MARINERS NEW PARK BUDGET RISING, BUT JUST A LITTLE BIT

          The projected cost of the Mariners' new ballpark "is
     slightly higher than earlier estimates, but still within the
     project's budget," according to a Public Facilities District
     (PFD) report cited by Ed Penhale of the SEATTLE POST-
     INTELLIGENCER.  The ballpark's budget was put at $414M in
     January, while yesterday it was "bumped" up to $417.4M.  PFD
     Exec Dir Ken Johnsen said that with 85% of project bids in,
     "he is confident the new ballpark ... can be built within
     budget and open as scheduled July 1, 1999."  Penhale adds
     that the PFD still has $20M in contingency funds remaining.
     Mariners VP/Development Paul Isaki: "There is enough
     contingency left in this thing to assure it can be finished
     on time" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 7/22).