In St. Paul, Frederick Melo reports conversations between the Wild and city leaders regarding a downtown practice facility "are back on, and they've centered on the vacant Macy's department store along Cedar and Wabasha streets." The Port Authority in January '14 "purchased the vacant, block-long Macy's building" for $3M. It is "unclear where a practice hockey rink would be located" on the site, but "a rooftop facility appears to be an option" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/19).
GAME OF THRONES: In Sacramento, Dale Kasler reports a lawsuit claiming that the proposed NBA Kings arena was "an environmental disaster in the making" has been dismissed by a state appellate court, "removing one of the last remaining legal obstacles" to the $477M project that has already broken ground. The 3rd District Court of Appeals' unanimous decision "affirmed an earlier ruling" by a Sacramento Superior Court judge (SACRAMENTO BEE, 2/19).
SHOW ME THE MONEY: In K.C., Dave Helling reported Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, seeking $300M for St. Louis "to build another football stadium," eliminated almost $5M earmarked for K.C.'s stadiums and convention hall. However, Nixon's office said that it was "just a mistake" and that they will "put the money back." Helling: "It's an open secret that St. Louis interests bring a battle sword to the Missouri Capitol, while Kansas City carries a pocketknife" (KANSASCITY.com, 2/18).
