Facility Notes
In a Q&A with the WASHINGTON POST’s Thomas Heath, Forest City Washington President Deborah Salzberg, whose company is developing the area around Nationals Park, said the company is beginning construction on 170 loft units, and construction will begin this summer “on our first retail building and our world-class five-acre waterfront park.” Salzberg: “We’ll have over 5 million square feet of development, including 2,800 residential units, 1.8 million square feet of office and 300,000 square feet of retail.” She added the lofts, the 45,500-square-foot Boilermaker Shops and the park will open by the fall of ’09 (WASHINGTON POST, 4/7). Meanwhile, Fox’ Ken Rosenthal said of Nationals Park, “For the Nationals, it could mark the dawning of the game’s next superpower. ... The new park will enable the Nats to seize the advantages of playing in an international capital, a top-ten television market, a city surrounded by wealthy suburbs” (“FSN Baseball Report,” FSN, 4/4).
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Steinbrenner (l) Receives Tour Of
New Ballpark From Daughter |
YANKEE STADIUM: Yankees COO Lonn Trost appeared on CNBC last Friday, where he reiterated the team’s decision not to sale naming rights to the new Yankee Stadium. Trost: “We’re leaving -- pick a number -- $50(M), $60(M), $45(M) on the table. But you would not rename the White House and you would not rename Grant’s Tomb or the Grand Canyon. We will not rename Yankee Stadium. There will be a way to make up the difference" (CNBC, 4/4). Meanwhile, the Yankees released a photo of Owner George Steinbrenner and Senior VP/New Stadium Public Affairs Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal touring the construction site of new Yankee Stadium Wednesday (THE DAILY).
NO PSL DECISION YET: Jets Owner Woody Johnson and NFL Giants co-Owner John Mara both said that “no decision has been made about charging personal seat licenses” at their new stadium. Mara: “We are studying all alternatives for financing the stadium.” The teams will make individual decisions, and Johnson said, “I don’t think we’re 100% decided. I think there is a likelihood.” He also “shot down speculation he was waiting to see what the Giants were going to charge” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/6).
SERVICE STATION: Aramark has followed up a 10-year deal with the Blue Jays by becoming concessions operator at Rogers Centre, replacing Delaware North Sportservice. The agreement covers general and club level concessions and the HSBC Club VIP restaurant. Levy Restaurants caters the suites. Aramark took over March 28 and the next day managed an AMA Supercross event (Don Muret, SportsBusiness Journal).
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