October 26, 2006 [LINK / comment]

$100 million parking fine?

D.C. financial officer Natwar Gandhi warned the city council that Washington may be liable for up to $100 million in penalties if the parking garages stipulated in the stadium lease agreement are not finished by April 2008. He wrote an eight-page letter asking the council to reconsider the $56 million garage project they recently rejected. See Washington Post. I've been against any increase in spending above the $611 million cost cap provision, under the assumption that "a deal's a deal," but if what he says is true, it appears that there was not sufficient scrutiny of the lease terms. It may be the case that there is an "unfunded mandate" about which they have no choice.

24-hour "rain delay"

The weather forecasts left no doubt that last night in St. Louis was going to be a washout, so why did they wait so long before postponing Game 4? I have a sneaking suspicion that FOX-TV advertising revenues must have something to do with it. If I were a fan in St. Louis, I would be mad as heck for sitting so long in the rain. That reminds me of another reason why large-sized roofs such as at RFK Stadium are so advantageous.

Once again, Sean Casey led his team off to an early lead tonight. The Tigers are ahead 3-1 in the fourth inning.