Sacramento Kings Arena Deal Would Create Up To 3,500 Jobs
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the Sacramento Kings unveiled a labor agreement plan to create as many as 3,500 jobs.
At least 60 percent of those workers must be from the Sacramento area, with hundreds of those being entry-level apprentice jobs.
"We are going to have 3,500 jobs that are going to be represented with construction workers working on that building in Sacramento," Johnson said.
The announcement comes a year before construction begins at on a new downtown arena.
The team says the agreement goes a long way to make sure the arena can get done on time and on budget.
An agreement this soon doesn't happen very often, but the work the city put in during the last several years is a big reason the two sides were able to come together so quickly.
"We will be constructing the most technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable arena in the nation," said Dennis Canevari, president of the Sacramento/Sierra Building Trades Council.
And with it will come thousands of jobs.
"You'll see a cross section of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, laborers, operators and other associated crafts," Canevari said.
The deal with the council and Turner Construction will recharge a local industry that was hit hard during the recession.
"Three weeks ago I had twins so these jobs are huge for my family," said Ronnie Allen, an electricians union member.
The agreement comes a year before demolition is set to begin at the Downtown Plaza, but it was expected, since hiring union workers to build the arena was a mandate the Sacramento City Council agreed on well before Vivek Ranadive bought the team.
"We want to make sure that those who are disadvantaged—who don't normally get to participate. we have those people in mind," Johnson said.
And for Musaqoi Young-Siglowide, who served in Iraq, she's grateful her fellow soldiers will also have a chance to play a role in transforming downtown Sacramento while getting a decent paycheck.
"It recognizes that veterans have earned their way into America's middle class."
The agreement also reduces the threat of lawsuits against the project.
If all goes as planned, the arena will open in 2016.
