Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday appointed Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso to the Coliseum Commission, the state and local authority that oversees the Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park.

Caruso, 49, is the billionaire developer of the popular Grove shopping center near Farmers Market in Los Angeles and the Americana at Brand in Glendale and the Commons in Calabasas. The University of Southern California alumni and trustee has long been involved in local civic affairs, including an extended tenure on the Los Angeles Police Commission during which he had a stint as president.

"I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners to enhance this great icon of our city and ensure its future as a dynamic, profitable and appealing venue," Caruso said in a statement.

The Coliseum and Exposition Park are on state-owned land across from the University of Southern California. The Coliseum Commission consists of nine members, three appointed by the city of Los Angeles, three by the County and three by the state.

Recently, the Coliseum Commission made headlines when it chose to drop efforts to lure a National Football League franchise to the 84-year-old Memorial Coliseum and instead seek a long-term agreement with USC's football program.

Recently Caruso was the subject of media speculation about whether he would challenge Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in the upcoming mayoral race; Caruso decided against running on the day before the Nov. 8 filing deadline.