The Coyotes "have agreed to skate out of America West
Arena if a proposed" $600M redevelopment project in south
Scottsdale gets local approval, according to Somers, Fiscus
& Haussler of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The team announced
Monday that it intends to distribute a "substantial" though
"unspecified amount" to build a 20,000-seat underground
arena with two ice sheets, where it will begin play in 2001.
The plan is still subject to Scottsdale City Council
approval and "considerable debate over how much money, if
any, taxpayers are willing to contribute." AZ-based Ellman
Cos. unveiled plans for the 93-acre project, which also
includes a 16-screen movie theater, shops, restaurants,
grocery stores and a hotel-office complex. Ellman will ask
the city to "help foot the bill for the project, possibly by
asking for a sales tax break to pay for improvements." Suns
President & CEO Jerry Colangelo said he believes that
America West and downtown Phoenix "can handle the loss" of
the Coyotes. Colangelo: "Our objective would be to fill
those dates, and I wouldn't rule out the possibility of
another [minor league] hockey team" (AZ REPUBLIC, 9/29).
