The D.C. Council is unlikely to vote on the critical Washington Nationals stadium lease agreement before January, putting the team's future in jeopardy even as city leaders struggle to win more concessions from tightfisted Major League Baseball.
When it became apparent Monday that the votes were clearly not on his side, Williams asked Council Chairman Linda Cropp to delay council consideration of the lease deal. The council leaves for its winter break at the end of business Thursday, not to return until Jan. 3, and a vote is unlikely before then.
At a press conference Tuesday, the mayor tried to put an optimistic face on a deteriorating situation. "We need to make a few more changes to assure wavering council members that this lease is in the best interests of the city," said Williams, who is postponing his holiday vacation to shore up support.
What's the problem?
- Price tag for the stadium complex now $667 million
- District agreed to publicly finance $535 million, plus cover cost overruns and infrastructure
- League agreed to pay $20 million, give up some parking revenue and donate tickets to needy children
- MLB, critics say, hasn't conceded nearly enough
- Now at least seven council members are prepared to vote "no" ..Read more here...
align=right> D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams pauses during a press conference on baseball Tuesday.The D.C. Council is unlikely to vote on the critical Washington Nationals stadium lease agreement before January, putting the team's future in jeopardy even as city leaders struggle to win more concessions from tightfisted Major League Baseball.
When it became apparent Monday that the votes were clearly not on his side, Williams asked Council Chairman Linda Cropp to delay council consideration of the lease deal. The council leaves for its winter break at the end of business Thursday, not to return until Jan. 3, and a vote is unlikely before then.
At a press conference Tuesday, the mayor tried to put an optimistic face on a deteriorating situation. "We need to make a few more changes to assure wavering council members that this lease is in the best interests of the city," said Williams, who is postponing his holiday vacation to shore up support.
What's the problem?
- Price tag for the stadium complex now $667 million
- District agreed to publicly finance $535 million, plus cover cost overruns and infrastructure
- League agreed to pay $20 million, give up some parking revenue and donate tickets to needy children
- MLB, critics say, hasn't conceded nearly enough
- Now at least seven council members are prepared to vote "no" ..Read more here...
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