Note to Don Smith — good luck getting your season ticket deposit back promptly.
From The Washington Post’s David “The Automator” Nakemura :
The D.C. Council approved legislation late last night that dramatically restructures the city’s deal with Major League Baseball to build a stadium in Washington by requiring that at least 50 percent of the cost be financed with private money.
Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D) shocked her colleagues after 11 hours of debate on a stadium financing package by offering the private financing amendment about 10 p.m. after saying she was disappointed by recent talks with Major League Baseball.
The bill, which was approved on a 7 to 6 vote, gives Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) until June to find a private financing plan to cover at least half the cost of the stadium. If that plan is not certified by Natwar M. Gandhi, the city’s chief financial office, and approved by the council, the stadium bill would lapse.
“My basic belief is that there are too many public dollars going into this,” Cropp said. “This will make the mayor seek private dollars more than anything else. I don’t know how Major League Baseball will react.”
you know, it’s kind of a sad commentary on contemporary life in America when certain people insist that majorly profitable private companies (let’s see those financials, Bud!) are entitled to public financing. I’d say the Council asking for private financing for half the stadium’s cost is a major victory, but somehow that still seems depressing. Especially when I know Brooklyn’s not going to be that lucky – if Ratner and Goldman Sachs get their way (and they will).
fuck d.c., bring baseball to portland, oregon ! we were in the running anyway but had no financing. well, do DO have the financing now. how you ask? indian gaming casinos ! i HAVE to be desperate if i want the flippin’ EXPOS to come to town but bad baseball is better than no baseball at all, right? if this whole paragraph sounds selfish, well, it is.