In Orlando, Sherri Owens writes that Maitland city
officials want to "annex" RDV Sportsplex, the Magic's
practice facility, but the sportsplex owners "want to keep
'Orlando' in their mailing address." RDV Sportsplex VP Karl
Droppers: "We've got the sports teams here associated with
Orlando." Maitland officials say the main reason "they want
to bring the 365,000-square-foot complex into the city is
because it will pave the way for future annexations ... The
more businesses the city annexes, the more tax revenue comes
in." Owens noted that bringing in the complex would add an
extra $186,000 each year to Maitland's budget, starting in
2001 (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/23).
MORE GREEN PASTURES: The Packers '99 Media Guide lists
capacity for Lambeau Field at 60,890, compared to last
year's guide listing it at 60,790. Packers Exec Dir of PR
Lee Remmel: "It's all a matter of new accounting procedures
as decreed by the league. We certainly didn't find 100 new
seats" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 8/20). Meanwhile, in Green
Bay, Scott Hildebrand wrote that the Packers spent $15,000 -
-- or $270 an hour -- on "lobbying state lawmakers during
the first six months" of '99 for renovation and expansion of
Lambeau Field, according to reports filed with the state
Ethics Board (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 8/20).
MORE NOTES: An estimated 155,000 attended NASCAR's
Pepsi 400 yesterday at MI Speedway (DETROIT NEWS,
8/23)....In Indianapolis, Doug Sword reported that a city
survey has determined that Market Square Arena and its two
garages "can be razed" and the city "can go ahead with plans
to develop Downtown housing." As a result of the findings,
Mayor Stephen Goldsmith said that he'll "likely recommend
tearing down not only the arena, but both of its garages, as
well" (STAR NEWS, 8/21).
