Construction underway at site of Los Angeles Rams' new home in Inglewood

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Thursday, January 14, 2016
Construction underway at site of Rams' new home in Inglewood
It's not much to look at yet but construction is underway at the site of the future home of the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- It's not much to look at yet but construction is underway at the site of the future home of the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood.

NFL owners voted on Tuesday to allow the Rams to move to Los Angeles starting next season.

There will be a transition period for the Rams. The team plans to begin playing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the 2016 season and move into the new 80,000-seat facility in Inglewood in time for the 2019 season.

Rams legend Jackie Slater, former NFL, USC star Chris Hale talk Rams return to LA:

Former Los Angeles Rams legend and NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Slater and former NFL player and USC star Chris Hale discuss the Rams moving back to Los Angeles on Jan. 12, 2016.

Some construction progress has been made in Inglewood. The city's permitting process was done by December, the sewer infrastructure is in place, the land is graded and the architectural plans and construction drawings are finished, according to Inglewood Mayor James Butts.

"It's going to be in the middle of a million square feet of office, close to a million square feet of retail, four public parks, about 26 acres, a hotel, a movie theater," the mayor said. "It's going to be like a sports entertainment complex and it's made to be walkable, so it's like walking around the Getty even when it's closed."

Butts said El Nino-driven storms may delay work on the stadium.

MORE: Fans take to streets after NFL announces Rams returning to LA

Rams fans celebrated after it was announced the franchise would return to Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016.

Chef Scottie, owner of Scottles Gumbo and Grill located across the street from the stadium property, said the economy in Inglewood sank when the L.A. Lakers left the Forum in 1999.

Now he can't wait to see the uptick in business and a return to prosperity in Inglewood.

"Whoa, now this is good for business" Scottie said. "I started my first business about 25 years ago and back-and-forth, back-and-forth, but now this right here is really going to boost sales and everything else."

Rams fan Raymond Trujillo came out to the construction site Wednesday morning to see it for himself.

"I came out today just to see where the stadium is going to be built and get the feel of the area out here. I already went to the Coliseum this morning just to see where we're going to play next season. It's unbelievable," Trujillo said.

Tuesday's decision by league owners also gives the Chargers the option to join the Rams in Inglewood or remain in San Diego. The NFL said the Chargers have one year to make a decision.

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