Anaheim officials have further delayed the anticipated release of the comprehensive condition assessment for Angel Stadium, a publicly owned asset. While city leaders had anticipated results by mid-2026 earlier this year, the completion timeline has now been extended. Interim City Manager Greg Garcia stated in a city council meeting earlier this month that the final assessment, following selection of a structural consultant, was expected "late this year." However, City spokesman Mike Lyster later indicated in an email that the city is "now looking at the end of 2026" for completion.
The assessment process commenced four years ago, initiated by predecessors following a corruption scandal that derailed a proposed land sale of the stadium. In May 2023, Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and the city council approved a $325,000 contract with a Missouri-based company to conduct the assessment. At the time, Anaheim Convention Center Director Tom Morton informed officials that results would be available in two months, with the agreement emphasizing that "Time is of the essence." City spokesman Mike Lyster previously clarified that the initial contract covered only a visual survey, the first phase of the assessment.
Officials have provided brief monthly updates on the assessment’s phase but have not disclosed any findings or the total costs incurred to date. Mayor Aitken emphasized the importance of thoroughness over speed, stating, "I favor getting it right over getting it fast." She also noted that the study will inform future negotiations with the Angels, asserting the city’s entitlement to a "first-rate professional stadium." Angels spokesman Marie Garvey directed inquiries regarding the assessment and the lease to the city. Other city council members did not respond to requests for comment.
The assessment is critical in the context of the Angels' reinstated lease agreement. The original 23-year lease, approved in 1996 by a city council led by then-Mayor Tom Daly, was walked out on by Angels owner Arte Moreno in 2018. Former Mayor Harry Sidhu reinstated the lease in early 2019, a move that preceded the collapse of a stadium sale deal amidst an FBI corruption probe. Under this reinstated lease, which can extend to 2038, the Angels are responsible for maintaining the property at a "first class professional level."
A state audit, initiated by State Senator Tom Umberg and State Assemblyman Avelino Valencia, reviewed the lease terms. The audit found that the lease significantly limits revenue for Anaheim and contains unclear terms, hindering city officials' ability to verify proper maintenance. Former City Councilman Jose Moreno, who called for the assessment in 2022, stated the lease dictates that any necessary upgrades to sustain the stadium at a "world-class level" must be funded by the tenant. Both Senator Umberg and Assemblyman Valencia underscored the public nature of the asset and the need for clarity on its condition, with Senator Umberg suggesting repairs should fall on the Angels as beneficiaries.
City officials require an access agreement with the Angels to conduct the condition assessment, a procedure state auditors indicated might be necessary for every inspection. Assemblyman Valencia and Mayor Aitken both advocate for routine assessments once the current study is complete, ensuring ongoing oversight of this municipal asset. The results of the prolonged assessment are expected to significantly influence upcoming negotiations with the team and potentially another land sale of the stadium.
