Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Groups Challenge New LA Stadium

California illegally gave an environmental free pass to allow construction of a downtown football stadium that will hurt poor people, the Play Fair At Farmers Field Coalition claims in court.
     Play Fair and four people sued California in Superior Court, claiming Senate Bill 292 violates the California Environmental Quality Act, the state Constitution and the Code of Civil Procedure.
     "To be known as Farmer's Field, this massive project will greatly affect the lives of people living downtown, in Pico Union, and in South Los Angeles as the likely adverse effects include increased traffic congestion, respiratory ailments, and housing displacement," the complaint states.
     Joining as plaintiffs are local residents Pete Ares, Steve Richardson, Karl Manheim, and Gary Williams.
     Gov. Jerry Brown signed SB 292 on Sept. 27, 2011. The 1.7-million-square-foot stadium is proposed as the home field for one or two NFL teams and could host other sports and entertainment events, such as rodeos, pro wrestling and trade shows, according to the complaint.
     Play Fair calls itself a "coalition of community based organizations focused on protecting environmental and public health in the communities surrounding the proposed project, and individuals who will be impacted by the proposed project." Its members include Los Angeles Community Action Network and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
     Plaintiffs Pete Ares is a 61-year-old part-time phlebotomist with Kaiser Permanente, who lives with his two adult children in the South Los Angeles home where he was born.
     Steve Richardson is a community organizer with the Los Angeles Community Action Network and has lived in downtown Los Angeles for almost 50 years.

Read more: http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/09/04/49904.htm

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