Daniel Keating, President of Keating Building Corp., one of
the Philadelphia area's "biggest and best-connected builders,"
has submitted a written proposal to the Phillies and local
officials pushing for a new ballpark, according to Michael
Sokolove of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. The stadium, which is
projected to be one piece of an "elaborate" $500M redevelopment
project, would be located on a 14-acre parcel of Postal Service
land near the west bank of the Schuylkill River. Keating's
proposal reportedly does not address financing, but Keating said
they "are in major discussions with a number of players. We have
some very interesting concepts to finance it." Some city
officials believe the project has a "chance of getting off the
ground" because of Keating's status as a "major player" in
Philadelphia. One city source: "This should be understood as his
vision, not [Phillies President] Bill Giles' or [Philadelphia
Mayor] Ed Rendell's vision." Giles said the club is "actively
considering" Keating's proposal, but is concerned over the lack
of financing. An Eagles spokesperson said they are involved in
talks with Keating and has interest in the site for a football-
only stadium. Keating said his plan "plays out better for
baseball" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 8/20).
