TEMPE, Ariz. -- The state's Tourism and Sports Authority
wants a top-ranking Federal Aviation Administration official to
mediate a dispute over a new Arizona Cardinals stadium and concerns
that it will create a safety hazard for planes.
The FAA believes the $334 million stadium under construction
less than 2 miles from the end of Sky Harbor International
Airport's north runaway could obstruct flights, interfere with
flight instruments and affect a pilot's ability to react in
critical situations.
The FAA delayed issuing a final report on the stadium for 60
days and construction in suburban Tempe was temporarily halted
while officials try to resolve problems.
Phoenix City Council members have suggested that another site
should be chosen, a move that Tempe and sports authority officials
have rejected.
FAA spokesman Jerry Snyder said Monday that he can't speculate
on the prospects of the agency mediating the dispute.
While sports authority officials said their call for a mediator
would help settle the issue, Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten
believes the proposal is really about finding a better result for
Tempe.
"I think they are trying to find someone who will manipulate
the facts," Bilsten said.
Bilsten said there's no need for a mediator because the FAA is
an independent agency that makes decision based on public safety,
not politics.
Sky Harbor spokeswoman Suzanne Luber said airport officials
would be glad to discuss safety issues with Phoenix and Tempe
leaders as long as such talks don't affect the airport's safety and
efficiency.
Former Attorney General Grant Woods, who was hired by Tempe to
represent the city on stadium issues, welcomes the possibility of a
mediator. "We think the issues are very resolvable," Woods said.
Meanwhile, the sports authority said it wants the aviation
consultant it hired to remain objective while assessing the site
and the FAA's findings.
"We don't want a lot of hyperbole," said James Grogan,
chairman of the sports authority's board. "We don't want a lot of
rhetoric. We want facts."
Ray Friedlob, the stadium authority's consultant, said he hopes
to complete a preliminary report in three weeks.
Grogan said the sports authority wants to know what changes are
needed to ensure safety but without altering operations at the
airport.
Grogan said the delay in stadium construction will not put the
sports authority in financial jeopardy.
When considering possible stadium locations in Tempe, west
Phoenix and downtown Phoenix earlier this year, sports authority
officials said they had to pick a site quickly so they could stick
to a construction schedule.
The stadium's contractor agreed to pay for cost overruns if the
project started on time. Hunt Construction Co. said it would
continue to guarantee the costs for another 60 days.
Grogan believes the project won't fall behind schedule.
Officials want to complete construction in August 2004, in time
for the start of the NFL season.
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