The Public Facilities District (PFD) "signed off on a
final construction contract" with Safeco Field contractor
Hunt-Kiewit yesterday, "brushing aside concerns raised" by
the Mariners about "structural flaws" at the facility,
according to Neil Modie of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER.
Both the PFD and Mariners hinted that "litigation appeared
to be increasingly likely" over the construction and cost-
overruns. The Mariners felt that it was "irresponsible" to
let Hunt-Kiewit "off the hook" and took reporters on a tour
of Safeco Field, "pointing out cracks on two levels of the
concourse." But PFD officials said that Hunt-Kiewit "will
remain fully liable, under terms of the agreement" for the
cracks, and stated that the team is "merely looking for
excuses to seek more public money" for $100M in construction
cost overruns. The PFD "gave the Mariners until" December
10 to agree to Hunt-Kiewit's final construction contract of
$350M, even though the team said that they "would go no
higher than" $349M (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 11/10).
