With the Devil Rays playing their inaugural season at
     the Thunder Dome's Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, a
     "handful of new businesses are popping up on the main drags
     surrounding the hulking Dome," according to Kris Hundley of
     the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES.  The business owners "are hinging
     their hopes on the start of major league baseball on March
     31."  Hundley: "Despite the enthusiasm of these
     entrepreneurs, the lure of big bucks has hardly sparked a
     gold rush in the area.  Empty lots and rundown garages
     sporting 'For Lease' banners still dominate what might be
     considered prime territory around the Dome.  No big hotels
     or major restaurant chains have nailed down sites in the
     neighborhood."  Hundley also profiled four of the new
     businesses around the Dome (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 3/2).

          IU Public Affairs professor Mark Rosentraub contributes
     an op-ed in the N.Y. DAILY NEWS under the header, "Let Yanks
     & Mets Pay Their Own Way."  Rosentraub: "[W]hen the emperors
     from these baseball dynasties come calling for your taxes,
     look carefully at their clothes.  They're naked when they
     predict an economic development return on your dollar" (N.Y.
     DAILY NEWS, 3/3)....Bears President Mike McCaskey recently
     "made the rounds" with gubernatorial candidates to talk
     about a new stadium.  A source "familiar with" the talks:
     "In one breath, he's appealing for help at City Hall to get
     the two year Soldier Field lease extension he needs to [give
     him time to] build a stadium in the suburbs.  In the next
     breath, he's feeling people out about McDome.  He's all over
     the map" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/1)....The development of "The
     Peak Experience," a $30M "mega sports village" being planned
     for a 133-acre area in Canton, CT, is examined by Michael
     Greenwood of the HARTFORD COURANT.  Modeled after New York
     City's Chelsea Piers, the proposed facility would include a
     multi-story golf driving range, soccer fields, running
     track, retail areas, and "several" restaurants.  The project
     is being spearheaded by Simsbury-based Timothy Ellsworth and
     Richard Correia (HARTFORD COURANT, 3/3).