Council Forges Deal on Stadium (????)

[eddiejc1]

Apparently the Council went back, passed that emergency legislation, and THEN passed the lease. But all of this is subject to MLB's approval, and at this point I can't say whether we will get it or not.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/07/AR2006020701727.html

Eddie Cunningham

[eddiejc1]

If this sticks, the people we are going to have to thank are Marion Barry ( ), Carol Schwartz, Vincent Gray, and Kwame Brown.

Fenty, Catania, Graham, and "moderate" Mendelson were the final four "nay" votes. Remember those names, too.

Eddie Cunningham

[Peorgie T]

This isn't good for my health. I go to bed mad, then wake to find out that the 13 Stooges managed to pass something. Let's just hope it's acceptable to MLB. I feel cheated out of a proper Hot Stove season because of all of the stadium angst; I just want to focus on baseball.

[Bob Hannah]

This isn't good for my health. I go to bed mad, then wake to find out that the 13 Stooges managed to pass something. Let's just hope it's acceptable to MLB. I feel cheated out of a proper Hot Stove season because of all of the stadium angst; I just want to focus on baseball.

Pretty much sums up how I feel. Fox 5 this a.m. said the council's actions- at first rejection, then passage with the cap-were to "send a message to baseball". As if this hasn't already been done? David Nakamura's story in this morning's Post says there are signs the deal is amenable to baseball. I think Baseball is sick of this too and wants to get out ASAP

$611 million total spending, $55 mil from land sales, $20 mil from baseball for direct stadium costs, $20 mil to upgrade the Metro rail station at the Navy Yard from the Feds, penalties for late delivery of the stadium...

Think they oughta be able to stay within a $700 million plus budget?

[Aa3rt]

I go to bed mad, then wake to find out that the 13 Stooges...

PeorgieT-While I certainly feel the same way you do, please, please, please-don't disparage the memory of a great comedy troupe like The 3 Stooges by comparing them to the DC City Council.

This group has toyed with their constituents, the loyalties of the fans and the support of major league baseball (another group of buffoons).

The only humor I'll find is if the whole lot of them is voted out in the next election (highly unlikely) or exiled to some third world country where they'll actually have to WORK for a living.

I'm sure the after-effects of this latest "agreement" will be a topic of discussion for months. Hopefully, the din will be muffled and we can concentrate on BASEBALL!!!

[Peorgie T]

PeorgieT-While I certainly feel the same way you do, please, please, please-don't disparage the memory of a great comedy troupe like The 3 Stooges by comparing them to the DC City Council.

Nevertheless, "Moe" Cropp needs to give "Curly Joe" Cantania a poke in the eye.

[Uncle Dak]

Nevertheless, "Moe" Cropp needs to give "Curly Joe" Cantania a poke in the eye.

Catania is my new favorite.

What part of the $300M cap did he not understand?

Along with Fenty and Cropp, he is only concerned with getting his mug some press by blabbering on and on. It doesn't matter that it is giberish.

[Bob Hannah]

Mayor Confident

This came out about quarter to twelve today. Williams expresses a lot of confidence the deal is ok with Baseball. From the WTOP radio web site:
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=692938

Mayor Expects MLB to Sign Lease Soon
Feb 8th - 11:47am


WASHINGTON - District officials say Major League Baseball is pleased with the final vote taken by the D.C. Council on the proposed stadium lease.

Mayor Tony Williams says some final details remain to be worked out, but he believes MLB officials will sign the lease soon. Williams says groundbreaking at the stadium site is likely to come some time this spring.

Bill Hall with the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission says talks with baseball officials are continuing.

The mayor says he won't be seeking any more money from city sources beyond the $611 million allowed under the council-approved spending cap.

On a vote of 9-to-4 taken early Wednesday morning, the Council gave preliminary approval to the lease. Williams says the Council's efforts over the past several months helped to strengthen the deal.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[eddiejc1]

If the new ammendments do not require MLB to pay more than they previously agreed to, I don't see any problem with them signing off on this UNLESS they are fed up with dealing with the District government. I'd like to think MLB won't bite their nose to spite their face, but at this point I can't blame them, either...

Eddie Cunningham

[KCGHOST]

The dance of death between DC and MLB has gone beyond boring. If it ever gets sorted out let us know.

[Bob Hannah]

The dance of death between DC and MLB has gone beyond boring. If it ever gets sorted out let us know.

I see its so boring you don't mind tuning in. As for letting you know, that news will be only a left click away. See you then.

[eddiejc1]

Baseball skeptical of new lease

This doesn't mean they won't ultimately approve it, though.
Tom Loverro of the Washington Times says that unless
baseball wants to walk away from a ton of money they can't
get anyplace else, they'll accept this deal.

Late reversal nothing new.

Eddie Cunningham

[eddiejc1]

Anybody interested in reading this? At one time I would have eaten this up but right now I'm sick of it. MLB, please either accept this lease or say the team will be contracted or moved. End this foolishness.

Reeling and Dealing on Stadium: Council Compromise Emerges From a Game of Brinksmanship Gone Bad