NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has decided to put in his two cents about Edmonton's proposed downtown arena. Bettman is suggesting city officials look to California for some inspiration on how to construct the new district.

Bettman believes the Edmonton Oilers should have a new arena to play in.

"Anybody in Edmonton who has any questions about building an arena and doing a revitalization of downtown should come here and walk around," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Bettman says the Staples Center in Los Angeles has what our city needs to liven up downtown. The entertainment district around the arena is called L.A. Live and is described as a place to dine, play and stay in Los Angeles.

"They should actually first be shown all the pictures of what this area looked like 15 years ago and then they should walk around here and see what can be done to transform a city. It is spectacular," said Bettman.

The Katz Group has hired AEG, the same company that owns the Staples Center to work on its proposal for the downtown arena. But the difference between the Staples Center and Edmonton's proposed arena, the Katz Group wants to city to pay for and own the $400 million arena. AEG says full funding for the Staples Center came from the private sector.

"Everybody has made assumptions about what will or won't be, I think you have to wait to see what will be," said Mayor Stephen Mandel.

City Coun. Don Iveson doesn't agree with spending any taxpayer money on the arena. He says city council has been kept in the dark about details, other than being asked to foot the $400 million bill.

"As far as who holds the mortgage and who owns the land and who owns the building -- these are cut and dry things for me. I don't want to be the landlord for a sports team."

Earlier in the week, the Katz Group submitted its zoning application to the city for the arena development.

The group says it agrees with Bettman's comment and insists it is dedicated to all planning stages.

"We are also very conscious of spending the time necessary to make this development right for Edmonton and ensuring that it has a uniquely Edmonton feel and texture to it," the Katz Group added in a statement.

With files from Erin Isfeld