MILLER PARK: In Milwaukee, Greg Borowski wrote that
Miller Park officials "vowed to finish Miller Park and its
roof," despite Wednesday's accident that resulted in the
death of three construction workers. Officials "haven't yet
determined what -- or who -- was at fault in the accident,"
but "records show that Wednesday was the windiest of all the
days on which a Miller Park roof lift has been attempted,
raising questions about whether pressure to keep the $400
million project on schedule caused supervisors to authorize
the lift." Officials "could not say for certain it would be
done in time for opening day in 2000 as planned." Officials
also "couldn't put a price tag on the damage, but they
indicated it was less than initially feared." The Brewers
announced that the team will wear a patch with the logo of
Iron Workers Local 8, the union working on the facility's
construction, for the remainder of the season (MILWAUKEE
JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/16). In Milwaukee, Drew Olson writes
that by postponing yesterday's Royals-Brewers game due to
the accident, the team "turned away a crowd that was
projected to be 16,000 to 20,000 strong" and "may have lost
close to" $2M in ticket, parking and concession revenue.
Brewers officials "are not certain what effect the disaster
will have for the rest of the season and beyond, but the
price tag could end up being much steeper" (MILWAUKEE
JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/16). MLB Commissioner Bud Selig,
speaking on the accident while attending last night's
opening of Safeco Field: "While I'm thrilled to be here, and
I am for a lot of reasons, I hope all of you will understand
my heart is back in Milwaukee" (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/16).
ST. PAUL GAINS NEGOTIATOR: Patrick Born, Senior VP of
financial consulting firm Evensen Dodge Inc., will advise
St. Paul's negotiators as the city and the Twins "seek
agreement on the team's contribution" to the proposed
downtown ballpark (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/16).
