Dear Editor: 

It was so exciting and awesome to hear that we are getting a new 5-acre $12 million sports complex on a portion of the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center’s abandoned south campus. But when I saw the rendering of the proposed sports complex I noticed that it only showed three soccer fields of different sizes, the existing Rose Float buildings, and parking. 

This looked more like a soccer complex and when you deduct the Rose Float area (1.75 acres) and parking (1 acre) you are left with approximately 2.25 acres of field space. A previous rendering showed one multiple purpose field, which was a better approach. 

The sports complex should be developed with at least two full-size fields with striping on both fields to accommodate multiple sports (football, lacrosse, and soccer) to qualify as a sports complex where regional tournaments could be hosted. 

Since the county is looking to develop a future county office complex that will require parking, a shared parking arrangement should be pursued as the future office uses and sporting activities will operate at opposite times and be able to share the parking and free up parking for much needed field space. 

When reviewing the project, something didn’t look right and it appeared that this project was being rushed without proper planning, negotiations, and design, which was concerning. Due to this, I did a little background research and I found a Downey Patriot article dated August 10, 2016 by Eric Pierce titled “$468 million development approved for South Rancho campus.” The article reports that the L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $468 million project, which was comprised of a 70-acres development project and calls for a 15-acre sports complex. 

The article also stated that the county supervisors voted to spend $17 million in initial funding. That’s 10 acres more park area compared to the five acres that Downey is settling for and $5 million less that what was previously approved. 

The article quotes then Supervisor Don Knabe as praising the process and thanking the City of Downey as well as quotes from then Downey mayor and mayor pro tem Alex Saab and Fernando Vazquez along with Councilman Sean Ashton. The article states that all three council members as well as city manager Gilbert Livas, along with AYSO players and coaches, attended the L.A. County Supervisors meetings and testified in support of the 15-acre sports complex. 

I was surprised to see how much the project was scaled back and without explanation. What happened? Who negotiated this project on behalf of the city and who at the county decided and had the authority to reduce the size of the approved 15-acre sports complex? Why is our youth being short changed and why? 

The county and city are indeed trying to rush this project at the expense of our youth and the site is currently being graded. Aside from the questions being raised, the proposed design has many short falls and design flaws. It must be stated that all the current council members with the exception of Sean Ashton were not on the City Council when the 15-acre sports complex was approved on August 10, 2016, hence why they were excited for the measly 5-acre sports complex. 

There is still time to fix this project and make it right. Will the current council step up or will they let this happen on their watch?

Mayor Claudia Frometa, Mayor Pro Tem Blanca Pacheco, Council member Catherine Alvarez, Council member Sean Ashton; and Council member Mario Trujillo need to step in now and fix this project and hold city staff that negotiated this project accountable. The Downey Patriot also needs to do a follow up story and see what changed and what votes were taken by the L.A. County Supervisors to cut this approved project by two thirds in size and $5 million. 

I reached out to former staff of former L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, who spearheaded this project and they were surprised at the cutbacks of project size and funding. I also reached out to Janice Hahn’s office and they did not respond.  

We need answers and hopefully get what we were originally promised. Thank you and I look forward to a fast resolution to this matter.

Chris Magaña
Downey