LA Rams’ New $5 Billion Stadium Triggers Complaints Of Gentrification In Inglewood

TOPLINE

Local government and developers of the new 70,000-capacity SoFi stadium in Los Angeles’ —home to the LA Rams and Chargers football teams—faced accusations of gentrification by social media users on Thursday after a video emerged of state-of-the-art facilities surrounding the $5 billion project in the city of Inglewood.

KEY FACTS

Additional info

Inglewood has a median household income of just over $46,000, according to Data USA, compared with a county-wide median household income of $68,000. Across California, the median household income stood at $71,000 as of 2019, according to census figures.

Inglewood, also known as the ‘City of Champions’, has long been at the centre of gentrification concerns, with residents increasingly priced out of the predominantly Black and Hispanic area.

Key background

The SoFi stadium reportedly the most expensive sports venue in the U.S., and was originally scheduled to open last year, before heavy rains halted construction. After construction began in November 2016, the stadium is at least 97% complete, developers said earlier this month. The development will house not just the stadium, but shops, homes, restaurants, a performance venue and offices across a 298-acre development.

What to watch for

The stadium had been set to open last weekend with a Taylor Swift concert. But the coronavirus pushed back the site’s opening date, meaning the first NFL game will take place on September 13, between the Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.

Tangent

At least 55 workers on the project have tested positive for coronavirus, with the construction site considered an “active outbreak,” according to the LA County Department of Public Health. Temperature checks face masks are mandatory. A construction worker tragically fell 110 feet to his death on June 5 while working on the roof, while another worker died on July 8 after showing signs of a “health issue,” the LA Times reported. 

Further reading

SoFi Stadium Is Paying The Price For Lifting Its Curtain During A Pandemic (Forbes)

Due to coronavirus, Taylor Swift cancels all 2020 concerts, including events to open SoFi Stadium (LA Times)

Six more workers at SoFi Stadium test positive for coronavirus (LA Times)