Fairfax County, VA's bid to build a $250M MLB stadium is
"gaining momentum" as troubles "mount" at a rival site, according
to the WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL. John Lombardo writes the
Arlington County location may pose "insurmountable" obstacles
after both the FAA and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
reports "raised concerns" about noise problems at the site --
only a half-mile from National Airport. VA Stadium Authority
member Michael Frey: "By default, the [Fairfax] site is starting
to look better." A final location decision is expected by
August 15 (WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/10). Yesterday, the VA
Stadium Authority extended its deadline for site applications to
June 17 (WASHINGTON TIMES, 5/14).
SURVEY SAYS: Wyle Laboratories, one of the nation's largest
aviation acoustics companies, conducted noise level tests at the
Arlington site last week, according to the WASHINGTON POST.
Results determined that "when the wind is right," noise from jets
taking off would be loud enough to disrupt infield chatter among
players, drown out conversations in the stands and obscure the
voices of vendors and announcers. It is estimated that 50 planes
would pass within 400 feet of the site, at 500-1,400 feet in the
air, during a typical ballgame. Arlington officials say they
believe fans would get used to the noise, the way New Yorkers are
accustomed to LaGuardia Airport jets flying over Shea Stadium
(Eric Lipton, WASHINGTON POST, 5/13). Columnist Tony Kornheiser,
noting the Arlington site is a mile closer to the airport than
Shea is to LaGuardia: "You ever been in Shea when a plane is
taking off? It sounds like Nine Inch Nails is inside your skull,
slamming garbage cans. This would be LOUDER" (WASHINGTON POST,
5/14).
FUNDING: Meanwhile, telecom mogul William Collins, who is
leading one group working to bring a MLB club to the DC area, is
calling on lawmakers to push for public funding for the stadium.
Collins, who believes proposed user fees will fall "woefully
short" of funding: "The ownership group fully expects to spend
some $150 million for a franchise. We simply cannot afford to
spend another $250 million for a stadium" (John Lombardo,
WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/10).
