Rival NFL stadium plans duel at downtown L.A. forum

Majestic Realty Vice President John Semcken said his company's plan to build a 75,000-seat venue in Industry - on the Diamond Bar border - would draw fans to the city without exposing it to any development risks.

Anschutz Entertainment Group operations chief Dan Beckerman countered that his company's proposal for a stadium in downtown Los Angeles is the better option because it also entails the renovation of the adjacent Convention Center.

The forum sponsored by the Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs featured a trio of panelists who cheered on AEG's aspirations to build the stadium in downtown Los Angeles.

"This project is about the further revitalization of downtown L.A. that started with Staples Center," Beckerman said. "What we're looking to do with this project is build on that success."

Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry rallied behind the AEG stadium idea as did David Pettit, the Natural Resources Defense Council's senior attorney.