Taking shots at Coliseum

Or more precisely, the Coliseum Commission. Word of USC's potential interest in moving cross-town to the Rose Bowl is almost certainly a negotiating ploy - and it's working, at least in generating lots more (well-deserved) griping about the Coliseum. Even KPCC's Larry Mantle, who almost never takes sides, described the place as a "dump" - as did many of his listeners. For those of us who followed the travails at getting a pro team to a refurbished Coliseum, it all sounds familiar: A commission that's run by city, county and state officials has a tough time getting anything done. Here's a sample of comment to the LAT Web site:

The Coliseum Commission is the problem. They still think they have some sort of bargaining power. They have let numerous tenants leave over the years and now seem determined to drive the Trojans out even though there is no chance in hell that the NFL will ever come back. The Trojans are the Coliseum's main tenant and draw. Perhaps a wise legal-eagle can figure out a way to use eminent-domain proceedings against the Coliseum Commission...

Only the extreme ego and hubris of the Coliseum Commissioners could push out their sole tenant and overcome 80 years of tradition, the obvious benefits of geograpic proximity to USC and all rational thought. In the process, they will render this iconic and historic structure economically unfeasible and hurt the surrounding neighborhood. If they can't get this to work we should throw all the bums out! Even the Rose Bowl Operating Committee (no geniuses in that bunch either) was able to figure out how to execute a long term lease with UCLA.

Win/win for Pasadena. There is one very important thing. Pasadena Police are very well trainned in crowd control. There is going to be no crowd problems, The facilities, though, need to be improved, as well as the parking, etc. How stupid the Colliseum Commission can be. I am sure that the City of Pasadena won't be so stupid. Go Trojans!

USC's Mike Garrett lays out all the familiar needs in his open letter: Replacement of concession facilities, new restrooms, new sound system, new scoreboard, new stairs, elevators and escalators, etc., etc.