Trial Over $320M Angel Stadium Development Plan Underway

A civil trial regarding whether the City of Anaheim violated state laws over the $320 million sale of Angel Stadium and the surrounding 150 acres is underway in an Orange County Superior Court. 

Filed by the People’s Homeless Task Force, the lawsuit alleges that Anaheim violated the state’s open meeting laws during the sale and asks that a deal be redone with proper public notice. 

The Anaheim City Council sold the stadium — home of the Los Angeles Angels — to SRB Management, a new company started by team owner Arte Moreno, who reportedly agreed to keep the team in Anaheim until 2050 as part of the deal. 

• Costs included $150 million to the city and $170 million for affordable housing and a park.
• There are plans to develop a mini-city on the site that includes hotels, shops, and restaurants.  

Superior Court Judge David Hoffer said he expects to issue a decision in about 30 days but anticipates an appeal, however he rules.

Uphill Battle

In December 2021, California’s state housing agency declared the sale illegal for not following the Surplus Land Act, which requires public land to first be offered to affordable housing developers.

The deal was spoken about publicly in only two meetings before being approved.