ORLANDO SPORTS COMPLEX LIKELY TO BE BUILT IN MAITLAND

     Magic officials have said suburban Maitland, FL, is their
top choice as a site for a new $30M sports complex, and although
they won't say so publicly, Orlando city officials have all but
given up hope the team will build the facility downtown,
according to the ORLANDO SENTINEL.  With sources saying the team
is "95 percent" certain to build in Maitland, the city is trying
to persuade to at least keep their offices downtown.  Magic
spokesperson Gail Fuller said she expects the team to announce in
January their plans for a 350,000-square foot, three-story
center, featuring athletic, medical and educational resources, as
well as the Magic's business operations.  Until then, Orlando
Mayor Glenda Hood said she would continue to push for the
facility to be downtown, even though many at city hall think the
effort is "futile" (Dan Tracy, ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/21).