The CEAV Project - A Brief History & Background:

This section will provide a little background on the CEAV Project ('Cal-Expo - An Alternate Vision') and a bit of its history. For the moment, the basic elements of the CEAV Project, and what brought it into being are:

• The California Exposition & State Fair (Cal-Expo) was established in 1854. It's State Chartered mission, as stated in the Cal-Expo policy manual and frequently cited in Cal-Expo documents is:
  
  "...to create a State Fair experience reflecting California including its industries, agriculture, diversity of its people, traditions and trends shaping its future-supported by year-round events."
  
  
• Cal Expo's version of that mission is to open the site to private development of a sports-arena (for the Kings basketball team), "townhouses" and retail shopping. This, the Cal-Expo Board and management (Norbert Bartosik, Brian May) assert, is to rescue the traditional fair venues that have been falling into disrepair due to a "difficult economy" and decreasing attendence and revues over the past decade.
  
  
• The CEAV Project doesn't question the serious economic and maintenance difficulties that have beset the Cal-expo organization. We do, however, question the method upon which they seem fixated (their Cal-Expo/NBA plan) to get themselves out of these difficulties. We not only question (as do others) the ability of that plan to succeed, but we have serious reservations that it will do anything for the "traditional fair activities" other than encroach and eventually destroy them as private developers move in. That, along with destroying environmentally sensitive land; attempting to update a declining enterprise with a "face-lift"; failing to steward the a valuble public commons and public mission in the public interest; saddling Sacramento with hidden new taxes and costs that will worsen - not enhance - our economy; and, finally, showing clear contempt for the needs and interests of California's future economy and people - the generations that will inherit what we leave them.
  
  
• While Cal-Expo had been discussing arena plans with the NBA, behind the scenes, for several years, the matter was not really brought front-and-center to public attention until a page-one story in the Sacramento Bee in late February 2009. More important, it wasn't revealed, until then, that the plan would propose "mixed-use" housing and retail shopping development on the site, along with the arena. While Cal-Expo is a state charted organization using state land, major media outside the Sacramento area reported they did not receive that story or any subsequent news about the Cal-Expo/NBA plans from Cal-Expo.
  
  
• It took only a few hours to realize, despite the fact that I enjoy basketball and think a new home for the Kings would be a good idea, that the Cal-Expo plan was a very bad idea for a lot of reasons. As the days passed and alternatives were considered, just how bad an idea it is became crystal clear. (see the 'Issues' section).
  
  
• During the next week, the draft plan for an alternative proposal took shape. The first sketches were sent to the managment of Cal Expo as early as March 5, 2009. The proposal, "Cal-Expo - An Alternate Vision", was formally presented to the Cal-Expo Board of Directors at their regular public meeting on March 27, 2009.
  
  
• Since that time, the silence from Cal-Expo (as well as public officials who have been notified of CEAV's opposition and efforts) has been "deafening". They have made absolutely no mention of our proposal or arguments against their plan, as far as we can tell. On the contrary, Cal-Expo has clearly and deliberately supressed discussion of any alternatives or public reservations about their intentions (see our 'Issues' section and refer to Cal-Expo's "Letter of Understanding" with the NBA from the right sidebar →).
  
  
• Similarly, the local press (Sacramento Bee's Tony Bizjak) seems to have blocked out any mention of public opposition or of Cal-Expo's methods and pattern to mute any opinions other than those that promote their plan. Again, though the land and the mission of Cal-Expo are State interests, a recent poll of major media around the state; (The L.A. Times, San Jose Mercury News, other news and major media outlets indicates that Cal-Expo chooses to exclude any outlets outside the Sacramento area from its press coverage and distribution. Indeed, a video presentation on Cal-Expo's official website (since removed), appeared to be an interview by a major news organization. In fact, it turned out to be an interview of the General Manager conducted by Cal Expo's own marketing manager ( a fact which CEAV discovered only after some effort).
  
  
• In September, The Mayor of Sacramento and others have expressed some doubts about the ability of Cal-Expo to put together a timely proposal and move it along to implementation phases. Cal Expo has responded by extended its "Letter of Understanding" with the NBA for another six months.(see 'Issues' and other links on this page). However, except for Assemblyman Dave Cox, no public officials have expressed clear objection to the Cal-Expo/NBA plan or questioned Cal-Expo's refusal to consider alternatives such as the CEAV Project proposal.
  
