Well, That Was Easy
A day later and the problem has been solved. Nat Gandhi's hissy fit worked, and the rent reserve is being put back into the stadium lease to the delight of our Wall Street Overlords.
The city is expected to have a construction administration agreement (whatever the hell that is) to lay out the guaranteed price contract by Friday, which should be the grease the slides the lease through the council's gaping maw.
Predictably, Marion Barry is crowing, saying they're not there yet. Certainly he's right, but it also reeks of him angling to take credit for something that's not really his doing in the first place. But he wouldn't do that, would he?
The interesting quote is from Vincent Gray, one of the three (or so) swingable voters.
Not there yet, but if he sees the documents, he will be? Seems like if they do come through the the cost caps on the construction agreement that he's a yes vote.
I still think that that's what's going to happen. With construction costs capped, the only major variable in the price is the land acquisition costs. And the Anacostia Waterfront Commission is picking up the tab (for a pound of flesh later, of course.) With those two major hurdles out of the way, and a supposed deal in the works to get the feds to pay for some of the Metro improvements, I think there's enough in place to get this through the council.
The city is expected to have a construction administration agreement (whatever the hell that is) to lay out the guaranteed price contract by Friday, which should be the grease the slides the lease through the council's gaping maw.
Predictably, Marion Barry is crowing, saying they're not there yet. Certainly he's right, but it also reeks of him angling to take credit for something that's not really his doing in the first place. But he wouldn't do that, would he?
The interesting quote is from Vincent Gray, one of the three (or so) swingable voters.
Gray said he and others are waiting to see further documentation of the mayor's promises.
"I'm not there yet, period," Gray said, when asked if he supports the lease deal.
Not there yet, but if he sees the documents, he will be? Seems like if they do come through the the cost caps on the construction agreement that he's a yes vote.
I still think that that's what's going to happen. With construction costs capped, the only major variable in the price is the land acquisition costs. And the Anacostia Waterfront Commission is picking up the tab (for a pound of flesh later, of course.) With those two major hurdles out of the way, and a supposed deal in the works to get the feds to pay for some of the Metro improvements, I think there's enough in place to get this through the council.
posted by Chris Needham at
9:02 AM
2 Comments:
I saw an interview with Gray (don't remember if it was on channel 8 or DCTV) a few weeks ago where he said he would have supported the earlier stadium agreement if it had included funding for the baseball youth development program. Seeing as the new agreement includes this funding, he should be on board.
By
Anonymous, at 2/01/2006 1:02 PM
Interesting that he says he would've voted for the previous lease. I was senile this morning and forgot to bring the academy into it, but you're right. That was his baby.
It seems like the only potential hangup now is them wanting to see some construction documents by the time the vote rolls around. If Williams can come up with it, I think the stadium's in the clear.
By
Chris Needham, at 2/01/2006 1:08 PM
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