Facility Notes

Astros Beginning Hurricane Rita Preparations At Minute Maid Park

In Houston, Jose De Jesus Ortiz reports the Astros have begun preparing for the potential of Hurricane Rita hitting Minute Maid Park and the team’s offices at adjoining Union Station. Minute Maid Park’s retractable roof was built to sustain winds of 100mph, and Astros Owner Drayton McLane said, “Our facility was one of the first facilities designed with the new code for hurricanes.” Ortiz notes the Astros at this point have been told that Minute Maid Park would not be used as a shelter (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/21).

DEAL MAKER? In Newark, Matthew Futterman cites five execs involved in the Jets and Giants stadium discussions as saying that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue met yesterday with Giants Exec VP & COO John Mara and Jets Owner Woody Johnson “to discuss the progress of the talks.” The two teams have until September 29 to work out a deal before the expiration of a stadium agreement between the Giants and acting New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey (STAR-LEDGER, 9/21).

ACCORDING TO JIM: Colts Owner Jim Irsay said that the NFL owners on Tuesday approved the team’s new stadium lease over the Internet. In Indianapolis, Michele McNeil notes the final remaining step is for city, state and Colts officials “to officially sign the lease, a move that could be completed today” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/21).