  
• With the launching of this website, CEAV and 'Calfornia Advocates for the 21st Century' begin a campaign to bring the matter to public attention and to raise very serious questions about the way this matter has been handled up to now. We wish to engage the public in an effort, not only to STOP CAL EXPO from its current disasterous course; but to force our public officials review and seriously consider alternatives such as the CEAV Project to the purpose of defining the future of Cal-Expo and the Cal-Expo site to the benefit of all Californians and in the public interest, now and for the future.
  
  

That tracks a bit of the history and important elements in this saga of getting our public officials to do the right thing. We will have more to post on this page and others over the next few months. Meanwhile, we suggest you check some of the links and documents in the sidebar and, keep watching the site. We will soon have a mailing list and blog to further help keep you up to date as things develop. Thanks for tuning in. Red Slider, steward, The CEAV Project

THE CEAV PROJECT - THE ELEMENTS

The CEAV Project, as envisioned, is an enormous undertaking by any standard. In land-utilization terms it not only is projected to encompass the entire 366 acres within the present boundaries of Cal Expo, but as much or more of the surrounding undeveloped or marginally developed land as well. Its major facilities and exhibit areas could well number in the dozens, with many more minor venues, performance stages, special function facilities, and exhibit areas scattered throughout the site. In addition, reclaimed natural and demonstration environments, recreational areas, research stations and other facilites could well extend the scope of the project beyond those limits. High interest areas would be newly created; but, as well, remote areas, existing bicycle trails, parks, wetlands and other natural preserves would be extended and enhanced.

The motif of the project revolves around two basic themes. The first is a transformed and fulfilled vision of the mission of Cal Expo to serve as the permanent presentation centerpiece and showcase for the best that California has to offer, culturally, commercially, environmentally and artistically. A world-class stage for a showcase of world-class offerings, both statwide and globally.

The second theme embraces the presentation and advancement of the technologies, practices and imagination of the future - the tools and services that will be employed to transform our planet into a healthy and sustainable environment for all of its biological residents. This, of course, includes a vast array of topics, from relecamation and restoration applications to new energy and resource management technologies; from advances in health, transportation education models and technologies of the future that will be needed to support such goals.

The presentation itself will consists of both contiguous and remote topical interest venues. A 'Waterworks' area may, for example, present exhibits and demonstrations of water resource managment, reclamation, treatment and other subject related to maintaining a clean and healthy California and global water supply. Alternative energy venues may do the same for energy technologies and conservation. Similarly, Culture and arts pavillions and exhibit facilities may have their own venues for showcasing a variety of cultural and traditional offerings of the people of California. Special interest museums, gallaries, libraries and other culture stations may also be interlaced with various exhibit and presentation areas.

While the size and scope of the CEAV Project is far larger than that contemplated by Cal Expo's current plans for a sports-complex, townhouses and shopping malls, it is expected that CEAV would actually have a far smaller environment and resource footprint than that development plan. Indeed, the very motif of CEAV's tranformative vision, suggests that it should have a net positive impact, both in terms of environment and in terms of resource consumption. Correctly planned and designed, CEAV's own exhibits should produce more energy than they consume, Reclaim and recycle more waste than they discard, and reclaim more sensitive enivronment than it removes.

CEAV's design also calls for the application unique and advanced architectural technologies that would permit its facilities a signficant degree of adaptability and fluid responsiveness to the changing needs, interests and discoveries of the future. This is not to say that a number of its facilities will not be as stunning and interesting as any Worlds-fair or modern Olympics venue. Only that advanced methods should be applied which permit such structures to be 'refashioned' and reconstituted as the nature of their functions change over time. On technology might suggest that some facilities be constructed on "attachment platforms" which serve the function of providing ground attachment and conduits for utilities to 'unspecified' structures that will occupy them. Whatever the method, CEAV has suggested that the plans for Cal Expo include an overarching design element which is capable of evolving over time.

The final, but not less important, element in the CEAV concept is sustainability. To even contemplate such investments in California's future, it must be foreseen that the project will be able to sustain itself far into the future. The above descriptions of enduring interest and flexibility are essential to sustaining attendence and participation. This, of course, will need to be corroborated with detailed analysis. But, at this phase, it is reasonable to assume to that world-class exhibits of high-interest activities and products is a basic ingredient of sustained support. CEAV, however, has taken the matter a step further. Because it has tied the very nature of its 'showcase' function to the most advanced and high-interest investments of the commercial sectors of the economy, it is both natural and profitable for those sectors to invest in the project, perhaps underwriting entire facilities and venues to insure that their related goods and services have the best possible presentation space. As a global, as well as statwide showcase, a transformed, CEAV-like Cal Expo stands to not only become a centerpiece of California's economic structure, but the global hub of green technology, services, products and projects. It is hard to see how one could achieve any more secure sustainablity than that. Only if the world project fails, could such a facility, once established, fail. The two interests are inseparably woven together.

