In London, Rupert Neate reports, “Dozens of companies that have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on corporate hospitality packages at Wembley will not be able to use them for Saturday's UEFA Champions League Final.” Some companies, which have spent up to US$13,600 a year for each Club Wembley seat, were “informed recently that their tickets are not valid” for Saturday's Barcelona-Manchester United game. Club Wembley members are “only entitled to tickets for the FA Cup final and semi finals, the Carling Cup final, rugby's Carnegie Challenge Cup final, up to six England games and the Community Shield match” (London TELEGRAPH, 5/23).
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT: On Long Island, Randi Marshall noted a key to the success of a new Coliseum in Nassau County is “development of the rest of the 77 county-owned acres at the site -- possibly with stores and offices, restaurants and housing.” It is an option Islanders Owner Charles Wang “still wants as he negotiates with the county hoping to gain development rights for the property.” Other developers said that they would “like the chance to submit proposals as well” (NEWSDAY, 5/22).
COMMEMORATING HISTORY: The MLB Giants on Friday announced plans to create a World Champions Walk in recognition of the team’s first World Series title since moving to S.F. The World Champions Walk will encircle all four plazas of AT&T Park and will feature granite markers depicting moments from the 52-year wait for a World Series title. As part of the walk, fans will be able to purchase 4 x 12-inch brick pavers to commemorate their own favorite moment from the World Series journey (Giants).
THROWING IN THE TOWEL: In L.A., Roger Vincent reports developer Rick Caruso “has thrown in the towel on longstanding plans to develop an outdoor mall next to” Santa Anita Park. Caruso announced plans in '04 to build the Shops at Santa Anita “near the entrance” to the racetrack. But opposition to the development “from a competing mall owner, a bad economy and the bankruptcy of track owner Magna Entertainment Corp. have dogged Caruso's Santa Anita project for years” (L.A. TIMES, 5/23).
