Any financing plan for the renovation of Cleveland Stadium
"will probably be paired with a financial package to help city
schools," according to the PLAIN DEALER. Stephen Koff reports
that such a plan, "trashed immediately" after it was suggested by
Mayor Michael White two weeks ago, "has since gained support."
White suggested a 10% tax on paid, off-street parking for the
stadium, plus a 2% tax on parking to pay for extracurricular
school activities. At a council meeting Monday, many members
"said they would not support Stadium improvements unless the city
also finds money for its struggling schools." Councilman Bill
Patmon: "I cannot vote for any proposal that takes care of
Cleveland's Browns and does not take care of Cleveland's kids"
(Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/14). A CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS
editorial calls on Browns Owner Art Modell to extend his '99
deadline for a new stadium, if he really a solution "without
debate and rancor": "If the consensus building effort is to go
on hiatus -- or at least underground -- for seven months so that
the Browns can work to put fannies in the seats without a
divisive issue complicating that job, Mr. Modell must be willing
to push back the target date" (CRAIN'S, 6/12 issue).