THE CEAV PROJECT AGENDA

At the moment, The CEAV Project is a conceptual proposal, just that. There is still much work and refinement to be done. Indeed, the proposal describes an 'evolving process' that implies further refinement will continue for as long as any realization of it continues (see p.20 of the CEAV proposal, for example) .

Along with that refinement, the concept will need to be translated into terms the 20th century understands - it's politics, its financial methods, its ideas about value and investment. 20th century practices and requirments are still calling the shots (and probably will be for several decades yet). CEAV must satisfy their demands in ways that do not compromise the project itself. That's a tall order which will need to be carefully stewarded and will require very knowledgeable and creative people to do that.


There are at least three intial problems the CEAV Project must tackle:

• CEAV must slow down and ultimately stop Cal Expo's plans for private development. We have had two assists in this part of the strategy. The first, of course, is the continuing uncertainty about the economy. Since Cal Expo has thrown all its eggs in the 'development' basket, they themselves have had to admit that their ambitions have run into serious difficulties finding speculators and developers willing to gamble on such projects during uncertain times.
  
  The second is the Mayor's recent appointment of a taskforce to examine potential locations for a new sports arena. Cal Expo does not appear to be at the top of their list; though one cannot be certain. Cal Expo has had a lot of experience working the backrooms of the matter, and we assume nothing at this point. They have recently extended their arrangement with the NBA for another six months. Making the case, and putting pressure on dropping the NBA plan or any other "mixed use" development plan must remain on our agenda until they actually close the their current plans from further consideration.
  
  
• CEAV must be ready to make the case with a credible proposal. We do not think this will need to be a detailed plan; but it will need to be supported by sufficient economic, social, environmental and visual exhibit that it can be presented in a cogent way and stand up to scrutiny. Cal Expo has had the NBA to fund a number of analysis and concept reports over the past several years, as well as considerableplanning investment on its own. CEAV does not have such resources. We will haveto drawn on the talent of stewards who come forward to help and/or the commercial sector which might be convinced that their support would be in their own interests. Along with that, general public support and political support from throughout the state will be needed. The matter must be moved from that of being a purely local or regional issue to one that is statewide. Art, story, music and poem also have important roles to play. On of the serious drawbacks of the proposal is that it has no visual 'renderings' of what its concept might look like. Cal Expo did have one done with their "master-plan". I our opinion, it was a rather tawdry looking affair ('carnival grotesque') but it was a picture and people did relate to it as something to envision. A picture is going to be worth a thousand words here; and we're going to need dozens of rendings from the best imaginations of architects and artists.
  
  
• Finally, our experience over the past year has informed us that the Cal Expo Board will need to resign or be removed from their appointment for things to really happen. Without any disparagment of the current make up, it is fair to say they simply would not be up to the task of birthing a real world-class CEAV-like project. There are a lot of reasons for this conclusion, though we will not detail them here. The fact that they have remained so fixated on the development scheme they have clearly indicates that they simply do not have the vision or knowledge it would take to leverage in to being anything on the order or nature of The CEAV Project. Sooner or later, that fact will need to be faced.
  
  

That, then, is the playing field. It's a lot of ground to cover. CEAV cannot possibly do it. But well-orchestrated stewardship might. What CEAV can do, did do, is respond to 20th century inadequacies with 21st century imagination. We provided an idea and a website to present it in some fashion. From this point, it is those who have the experience, imagination and will to make it that so will have take the idea forward. We can suggest some methods, and make the appeals help. Beyond that, there's not much CEAV can do. We will of course continue to oppose actions that would foreclose or destroy this unique opportunity. But, even in that, those who are reading this must realize, our effectiveness is limited. To listen, to discuss, to report on what is happening; that we can do. Some, no doubt, will shake their heads and roll their eyes at the "impossibility" of such an idea as CEAV. But we say, flatly, that the only thing that would prove such a project to be impossible is silence. If you can help, please do. Go to our contact page or email us directly: ceav-at-ceav-dot-us