[bigboydan]

took them long enough

By DERRILL HOLLY, Associated Press Writer
December 9, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The District of Columbia and Major League Baseball agreed Friday on a lease for a new Washington Nationals' ballpark, a deal that if approved will clear the biggest obstacle remaining before the team is sold.

The agreement, subject to approval by the D.C. Council in a vote set for Dec. 20, will lead to the sale of $535 million in bonds to cover construction costs for the proposed 41,000-seat ballpark, to be built about a mile south of the Capitol.

Bob DuPuy, the baseball's chief operating officer, said a new owner would not be chosen from among the eight bidding groups until after a lease agreement. The franchise, then known as the Montreal Expos, was bought by the other 29 teams in 2002 and was moved to Washington last winter.



"This lease moves us one step closer to building a beautiful, state-of-the-art ballpark along the Anacostia River," Mayor Anthony A. Williams said. "We've negotiated a good deal for the city and persuaded Major League Baseball to concede on many fronts."

Provisions include $20 million from baseball to help cover cost overruns. If the Nationals are moved out of the city during the term of the lease, the city has the right to seek damages, including the cost of stadium construction.

The Nationals will pay rent ranging from $3.5 million in the first year to $5.5 million in the sixth year, with additional rent payments based on attendance if the team sells more the 2.5 million tickets. The Nationals will have the naming rights to the ballpark and will pay no property taxes.

"We worked hard to accommodate the areas of pressing concern identified by the city," DuPuy said. "We appreciate the hard work and cooperation of all those who were involved in forging this agreement. We now look forward to a favorable vote by the city council."

Critics of the stadium deal have called for the council to hire an outside consultant to review the lease. They are concerned about the graduating rent payments.

"It wouldn't kill us to go outside our 13 members and ask for technical advice," Councilman David A. Catania said.

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[Illusion]

Good news, RFK is an ugly stadium.