The King County Stadium Alternatives Task Force "appears
ready to recommend that a new baseball stadium be built for the
Mariners using a combination of public and private money,"
according to this morning's SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. A
"confidential survey" of the task force's 24 members indicates
that 88% favor a new stadium, but "less certain" is whether the
stadium will include a retractable roof which the Mariners
believe is "essential." The task force also released a financial
analysis that states a roofed stadium would produce the most
revenue, but that the "relatively small difference" from an open-
air facility might preclude its estimated $41M additional cost
(Angelo Bruscas, SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER, 11/16).
KINGDOME COST OVER-RUNS: Members of King County Council
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee "wanted some answers"
yesterday from acting Kingdome Director Dick Sandaas and his
stadium project manager Brian Kasen about the $18.5M cost overrun
on stadium repairs. Sandaas cited an inadequate system of
predicting material costs and the "unforeseen factor" that 50-60%
of the insulation and sealant sprayed on the Kingdome ceiling
fell to the floor as reasons. The completion date for the
project has been extended to March '95. The Seahawks also
submitted a claim yesterday to King County for $2.7M in lost
ticket revenue and other costs during the repairs (Foster &
Bruscas, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 11/16).
