Deal On LA Stadium Lawsuit Paves Way For NFL's Return
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Environmental activists behind a lawsuit aimed at challenging a proposed downtown Los Angeles football stadium announced a settlement Thursday that could jump-start efforts to bring the NFL back to the city.
The Play Fair at Farmers Field Coalition agreed to dismiss its litigation in exchange for a committment from developer Anschutz Entertainment Group to set up a $15 million trust fund which will create affordable housing units in Pico-Union, South L.A. and downtown.
The fund would also go towards improving local housing, parks, and improvements for bus riders.
Members of The Play Fair Coalition and four other individuals filed the lawsuit in August to challenge Senate Bill 292, which imposes a 175-day time limit on lawsuits challenging the Farmers Field project.
The bill signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown also mandates that lawsuits filed within the allowed time bypass the Los Angeles Superior Court system and be sent directly to the 2nd District Court of Appeal.
Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG, said the settlement could mark a turning point in the city's long-delayed efforts to lure an NFL team.
"For the first time in almost two decades, the City of Los Angeles is finally poised to see the return of the NFL," said Leiweke.
