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Quarter of possibilities Four sites vying for new Cardinals stadium
PHOENIX (AP) -- Four sites remain in a dead heat to become the home for a new $331 million stadium for the Arizona Cardinals. The Tourism and Sports Authority, the project's developer, now wants more details on locations in Mesa, Tempe, west Phoenix and on the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation so it can decide early next year where to build the stadium. "The race begins now," said authority chairman James Grogan, who believes each location now has an equal shot at becoming the Cardinals' new home. The authority must pick a site quickly so it can stick to its construction schedule and avoid cost overruns, Grogan said. No other formal or informal site proposals have been submitted since Maricopa County voters cast ballots on Proposition 302, which would pay for the stadium and other sports and tourism projects. While The Associated Press has reported the ballot initiative was approved by voters Nov. 7, proponents stopped short of saying they won. "We are not going to declare victory until the election is certified," said Joe Yuhas, campaign chairman for AZ Wins, a group advocating the proposition. "We know that from the Florida experience." Proposition 302 would raise hotel and car taxes to help build the stadium, promote tourism and build Cactus League baseball stadiums and amateur sports facilities. The Cardinals have played in Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe since they moved to the Phoenix area from St. Louis. Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano said his city proposed two stadium sites because it wants to retain the professional team and the Fiesta Bowl, which is also held in ASU's stadium. A $120 million plan offered by both Tempe and Mesa would put the stadium on land straddling the cities' common border. Leaders of both cities said financing would come from issuing bonds. Mayor Keno Hawker believes a vote on bonds would definitely go to the city's voters. Giuliano is not sure whether bonds for his city would be put on the ballot. Tempe has proposed another site South of Highway 202 and west of Highway 101. The site's costs have not yet been determined, but Giuliano believes they would be lower than the Tempe-Mesa plan. Two other groups have proposed sites. A coalition of 14 west Phoenix communities wants to build the stadium on the city's west side. Some of the property would be donated by developer John F. Long. One way to finance the $56 million plan is to create a special improvement district similar to districts created for road improvements, said Peoria Mayor John Keegan. The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation also proposed a site near its casino. "We have a river that flows through the reservation for picnics and outings," said Clinton Pattea, the nation's president. "It is a lot different than going to other stadiums where you go there and go home after the game. You can spend the day out here." The costs of the proposal have not yet been determined. One possibility for paying for a stadium on the reservation are tax-exempt bonds, Pattea said. The authority will examine the proposals to determine their economic viability, Grogan said. The sites will either have to already have or plan to build restaurants, resorts, golf courses and shopping near the stadium, Grogan said. Other stadium sites must be submitted by the end of the year. "The door is slamming quickly," Grogan said.
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