Arcadia Wins! | Issues

Key Issues

Parking: A non-issue and a frivolous and potentially costly ballot initiative for Arcadia since Caruso Affiliated has already committed to free parking for all Arcadia residents. Free parking for out-of-towners would discourage race track patrons from paying for track parking, thereby reducing track and city revenues and creating parking congestion at the new development. Nonetheless, Caruso has said he will make parking free for everyone if that's what Arcadians prefer.
Sign Regulations: A non-issue and a frivolous and potentially costly ballot initiative for Arcadia since the city already has codes regulating signage and since Caruso has publicly stated he has no plans for billboards or signage similar to those at The Grove where the surrounding area is filled with competitive billboards.
Traffic: A non-issue since Caruso Affiliated has laid out specific commitments in writing to spend more than $10 million improving 14 of the 17 intersections around Santa Anita Park with left-turn lanes and computerized traffic signals that will result in superior traffic flow than at present even with 30,000 more daily roundtrip vehicle trips.
Residences/Housing: A non-issue since Caruso Affiliated has officially withdrawn initial plans for housing in the development.
Relocation of the Paddock Horse Barn at Santa Anita Park: A non-issue since the proposed relocation of the paddock barn will restore it to its original location, a more practical placement that will also allow better sight lines for the track façade, with or without the new development. Nonetheless, Rick Caruso has stated that he will leave the paddock barn as is if that's what Arcadians prefer.
Community Theater: The best answer to years of failed efforts by the city and school district to build a performing arts center. Caruso Affiliated has made specific commitment in writing to create a 400-seat performing arts center with its own marquee and entrance at the proposed development at no cost to the city or school district.
School District Office Space: The best answer to overcrowding at the high school and in aging school district offices. Caruso Affiliated has made specific commitments in writing to provide the school district -- at no cost to build or use -- 25,000 square feet of brand new administrative office space at the proposed new development to free up the existing district office building on the high school campus.
Preservation of Santa Anita Park horse track: This development is critical to preserving the historic race track, the owners of which will otherwise seek to find other, and potentially less desirable ways to monetize the enormously under-used parking lot on valuable and privately-owned real estate, such as housing or other retail. (Track owners Magna Entertainment are working jointly with Caruso Affiliated on this proposed development.) On-track attendance is no longer critical to the success of horse race wagering in general, but it is critical to the revenue that the city of Arcadia collects from sales tax revenue on purchases at the track and the percentage of each et that Arcadia collects only from wagers placed at Santa Anita. Revenue from Santa Anita, which pays for most city buildings, including the entire cost of the new fire station being built on Santa Anita Avenue, has declined from about $3 million per year in the 1990s to about $1.5 million per year now, according to city officials. The proposed development will also preserve and enhance the visual and historic appeal of the track, and hopefully revive track attendance as The Grove did for the historic Farmer's Market.
City Resources – Police/Fire: Certainly some increased time and manpower required, but yet to be clearly defined and certainly less than Westfield. (Hopefully, Westfield can do their part to minimize the drain by repairing their alarm system that sparks numerous daily false fire/medical alarms.)
Impact on Westfield Shoppingtown mall: An almost certain increase in business for the mall, as is generally the case when similar businesses build close to each other, from fast-food restaurants to car dealerships and even side-by-side indoor and outdoor malls. Most Arcadians are generally happy with the current mall and its recent expansion and want to see it continue to thrive for the benefit of all.
Increased City Revenue: Best estimates by Caruso Affiliated and the city show an annual gain of $2 million in sales tax revenue for Arcadia, plus potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars more each year to the state and schools from an estimated overall increase of more than $3 million in property tax values.
Town Center: Finally, Arcadia will have an area that will serve as a traditional "downtown" for dining, meeting friends and family, enjoying live outdoor music performances, relaxing on a park bench or strolling by the lake and water fountains.
Security/Safety: Caruso Affiliated has a proven track record of little or no crime at its venues due to extraordinary security and strict and enforced codes of personal conduct and appearance.