ILITCH'S FOXTOWN PLANS FOR HIS TIGERS, DO- DA, DO-DA

     After the strike ends, talk of a new downtown baseball
stadium in Detroit will "be renewed, only this time there figures
to be more than debate," according to the DETROIT NEWS' Lynn
Henning.  Henning writes there is likely "to be action" on the
proposed $270M Foxtown ballpark, as Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch
plans to back a 30-year, $200M-plus bond sale.  In addition,
Henning says stadium plans will move forward because of broad
bipartisan support and leadership from the State House, something
that "had been lacking" in earlier talks.  Although some state
assistance will be needed -- including gaming revenue from a
proposed casino --the "bulk of a new Foxtown stadium will be
Ilitch's responsibility."  Ilitch will have to finance close to
$8M a year to satisfy the bond -- money which would be raised by
a ticket surcharge, luxury seating, and advertising.  And he
would lease, not own, the stadium.  Henning predicts "no
participation on the part" of the Lions, which is "just the way
the Tigers want it" (DETROIT NEWS, 3/29).