Sportstown Deal to Go Before Council

A $300-million proposal for a complex dubbed Sportstown Anaheim next to the stadium could move a step closer to fruition Tuesday when the City Council considers approving an agreement with the project’s developer.

The agreement would set deadlines and economic terms for Forest City Development California Inc. The Cleveland-based firm already has a negotiating agreement with the city to line up tenants for Sportstown, proposed on the 42-acre, city-owned stadium parking lot.

“It establishes a schedule of performance and certain milestones we have to adhere to to keep our deal in place with the city,” said Victor Grgas, Forest City’s planning director.

Tenants for Sportstown won’t be announced just yet. Forest City has until Dec. 15 to reveal them. One major attraction is expected to be Gotcha Glacier, a giant indoor snow park.

Sportstown is expected to include up to 750,000 square feet of entertainment and retail uses, 250,000 square feet of office development and 500 hotel rooms, Grgas said.

Mayor Tom Daly said Sportstown is an economic boon for Anaheim.

“The really good news here is the tremendous revenue and jobs this will bring into the city,” Daly said. The project’s economic windfall to Anaheim over 30 years is estimated to be more than $220 million, Daly said. The term of the proposed agreement is for 55 years, plus two 10-year extensions.

Daly said the ground lease rent will net the city about $1.7 million a year and will increase every 10 years. Plus, the city will reap millions in sales, hotel and property taxes, he said.

Projected revenues to the city include those from Tinseltown, a Hollywood-style dinner theater already under construction on a portion of the Sportstown site.

Under the proposed agreement, Forest City would also provide $100,000 in free community recreational services to the city each year and also pay an art and cultural fee of $632,000.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in council chambers, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Information: (714) 765-5166.