In Chicago, Shannon Ryan notes DePaul "unveiled a preview center for the McCormick Place Event Center on Thursday morning at the university's downtown campus." Fans can "see a model" of the 10,000-seat, $164M arena, "check interactive video screens for arena information and walk into a replica of one of 22 suites that will be offered." The court will "have a silhouette of the Chicago skyline, and students will sit in a 1,200-seat overhang area called the Demon Deck" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/4).
GIVE ME LIBERTY: In Memphis, Phil Stukenborg noted a City Council committee "approved a resolution Tuesday" to allocate $4.8M to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for "nearly 5,000 premium seats with backs." The upgrade would "reduce capacity at the 50-year-old stadium from 59,308 to 57,898 -- a loss of 1,410 seats -- but enhance the facility's attractiveness." The full council "will vote on the resolution in two weeks." The resolution "states the money would be reimbursed to the city by the tenants under terms to be decided" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/2).
STEEL RESERVE: In Oklahoma City, Jane Glenn Cannon noted a Kansas steel manufacturer has "dismissed his lawsuit" against Oklahoma, W&W Steel and Flintco Inc., the construction project manager for the Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium expansion. The dismissal paves the way for construction to "continue without a break." HME was "suing because the company claimed it was the lowest bidder to provide steel for the stadium's expansion and renovation, but the contract was wrongfully awarded to W&W steel, the second-lowest bidder" (OKLAHOMAN, 12/3).
