In Ft. Worth, Susan Schrock reported documents indicate that the city of Arlington is “seeking $2.7 million from a special state fund to cover public safety, ice and snow removal and other costs related” to Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. Nearly $1.3M “went to pay salaries and overtime for police and firefighters to secure" the Arlington entertainment district. Arlington Deputy City Manager Trey Yelverton said that “despite the unexpected run of ice, snow and below-freezing temperatures, the city spent $130,000 less than budgeted to handle the game.” He added that Arlington “expects to receive full reimbursements for expenses.” The money will “come from the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee and the Major Events Trust Fund” (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/14).
TAXING ISSUE: In Seattle, Chris Grygiel reported a “controversial attempt to extend taxes now being used to pay off Seattle’s sports stadiums to expand the city’s convention center and support arts programs has been revived during” the state’s special legislative session. Washington state Sen. Scott White on Friday introduced a bill that would "sunset the taxes in 2015." However, a “lot of people really dislike the idea of keeping the taxes used to pay off the late Kingdome, Qwest Field and Safeco Field in place.” Opponents of the bill said that the Legislature “promised voters in 1995 that any levies used to pay for Safeco would go away when the new field was paid for.” Grygiel noted Safeco Field “should be paid off this year; the Kingdome and Qwest Field will be debt free later this decade” (SEATTLEPI.com, 5/13).
SHINE A LIGHT ON IT: In Charlotte, Jim Utter wrote it “seems by now most NASCAR tracks would have installed lights, but not because every track should host night races.” Every track “should have lights so in the event of inclement weather NASCAR has every option to get the race in on the day advertised.” Night races “remain popular for the fans who attend them.” But NASCAR “would likely get better TV ratings if some Saturday night races were held on Sunday afternoons” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/15).
NO COINCIDENCE? In N.Y., Larry Brooks wrote of the Flyers reportedly hosting the ’12 Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park: “No iconic baseball stadium, no romantic venue, no sell of a storyline other than playing the game outdoors, it will be the Rangers-Flyers at the Phillies’ ballpark on Jan. 2 because Comcast/NBC owns the TV rights for 10 more years and Comcast/NBC owns the Flyers” (N.Y. POST, 5/15).
