In Canton, Matthew Rink noted the city of Canton committed to the Pro Football HOF's expansion project "more than a year ago, but in coming weeks City Council will be asked to officially pledge" $5M toward the project. Canton Mayor William Healy said that the local investment “was used as leverage in obtaining assistance from the state.” Ohio Gov. John Kasich in March pledged $10M “for the stadium overhaul” in his ‘14 biennial capital budget. Healy said that the “verbal commitment will now go to City Council, which has reached a consensus on the grant” (CANTON REPOSITORY, 11/30).
TED TALKS: In DC, Paul Schwartzman noted Wizards Owner Ted Leonsis "eyeing a parcel" of land for a team practice facility has "spawned anxiety among residents who say their neighborhood has far greater needs." The six-acre parcel along Rhode Island Avenue NW is "something of an alluring bull's-eye to developers because it is among the last spots near downtown where a large-scale project can be built." Leonsis "pronounced the neighborhood ‘fantastic’ after walking it on a recent night," but also "went out of his way to say that it is 'not the preferred site.'" Leonsis added that the team is "also talking to Virginia officials" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/28).
HOOSIER HELPERS: Indiana Stadium & Convention Building Authority officials said that it will cost up to $2M to “repair pipe insulation at Lucas Oil Stadium." In Indianapolis, Mark Alesia notes the authority "will pay" the first $1M, plus "half of the remaining balance." The other half “will be paid by the Capital Improvement Board, which operates the stadium.” CIB President Ann Lathrop said that the insulation problem “was identified more than two years ago.” Authority Exec Dir John Klipsch said the issue is not "an immediate threat" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/1).
MAGIC KINGDOM? The AP’s Michael Blood reported former Walt Disney Co. CEO Michael Eisner, who is an unofficial, unpaid adviser to L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, “has been working behind the scenes" to bring the NFL back to the city. Eisner said that he “is on the phone with the NFL all the time to keep the talks going.” Eisner said the "renaissance of Los Angeles ... could be enhanced" if the city were to land an NFL team (AP, 11/28).
