltz spoke of the brand new, Grand New Plaza outside the Honda Center, he looked melancholy. The watch celebrations in the playoffs require a team of the playoffs.
“I jealously look at the Kings and Edmonton play,” he said, “or seeing Toronto, where they have as many fans outside as inside. We build for this future.”
Bring it. Soon, please.
