USL Pro club Orlando City SC officials said that the team is "preparing to play the latter half" of its inaugural MLS season "in a new stadium" in '15. In Orlando, Paul Tenorio noted details released in a project construction agreement approved by city leaders last week "projected the stadium completion date as Feb. 1, 2016." However, sources said that that date was "selected as a worst-case scenario." A plan "remains in place for the club to play at least part of its inaugural season in the new stadium." But "one snag remains: acquiring the final pieces of land where the stadium is set to be built" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 4/7).
GOING GREEN: In N.Y., Reuven Blau notes Forest City Ratner yesterday announced that it will "install a lush vegetative green roof to beautify" Barclays Center and "suppress the bass boom bursting out during loud events." Development officials said that it will "create another layer of protection following a rash of noise complaints by peeved neighbors in Prospect Heights." The green roof "appears to be the first of its kind for a national arena, but it’s unclear when construction on the greenery will begin or how much the project will cost" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/8).
STEP ONE: A SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE editorial notes city Mayor Kevin Faulconer's staff has had "informal discussions with representatives of the Chargers and the first formal staff-level meeting" is scheduled for tomorrow to discuss building a new downtown stadium. There is "reason for optimism," but there are "many questions." The editorial asks, "How determined is the Spanos family that owns the team to relocate to downtown from the existing Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley? How willing are Faulconer and the City Council to in some way use the Qualcomm site and the Sports Arena site in the Midway District to help finance a new stadium?" The editorial: "None of these questions will be answered quickly" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/8).
ROLLING THE DICE: In New Hampshire, Iain Wilson noted ahead of a House vote on a bill "allowing two casinos in the state, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway has ramped up lobbying efforts to drive home the point" that it would make a "fine site" for one. NHMS Exec VP & GM Jerry Gappens said that he will "testify Thursday in support of the bill in front of the House Ways and Means Committee." Gappens said that a casino at the site "could bridge the race season and the off-season between late October and April." Wilson noted NHMS is "well-positioned for a casino license because of its location between the Lakes Region and cities such as Manchester and Concord" (CONCORD MONITOR, 4/5).
