In Houston, Mayor Lee Brown "pledged" in his State-of-
the-City address that an arena referendum "will be conducted
this year," though the details must still be worked out.
Brown said he wants the arena to be downtown "to add to the
renaissance" of the area and that the Rockets' pending
acquisition of Scottie Pippen "should help garner public
support" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/20)....In Tampa, demolition
of 32-year-old Houlihan's Stadium, former home of the Bucs,
began on Monday. The demolition is expected to be completed
by March 24, and Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer "then has the
right to develop the land for commercial purposes" (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 1/19)....San Antonio Mayor Howard Peak said Tuesday
he'll invite the Spurs "to discuss" a new downtown arena for
the team next to the Alamodome (S.A. EXPRESS-NEWS,
1/20)....In Philadelphia, real estate developer Ronald Rubin
"has proposed" that the city's two new stadiums be built
with a shopping and entertainment center on the site of
Franklin Roosevelt Park and golf course. Under the plan,
the Veterans Stadium site would then be developed into a new
Roosevelt Park. Eagles and Phillies reps are said to be
"interested but noncommittal" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/20).
