In L.A., Jim Newton writes in the "debate over whether to build a downtown football stadium, there's a gnawing, vague and understandable public apprehension that the city may be getting snookered." AEG's proposed Farmers Field "could do some good for the city, and it offers a port in a storm for the Convention Center." But Newton writes, "The debate also is a reminder that Los Angeles has lost something. It no longer fields the kind of seasoned political leadership that inspires confidence. That's a loss far greater than a football team" (L.A. TIMES, 6/27).
SPREADING THE FIELD: In Minneapolis, Jennifer Bjorhus reported United Properties, the real estate development branch of Twins Owner the Pohlad family, "has an option to buy the Shapco Printing Inc. building" across from Target Field. United Properties Senior VP/Investments & Development Bill Katter said that company officials "decided to explore the Shapco site for creating new office, residential and perhaps retail space" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/25).
CALL THE REPAIR SHOP: In Miami, Charles Rabin reported "hundreds of hairline cracks have appeared on support beams along exterior walls of Miami's four parking garages" near the Marlins' new ballpark. City officials said that the cracks "will be repaired in time for the garages to be in use for the team's season opener in April" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/25).
