Our speaker, John Semcken, presented his master design plan for the L.A. Football Stadium.  The same team that developed Staples Center has finalized plans and received approval for the home of L.A.’s next NFL franchise.  No, it is not the one AEG and friends are proposing in downtown L.A. next to Staples (which John designed).  John has gone from “Top Gun” in the U.S. Navy to point man at Majectic Realty Co. since joining them in 1996.  This stadium would be located at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways in City of Industry.  Why there you ask?  Because this location is essentially the most desirable location in all of SoCal, or so says John.  His facts seem to support him.  Demographics show that there are 11.5 million people within a thirty (30) mile radius of the site and 15 million people within an hour drive.  Since most people in the last decade are moving east of Los Angeles and heavy concentrations of folks have moved to the East Valley area, this may be the most desirable site for a new stadium. 

John is no stranger to stadiums; he has researched every stadium in North America to determine capacity, parking, revenue production, concessions, rentable space, etc., etc.  He chose this 600-acre farmland site for several reasons.  One is because it is situated in a natural bowl like Chavez Ravine, which means he plans to build into the side of the natural grass and soil, which lowers the costs dramatically.  Because of this, he will not need to heat or cool three sides of the stadium, only one.  Naturally, there will not be a need for a roof since we live in sunny California.  And, the plan is for 75,000 seats, 12,500 club seats, and 176 suites.  Additionally, there will be 1.4 million square feet of office space available and 256,000 square feet of restaurant space along with 25,000 parking spaces.  There will be enhanced lines of site at all levels unlike other stadium seating allowing fans better views, all unobstructed.  This sounds like it will be the stadium of choice since parking, freeway access, costs to build and so many other factors seem superior to the AEG proposed stadium in downtown L.A.   Thank you, John, for designing this beautiful concept and sharing your thoughts with the greatest Rotary Club in the world.

(Pat Dolphin)