Pasadena To Weigh Plans To Host NFL Team At Rose Bowl
PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — The Pasadena City Council will discuss a proposal on Monday night to host an NFL team at the Rose Bowl while a permanent stadium is being built.
KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports residents appear to be divided over whether the move would prove to be a blessing or a curse for the city.
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A report released earlier this month (PDF) from Manhattan Beach consulting firm Barret Sports Group estimated that a five-year deal could bring in as much as $10 million a year to the Rose Bowl.
Costs for a major renovation effort at the 90-year-old stadium have already ballooned from $152 million to upward of $190 million.
While supporters have argued that NFL games would bring in millions of dollars in revenue to the local economy, some residents have expressed fears of increased traffic congestion in the area.
Back-to-back college and pro games would also force weekend closures of the Kidspace Children's Museum, the Brookside Golf Club, and the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.
The City Council must pass an ordinance to increase the number of major events allowed at the Rose Bowl from 12 to 25 before any plan to host an NFL team can be considered.
Pasadena City Councilman Terry Tornek said Saturday's game between USC and UCLA provides a glimpse of what residents can expect from any NFL games at the Rose Bowl.
"It was a mess...it was handled as efficiently as it could be, but the golf course was closed Sunday," said Tornek. "There was so much damage done to the golf course because of the combination of the crowd, the parking, and the rain that whoever was scheduled to play golf on Sunday didn't get to play."
The City Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
