Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams' proposal for a new downtown
dome is a "dead duck," according to Houston Mayor Bob Lanier.
Lanier: "They (Oilers management) just backed off because they
can't get (Rockets owner Les) Alexander in the deal."  Alexander
left the project to pursue his own basketball arena.  There has
been city-wide debate over a new stadium since Adams mentioned it
last November and requested that public funds finance $195M of
the proposed $245M project.  Bob Eury, who heads two groups that
promote  downtown, said a new stadium "is a long way from dead,"
and that they are studying the need for more sports facilities in
the city (John Williams, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/28).

     The Raptors and a local Cadillac dealerhsip are close to a
decision on "whether to go ahead with an arena at Bay and Dundas
-- or cancel the idea in favor of another downtown site."  That
is according to a team official who said it is likely a deal will
"be decided in the next week or 10 days."  Although the
Bay/Dundas site was a key ingredient in the Raptors expansion
bid, "almost a year to the day from the bid being awarded, the
would-be arena remains in limbo."  If there is no agreement
between the team and Cadillac Fairview, the Raptors could "wind
up in a new arena" near SkyDome or another downtown site (Jim
Byers, TORONTO STAR, 9/29).