A deal is "in the works" to satisfy SkyDome's objections to
the Raptors Air Canada Centre arena project, according to the
TORONTO STAR.  SkyDome has complained of "inadequate" bus parking
and pedestrian access at the Raptors' new facility and appealed
the Ontario Municipal Board's approval.  Dale Martin, a former
City Councillor hired by the province to "help clear the way" for
major developments, said, "We have a general agreement on what
would work."  Under the proposal, the province would "accept
responsibility" for additional bus parking as needed, and the
city would agree to install additional pedestrian connections.
Martin: "If the bus parking and pedestrian access are addressed,
I don't care who pays for it.  My issues are resolved" (Paul
Moloney, TORONTO STAR, 10/4).

     Cities that have recently built stadiums have learned it
takes time for them to "have an impact" on their local economies,
according to a story in the Nashville TENNESSEAN.  Bill Carey
writes cities are also finding football stadiums don't have as
much of an impact as baseball parks or arenas, and "sports arenas
are no substitute for a healthy economy" (TENNESSEAN,
9/30)....San Francisco Mayoral Candidate Willie Brown joked last
week about the $500,000 fee 3Com paid for the naming rights to
Candlestick Park.  Brown: "If I had known the city was prepared
to settle so cheaply, I would have bought it (naming rights) for
my campaign, Willie Brown Park!" (John King, S.F. CHRONICLE,
10/3).