January 20, 2005
No slots for Colts
Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson's proposal to use legalized slot machines to fund $687 million worth of a new stadium for the Colts is "dead," says Indiana state house speaker Brian Bosma. "The message I'd like to send to the mayor is he ought to find another financing mechanism for a Dome downtown than putting a casino in the middle of the most family-friendly city in the Midwest," Bosma told the Indianapolis Star. "As far as I'm concerned, that proposal is dead." He added:
"I'm not sure that we have to have the most expensive dome in the country. The last dome that was built was built for $77 million. This one is something like $600 million. The last dome that was built had one-third private participation from private foundations. This one I hear no participation whatsoever. There's been no discussion by the mayor with other leaders about a regional solution here. I find the whole proposal at this point fairly irresponsible."
House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, meanwhile, responded that "we have to find another horse to ride," with Peterson adding: "If somebody has a better idea, I'm willing to listen to it. What we need is $46 million a year to be able to pay the debt service on this new stadium." That's the spirit! It's not about whether we should build the irresponsible stadium, it's about how!
