With opposition growing to USC’s plan to control of the parking lots around the Coliseum as part of the master lease with the historic stadium, athletic director Pat Haden wants supporters to attend next week’s California Science Center board meeting.
Here’s a fiery excerpt:
“Despite what you may have read in the LA Times or hear from misinformed members of the public, this deal does not in any way hurt the museums in Exposition Park and in fact helps solve major financial problems looming over the Science Center should the deal not be approved,” Haden said.

My Fellow Trojans:

I know we’ve asked a lot of you over the years, but USC Athletics needs your support once again. The Board of Directors of the California Science Center is poised to vote on the historic transaction that would transfer operational responsibility for the Coliseum and the Sports Arena to USC. The critical issue before the Science Center board is whether they will provide adequate and affordable parking in the Exposition parking lots, which they control, in order to allow USC to operate the venues in a viable way.

USC and representatives of the Science Center and the State of California have been negotiating for months on a fair and reasonable deal that will ensure adequate and affordable parking for the venues, including USC home football games. We believe we have reached a reasonable deal that benefits all parties involved. Despite what you may have read in the LA Times or hear from misinformed members of the public, this deal does not in any way hurt the museums in Exposition Park and in fact helps solve major financial problems looming over the Science Center should the deal not be approved.

So this is where you come in. Quite frankly, I need a favor from you, I need your help. We need everyone who can spare the time and energy to show up at the Science Center board meeting on Tuesday morning, June 25th, at 9 am in the Loker Conference room at the California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037. The agenda for the meeting can be found here.

Parking is free if you tell the parking structure attendant you’re there for the public meeting of the Science Center board. I would greatly appreciate it if you could attend the meeting and sign up to speak (3 minute maximum) and talk about how important saving the Coliseum is to this City, and how critical it is to have adequate and affordable parking in order for the venues to survive. If public speaking isn’t your thing, it would be wonderful if you could just show up and show your support for the Board’s approval of this deal. And while you’re there, stop and see the Endeavor Space Shuttle on display, it’s quite a sight to see (but call in advance to reserve a spot, its free).

I know we’ve been at this for quite some time, but we really believe that this is the final home stretch. We’re on the 5 yard line and we need your help in getting us over the goal line. If you have any questions about getting to the Science Center, please email Lisa Gallegos at lvelasco@usc.edu.

Thank you in advance once again for your support. And Fight On!

Sincerely,

Patrick C. Haden
USC Director of Athletics

Charles Griffin Cale
Director of Athletics’ Chair