dy/coliseum/10″/mike1st/mark2nd

No. 46

New Coliseum Partners Hires NBBJ

It was L.A.’s Hail Mary of the year.

Sensing that its plan to bring NFL football back to the Memorial Coliseum was fading fast, a team led by developer Edward Roski Jr. hired architectural firm NBBJ last fall to come up with a new design for overhauling the venerable stadium.

NBBJ had to work fast because the decision to redesign was made just weeks before a crucial presentation to NFL team owners in Kansas City.

At that meeting, two competing proposals were presented: one led by former Hollywood superagent Mike Ovitz, which involves a Spanish-style stadium/mall in Carson to be called the Hacienda; and the other from a group looking to bring an NFL team to Houston.

Some NFL owners who previously had expressed doubts about renovating the aging Coliseum changed their tune upon seeing the last-minute redesign. Several said they were impressed by the 68,000-seat Coliseum’s new look, which calls for 15,000 premier seats and 156 suites, as well as canopies draped over midfield seats for a more “intimate feel” and protection from the weather.

The reworked proposal included not only a renovated Coliseum, but additional improvements to the surrounding Exposition Park area. All the facilities would be connected by an aerial tram system running throughout the park.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said the league will probably call a special meeting in February to consider the three proposals. A new franchise could be awarded as early as March.

D.B. Young