OH SAY CAN YOU CONSECO: In Indianapolis, David
Lindquist writes that Conseco Fieldhouse, which is scheduled
to open November 6, has a "brisk schedule of 25 events
before Dec. 6." Pacers President Donnie Walsh: "Inside our
offices, we've been just as confident that this building
will attract nonbasketball events" (INDY STAR-NEWS, 9/15).
MORE NOTES: In Denver, Beth DeFalco writes that police
"towed just 22 cars near" Mile High Stadium during Monday
night's Dolphins-Broncos game, compared to 51 towed during
the team's second pre-season game. Denver Police Traffic
Division Captain Brian Gallagher: "We hope this indicates
that we are serious about parking" (DENVER POST, 9/15)....A
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER editorial states that City Controller
Jonathan Saidel's report on new stadiums for the Eagles and
Phillies "doesn't give full credit to the civic benefits
that might accrue from the new stadiums, nor the potential
downsides of relegating the teams to Veterans Stadium"
(INQUIRER, 9/15)....Ohio St. Univ. AD Andy Geiger said that
the Ohio Stadium renovation and expansion will cost $30M
more than the original $157M estimate (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-
REVIEW, 9/14)....In S.D., Ronald Powell reports that an
"agreement is near" between the Padres and national and
local preservationists that "would save historic buildings
threatened" by the proposed ballpark development downtown.
Sources said that the agreement is "expected to be
completed" today or tomorrow (S.D. UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/15).