Facility Notes

Roberts Says Saratoga Needs Significant Investments To Stay Competitive Globally

Saratoga Race Course consultant Paul Roberts yesterday "outlined general track needs" and said that the "aging facility needs significant investment to stay competitive globally." NYRA has retained Roberts to "develop a master plan for each of its venues, starting with Saratoga," and he is "expected to make specific recommendations later this year." Roberts "believes the property has room for new, concrete-block barns," but he "criticized the grandstand's rooftop press box, and interior infrastructure such as exposed pipes, ducts and electrical apparatus." Upgrades and improvements "won't be possible until NYRA gets the funds needed for such work" (THE SARATOGIAN, 7/9).

CITY VS. COUNTY: In Oakland, Chris Metinko reported Alameda County has filed suit against the city of Oakland for enforcing its 18.5% city parking tax on "spots on the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum property," which is jointly owned by the county and city. The new enforcement of the tax "will have an immediate effect on baseball fans," as the A's said that parking fees "will go up $2 at the Coliseum starting with the next homestand" that begins on July 16. County officials said that the tax "should not be imposed on land owned by the county and would cost the county money" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/7).

MISSED PAYMENTS: In Colorado Springs, Rich Laden reported Colorado-based OZ Architecture "has filed a $185,498 mechanic's lien against LandCo Equity Partners," the developer of the planned downtown USOC HQs. Liens are "legal claims brought by contractors and subcontractors who haven't been paid or who question a payment." Three other companies "had filed liens or notices of liens on more than $200,000 in work on the building" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 7/8).