Cover Stories Mayor James Butts Emphasizes New Stadium, Other Accomplishments during Inglewood State of the City
Over a thousand guests attended Inglewood’s sixth State of the City address hosted by Mayor James Butts at the Forum on April 21.
The Los Angeles Rams, neighborhood improvements, city finances and an airport sound insulation program, were among the topics addressed.
Butts told residents that when he took office in 2011, he had been the “heir to an accumulated $18.6 million structural deficit, decayed roads, deteriorating sidewalks and a 60-year-old water system that was failing.” Since then, he said, “swift decisive actions and sacrifices” have been required… and taken. “One hundred forty positions were eliminated and all city employees including the mayor and council members voluntarily had their pay reduced.”
Over the past five consecutive years, the Inglewood City Council has balanced every budget (with a surplus in 2015), more than tripled the city’s reserves to almost $40 million and have cut crime to the lowest recorded level in the history of the city.
Mayor Butts shared that by revamping city services such as street sweeping and tree trimming, the city of Inglewood has paved more streets in the last two years than the prior fifteen years combined and the new tree trimming program saves the city over five hundred thousand dollars a year.
The mayor touted the success of the Inglewood Senior Center, the award winning Centinela Hospital and improvements to parking and traffic control. The city also started the reconstruction of Century Blvd., a main thoroughfare leading into the Los Angeles Airport that had long been in need of repairs.
But perhaps Inglewood’s leaders pulled off two of their biggest feats when they reconstructed the “Fabulous” Forum and when they established Champions Plaza, “paving the way for the relocation of the Rams football team.” In a statement released before the address, the City Council said, “The Forum has become the number one concert venue in Southern California.’”
Meanwhile, during the address, Butts welcomed special guests Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, Mark Williams HKS Principal Architect, Inc., Chris Meany Sr. Vice President of Hollywood Land Co., Mia Lehrer of Lehrer & Associates and Kevin Demoff Executive VP of the Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles sports commentators Jim Hill and Fred Roggin hosted the event. Hill was the master of ceremonies while Roggin hosted a special question and answer session with Jones, Kroenke and Mayor Butts.
Butts had worked directly with Kroenke and the Hollywood Park Land Development Company to bring the Rams to Inglewood. When he met with Kroenke, he said, and learned of his interests in bringing the NFL team to Inglewood he told a friend after the meeting ended, “‘There goes our destiny out the door’ and it turned out to be manifest destiny. I want to thank you Stan.”
“I can tell you from the day I landed (in Los Angeles) after that vote in January we came here the next morning,” replied Kroenke. “It’s been a wonderful experience ever since to the person who parks your car to a waiter in the restaurant or just someone you might just meet on the street. Everybody has been so warm it will be exciting to get further involved in the community.”
Mark Williams and HKS Architecture firm, the same firm that helped construct Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys stadium, will build the Inglewood “City of Champions” stadium. It is scheduled to open in 2019.
Butts also discussed housing prices stating that between 2012 and 2015 Inglewood housing prices have risen 85%. “If you want to be part of an economic boom, get in now and buy your property and come armed with your concept and we are ready to embrace you,” said Butts in an earlier interview.
“Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together,” Butts and the City Council said.
The city of Inglewood is a Charter City, they explained, with a council manager form of government.
“Together with the mayor’s clear focus and strong leadership, the five member City Council has created a positive atmosphere, which fosters economic growth and has brought government closer to the citizens all in an effort to meet the unique and diverse needs of their community…”