Despite "private warnings" from workers of the main
construction contractor, Hensel Phelps Construction, that
the Raleigh Arena might not open until December, Centennial
Authority members "say they have won assurances" from
Hensel's top execs that the building "will be ready as
planned" on September 1. In Raleigh, Ned Glascock reports
that both "sides appear to be positioning themselves for
potential legal action arising from the project -- whether
over the arena being finished late or over the final price
tag for construction" (NEWS & OBSERVER, 2/23)....MA
developer Stephen Karp is "moving to sell" his New England
shopping mall "empire," and one estimate has a sale totaling
$1.6-2B. The move "comes as Karp explores new development
ventures in other arenas," including a possible role as a
partner with the Red Sox in developing a new Fenway Park
(BOSTON GLOBE, 2/23)....The Charlotte City Council approved
a deal to pay MN-based CSL Int'l $75,000 plus expenses "to
help its 15-member arena committee come up with options to
replace the Charlotte Coliseum" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/23).
