August 31, 2005
Beyond the deluge
I'm somewhat distracted by the catastrophe (donations can be made here, by the way), so it's strictly bullet points today:
- The Boston Red Sox have started outlining their plans for the neighborhood surrounding Fenway Park, including transit improvements and plans for development over the Mass Pike. Most interesting tidbit: Boston Globe columnist Steve Bailey writes that "former Sox owner John Harrington, for all his ineptness, did get a $100 million infrastructure package through the Legislature. The new owners feel they are very much entitled to all or part of that money, and have their lobbyists working hard at the State House." If true, that'd be a concern for those who love Fenway Park, but hate sports subsidies. (No, that wouldn't include Fanny Dooley.)
- The Colts and the city of Indianapolis have finally agreed to a lease on their new gazillion-dollar domed stadium. So did the Colts back down on their opposition to that $3 ticket surcharge that the state wanted to help fund the place? Indiana's finest news source doesn't say.>
- You've probably heard by now that the Superdome refugees are being evacuated... to the Astrodome. Texas Gov. Rick Perry said the dome has "cleared its schedule" through December, but it's not like it had much going on there to begin with - maybe having a few white-elephant stadiums around can come in handy after all. Though personally, I'd have preferred some wetlands.
- Finally, I've already received one report of a sports-talk radio host speculating whether the disaster will make it easier for the Saints to either get a new stadium, or move to Los Angeles. Who had "one day" for the over/under on chutzpah?
Posted by Neil deMause
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