FACILITY NOTES

          In Houston, Eric Berger writes that supporters of a new
     $175M arena in Houston have enlisted U.S. Rep. Bill Archer
     "to help carry their message to conservatives in western
     Harris County."  Archer appears in a pro-arena TV commercial
     that will begin airing this afternoon.  Considered "one of
     the most credible political figures with white conservative
     voters in the area" Archer's support is seen as "key" to the
     success of the arena campaign (HOU. CHRONICLE, 10/26)....In
     London, Patrick Harverson reports that the total budget for
     the new Wembley National Stadium could reach US$870M, almost
     three times more than expected.  According to documents to
     be sent to London financial institutions this week, the
     Football Association group in charge of the project, Wembley
     National Stadium Limited, needs to raise $588M (FINANCIAL
     TIMES, 10/25)....SOCCER AMERICA's Ridge Mahoney writes that
     the MetroStars have hired architectural firm ARQ as well as
     consultant Rick Horrow, with hopes to begin their stadium
     presentations to communities next month.  Meanwhile, Mahoney
     reports that Burn GM Andy Swift denied that the Hispanic
     community "helped force his hand" in the decision to fire
     coach Dave Dir.  Dir: "He never came out and said it, but he
     implied he was getting pressure from the Hispanic community
     to make a change" (SOCCER AMERICA, 10/25).