Byline: Mary Beth Alexander Daily News Staff Writer
A proposal to build a $60 million sports arena in Canoga Park received mixed reviews from community members, who met Wednesday night to hear the developer's plan and grill him about potential benefits and drawbacks - especially traffic and parking.
Mark Steele, a self-described entertainment executive, promised that his 9,000-seat arena would be a boon to the community, a sports and family entertainment hub with plenty of parking and minimal traffic impacts.
``We'll do what we have to to make the community happy,'' said Steele.
The project was discussed during a meeting of the Woodland Hills/West Hills Neighborhood Planning Advisory Council at the Fallbrook Mall, attended by about 40 people.
Steele has proposed building the sports complex on land at Rocketdyne's Canoga Park plant, on 16 acres at the northeast corner of the Canoga Avenue and Victory Boulevard intersection.
Steele plans the arena to feature a minor-league hockey team, professional men and women's volleyball teams, a minor-league indoor soccer team, concerts and events such as circuses, ice shows and team tennis.
The complex also would have a recreation center for volleyball, two theme-oriented restaurants and about 20,000 square feet for sports retail.
The project received some support from the committee and audience.
``I think this end of the Valley could use something like this,'' said Al Rosenberg of West Hills. ``Maybe something similar to what the (Great Western) Forum is like.''
But it prompted many questions, mostly about the ability to accommodate the traffic the arena would generate.
``The traffic control problem would be worse than it is at Christmas time with Candy Cane Lane,'' said Steve Witkin of Woodland Hills, who estimated that with each big event, 5,000 cars would converge on the arena. ``To put 5,000 cars on Victory and Canoga . . . is beyond the realm of belief.''
Steele said he had been promised by the Department of Transportation that if he builds the complex, a bus transfer center would be built next to it to cut down on traffic. Also, he said most of the events would be held at night or on weekends, and not during peak traffic hours.
As for parking, he acknowledged that on-site space was scant, but said he is hoping to hammer out a deal with the owner of a garage across Victory, to allow arena parking at night.
Steele also faced questions about lighting and security, which he vowed would be adequate during all sporting events. He also was asked about financing.
Steele said he will be financing the arena with the help of Mariani Financial Co., a Los Altos investment company. But the company said this week that it has made no commitment to the project. He said he hopes to make a bid for the property next week. Sources have placed the price tag at $20 million.
Even as Steele pitched his proposal to the public - a precursor to starting the city permit process - community business leaders were questioning whether he had the credentials or financial backing for such a venture.
