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The UCLA baseball team was granted permission to resume use of the stadium at noon Tuesday after a judge temporarily lifted an order barring the team from entering the field on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ West Los Angeles campus. Got it.
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter on Monday issued an order restoring access to UCLA’s Jackie Robinson Stadium through July 4, allowing the team to complete next season. The stadium would then face an uncertain fate.
After a four-week trial this summer, Carter ruled that the lease to UCLA for 10 acres on which the stadium is located was illegal because it did not focus on serving veterans. He ordered stadiums to be locked down in late September.
The class action lawsuit alleges that the Veterans Administration failed to meet its obligations to provide adequate housing to disabled veterans and leased portions of its 388-acre campus for other purposes. , permanent maintenance.
In an attempt to regain use of the stadium, UCLA attorney Raymond Cardozo said the university is willing to nearly double the rent to $600,000 and free up two acres for housing. Carter initially rejected the offer as he worked with lawyers in the case to identify parcels where the first 106 modular units of temporary housing could be placed.
After selecting the stadium parking lot and two other lots during Friday’s hearing, Carter abruptly reversed course and asked the lawyers for the veterans who filed the lawsuit why they would give up $600,000 when there are no veterans. I accepted it and asked if baseball teams shouldn’t be allowed to play in the stadium. Use it. He gave them a weekend to talk to customers.
Lawyer Roman Silberfeld, appearing in court Monday, said he objected to the conditions stated by the judge.
But Carter said he doesn’t think it makes sense to part with money that could be used for housing now.
He once again urged the university and veterans to reach a “comprehensive” agreement by July 4, when the grace period ends, and said he still considered the stadium as a potential housing site. He suggested that one option is to use the more than 30 acres UCLA owns on the Palos Verdes Peninsula for a new stadium.
UCLA praised the decision in a statement attributed to athletic director Martin Jarmond.
“I’m excited to be practicing and playing at Jackie Robinson Stadium this season.” “Our young people have worked hard and remained positive throughout these uncertain times and we are delighted that they can resume normal training at the stadium.”
Rob Reynolds, a military veteran who serves as a spokesman for the plaintiffs, said Carter’s change of heart “surprised everyone.”
Reynolds said the veterans felt insulted that the amount offered was less than the salary of a UCLA baseball coach.
“It’s a travesty for veterans to see them come back for free,” he said.
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