While Spurs owners praised San Antonio Mayor Bill Thornton's
"abrupt about-face" in favor of a new arena, they would want the
process to start soon, not five years from now as Thornton
suggested (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/23). ....Dallas City
Council member Bob Stimson proposed the city get an equity
interest in the Stars and Mavericks in exchange for a cash
subsidy of $42.9M toward a new arena. The next negotiating
session with the teams is March 7 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
2/22)....A final draft of a report by the S.F. Transportation
Authority on transportation and parking issues surrounding the
Giants' proposed China Basin ballpark appears to favor opponents'
arguments. The team continues to stress its plans for public
transportation and "dispersed parking" (S.F. CHRONICLE,
2/23)....The contractor laying the foundation for Bank One
Ballpark in Phoenix said architectural and engineering changes
already have put "fast-track" construction back 10 weeks.
Officials with the Maricopa Stadium District and the Diamondbacks
says the stadium will still be ready for the team's first game in
April '98 (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/23)....Indians Owner Richard
Jacobs insists his team will not contribute any more money to
help the Gateway project pay off its debt. The quasi-public
Gateway built Jacobs Field and Gund Arena. Jacobs noted the
cost-cutting measures the team allowed during construction, as
well as the rent, naming rights and bond payments he already
makes (Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 2/23)....WA Gov. Mike Lowry kicked
off the lottery scratch ticket campaign that will help fund the
new Mariners stadium, although the anti-gambling Governor would
not actually buy a ticket himself (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 2/22).
