The image above shows the interior of the Indiana Pacers’ Canseco Fieldhouse. It is arguably the nicest arena in the NBA. It is the pride of downtown Indiana from what I hear. Our love-them-or-hate-them Kings want a new arena, too. Tonight the proposals for one will be on display at our illustrious city hall where council members and business types will shake hands, mingle, and laugh it up— even though no less than half of them privately don’t give a toss about a new arena, let alone the Kings.

Chief among those in attendance who DO give a toss will be Mayor Kevin J and his loyal followers. I must say Johnson’s leadership on this effort has been commendable. I share his enthusisam to keep the Kings in town, and I understand the importance of a new arena–as long as the poor and/or middle class don’t have to fund it in any way, shape, or form.

Provided Johnson and friends can find a way to get the arena funded without pick-pocketing the average Joe in the process (which would be an amazing feat given the history here), the question comes down to where. Personally, I’d like to see it built on the land the city owns in North Natomas–adjacent to the existing arena. Seems to me North Natomas, the official growth area for Sac Town, NEEDS the arena more than any other ‘hood, particularly given the alarming exodus of retailers/restaurants out of that area as I type (Borders Books, Sam’s Club, Johnny Rockets, and countless others).

With a history of council representatives who are widely known to be more passionate about trees than people, the Natomas area in general has been neglected for roughly two decades now, and in my opinion it’s high time the city stepped up to the line and swished a couple baskets for the residents there (many of whom have invested thousands of volunteer hours to do the work the city should have been doing all along).

I’m not sure when the location for the new arena will be chosen, but if and when that time comes I’m hoping community activists in Natomas grab a megaphone and make some noise about keeping the Kings in there.  I’d also like to see Kevin Johnson push for Natomas. Prior to the election he spoke to how Natomas was the future of Sacramento, how important its growth, safety, and future were to him. It’s game time, KJ. How about a bucket or ten for Natomas?

Update: Land swap deal being proposed looks good! http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/2463026.html