In Detroit, Bill Shea notes heavy machinery "has been placed at the site" of the new Red Wings arena in "anticipation of major construction beginning in the next few weeks." Michigan-based engineering firm Giffels Webster "has been hired as a design consultant" for the project. New York-based Street-Works "leads the urban planning and design," and Heritage Development Services LLC, a unit of Detroit-based economic development consultant The Diggs Group, is "also working on the project" (CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS, 3/15 issue).
AGGRO AGGIES: In Houston, David Barron reported a federal judge "has denied a request to delay or alter the reseating process at Texas A&M University’s Kyle Field to protect the interests of three longtime donors who have filed suit against the fund-raising 12th Man Foundation at A&M." U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap said that donors "failed to meet 'the high bar that the test of irreparable injury under the law requires' for a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction" (CHRON.com, 3/16).
ART FOR ART'S SAKE: In Sacramento, Ryan Lillis noted the NBA Kings "proposed the purchase" of artist Jeff Koon's $8M sculpture to be showcased in the plaza outside Sleep Train Arena, marking "the highest price paid for public art in Sacramento history." The Kings are contributing $5.5M "toward its cost and maintenance." But some fans "cringed at the notion of an 18-foot, Crayola-colored sculpture modeled after Winnie-the-Pooh’s sidekick, Piglet, as the centerpiece in front of the new arena" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/15).
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING? The SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS noted smoking is forbidden at Levi's Stadium and the youth soccer complex next door, but for some reason, the 49ers "posted a 'Designated Smoking Area' sign on a sidewalk between the stadium and soccer fields." 49ers Dir of Communication Bob Lange said that the smoking zone "has been removed." He explained that smoking there was "supposed to be allowed only during NFL game days and special events, but somebody had mistakenly left the sign up" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/15).
