Anaheim May Have Jump on Stadium

The race is on to catch the fancy of Seattle Seahawk owner Ken Behring, and the city of Anaheim believes it has a head start.

James D. Ruth, Anaheim city manager, said Saturday it is his understanding that the city will begin “an exclusive six-month negotiating period� to win the right to build a new stadium for the Seahawks, who will move this week into the same administrative offices and training site vacated by the Rams last June.

The NFL has identified Dodger Stadium, Hollywood Park, a site in El Segundo and Orange County as venues under consideration for a state-of-the-art football facility. The Seahawks’ arrival, however, might eliminate the NFL as power broker and put Behring in control of the Los Angeles marketplace.

The city of Anaheim recently unveiled plans for a billion-dollar sports complex, and while there were no investors in line to build it, it’s known they caught Behring’s attention.

Anaheim officials stressed that even though the team would be setting up shop at the former Rams Park, it is not a foregone conclusion that they will relocate to Anaheim permanently. Ruth said there are still tough negotiations ahead but that city officials are hopeful.

“We’re delighted,� Ruth said. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. But they are coming down and they will be negotiating with the city of Anaheim.�

While one moving van was spotted loading equipment at the Seahawks’ Kirkland, Wash., practice facility, Anaheim city crews spent a third day cleaning the former Juliette Low Elementary School, property of the Magnolia Elementary School District, which had leased the school to the city since 1979.

“We’re giving the place a face lift,� one city worker said. “The Seahawks are coming here for a walk-through on Monday.�

A city employee at the site said it was the first time a maintenance crew had been sent to the complex since before the Rams moved from Los Angeles to Anaheim in 1979.

Ruth said although the Seahawks will occupy the practice site and embark on serious negotiations with the city, the city manager distanced Anaheim from any legal entanglements in Seattle.

“We will be doing everything we can to accommodate their immediate needs,� Ruth said. “But the city is not going to get involved in any litigation. Whatever the legal issues are, that is between the Seahawks and Seattle. We will accommodate the team for the training and transition, then begin working on long-term arrangements. We hope we can successfully negotiate.�

Officials said the six-month negotiating period will give the city and the Seahawks time to settle issues such as where the team could play next season. The negotiations could complicate the city’s ongoing negotiations with Walt Disney Co. over renovations to Anaheim Stadium.

Disney, which has purchased 25% and controlling interest of the Angels, has set a March 17 deadline for the two sides to reach agreement on renovations that could cost as much as $110 million. If there is no agreement, Disney can walk away from the deal, leaving Angel owners Gene and Jackie Autry in search of another buyer.

“The baseball issue makes it more complicated for everyone,� Ruth said.

But he did not rule out the possibility of the Seahawks playing at Anaheim Stadium next season.

“It would involve a lot of coordination and cooperation from Disney, the Angels, the city and the Seahawks,� Ruth said. “It’s a difficult one to do, but we’re willing to sit down and talk about it. It’s not impossible if everyone puts their minds together to make it happen.�

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Staff writer Chris Foster contributed to this story.