HOK+LOBB, which is deciding whether the Expos' proposed
downtown ballpark meets MLB standards, "also has been
helping the team complete" its ballpark plans, according to
Paul Cherry of the Montreal GAZETTE. During the past week,
officials from HOK+LOBB have "quietly met" with
representatives from the team's prospective ownership group
and Axor Group Inc., the Montreal-based company chosen to
design and build the ballpark. HOK+LOBB officials took the
ownership group and Axor reps on a tour of U.S. ballparks
last week "to discuss design." Ownership group spokesperson
Jean Simard: "I can't say what ball parks they were, but
they are comparable to what our plans call for." But there
is some debate in Montreal as to whether HOK+LOBB "is in a
conflict of interest" with its involvement with the Expos
ballpark project. Cherry: "Can a U.S. company that designs
spectacular, yet expensive ball parks make an unbiased
decision on a very inexpensive Montreal downtown-stadium
proposal?" HOK+LOBB "refused" to comment on the matter.
But IN Univ. sports economist Mark Rosentraub wonders
whether the new ballpark would reap enough revenue so the
team could afford its top players: "Are we going to have a
facility that generates the revenue to make the Expos
competitive, or are we going to put them in the [C]$175-
million stadium and not make any money?" (GAZETTE, 8/17).
STAYING PUT? In DC, Mark Asher writes that the chances
of the Expos relocating to DC/Northern VA or Charlotte
"appear to be declining." Expos marketing consultant Roger
Samson "hopes" to complete a ballpark plan within four
weeks: "The key point is: There are no snags. We are
progressing one day after the other." Meanwhile, PSL sales
for the new ballpark "have surpassed" half of the US$50M
goal. A new investment by Jeffrey Loria would "enable" the
Expos to "virtually eliminate" their estimated $46-53M in
debt, including an estimated $20M loss this season
(WASHINGTON POST, 8/17). But on Sunday, the BOSTON GLOBE's
Peter Gammons cited industry sources as saying the Expos'
chances of staying in Montreal are "50-50 at their wildest,
most optimistic best" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/15).
