Facility Notes
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Bill Would Exempt Xanadu From Paying
Fees For Local Affordable Housing |
In New Jersey, John Brennan reported a bipartisan bill sponsored by New Jersey State Sens. Paul Sarlo and Joseph Pennacchio would "exempt Xanadu and the Giants and Jets from paying a total of $90[M] in fees designed to help towns provide affordable housing." The bill, which was introduced last Monday, would "result in a savings of $50[M] to Xanadu developers -- and $40[M] in combined savings" for the Giants and Jets. New Jersey State Sen. Ray Lesniak said that he expected to introduce a second bill yesterday "suspending the fee for all projects." Sarlo and Pennacchio said that the goal of the legislation is to prevent East Rutherford, home to Xanadu, and Florham Park, home to the Jets' practice facility, from "facing additional affordable housing responsibilities" (Bergen RECORD, 12/14).
AIN'T NO PICNIC: In Milwaukee, Don Walker reported Mercedes-Benz (M-B) has "pulled out of its sponsorship of the right-field picnic area at Miller Park." Brewers Exec VP/Business Operations Rick Schlesinger said that M-B had a "three-year deal, but is not coming back." Schlesinger added that Chevrolet and Toyota, "two other major sponsors, plan to be back as sponsors," and also said that the team was "working with three other potential sponsors to take over the naming rights of the picnic area." Walker noted the M-B deal was "not one of the larger deals the Brewers have, but it did run in the hundred of thousands of dollars" (JSONLINE.com, 12/12).
COURT REPORT: In New Orleans, Jimmy Smith reports the Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District (LSED) "hopes to recoup nearly $70,000 in out-of-pocket expenses recently spent on" damaged courts at the Hornets' Alario Center. The LSED "recently approved $69,300 to the manufacturer of the courts so that they can be reconditioned and returned to the Alario Center by mid-January." The Hornets have been "practicing on temporary floors provided by the manufacturer" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 12/16).
COSTS GREEN TO GO GREEN: In Louisville, Marcus Green reports planners for Louisville's downtown arena "want the project to meet a nationally recognized standard for 'green,' or environmentally friendly," but they "won't commit to it yet -- in part because of the expense." HOK Sport Sustainability Coordinator Stephanie Graham said that "meeting the requirements for certification from the U.S. Green Building Council could add [$2-3M] in administrative costs." Louisville Arena Authority Chair Jim Host: "I want to make sure we've got enough to finish before we do that final thing, but I can assure you based upon where we are right now I'm going to do everything I can to see it being ... certified" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 12/16).
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