California Science Center Commission unanimously approved LAFC’s new stadium scheme. Now the MLS franchise needs approval from the LA Planning Commission and the City Council.

LAFC quietly put up a press release on their website on Wednesday, where they announced the California Science Center and Exposition Park Commission unanimously approved the MLS expansion club's plans to build a soccer-specific stadium on the site where the LA Sports Arena currently sits, just beside the LA Coliseum.

According to the club, the next step will be the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission in December, and then the Los Angeles City Council in having the plans approved before any demolition and construction can begin.

The 22,000-capacity stadium is still in early stages, but Los Angeles FC already see it as a landmark.

“This new home for the team would be the first open air stadium in LA since 1962. The project is expected to bring $250 million in private investments to South Los Angeles. Total economic impact over 30 years is projected to be nearly $3 billion and the stadium and soccer club will create 3,000 full time jobs”, said the press release.

One might argue with the claim it would be the first open air stadium since 1962, especially with the StubHub Center sitting in Carson (10 mi south) since 2003. Of course LAFC’s future rivals Galaxy are located in Carson, but it’s still part of the Los Angeles metropolis.