(12-21) 11:41 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --
The proposed move of the Montreal Expos to Washington passed its biggest hurdle Tuesday when the District of Columbia Council reversed course and approved a ballpark financing law that eliminated a provision that threatened to scuttle the deal.
The new law appeared to be acceptable to major league baseball, which last week put the move on hold after the council inserted a provision that mandated private financing to cover at least half of the cost of the project, estimated at $435 million or more.
After an amendment was passed calling for Washington and baseball to share the cost for insurance limiting the city's liability on cost overruns and completion delays, the council voted 10-3 to repeal the so-called "sunset" provision. The council then voted 7-6 to approve the revised law, which urges private financing but does not require it.
For the Expos' move to Washington to become final, the law must be signed by Mayor Anthony A. Williams, a prominent backer of returning baseball to the capital. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig also must declare arrangements to use RFK Stadium next year are "satisfactory."
As part of the deal, baseball waived its right to compensatory damages for the first year if the 41,000-seat ballpark is finished late. Instead, the renamed Washington Nationals would not have to pay rent for RFK Stadium in 2008.
Council Chair Linda W. Cropp said the changes could save the city more than $193 million. Others on the body disagreed.
"No one has answered why Major League Baseball can't pay," said Councilman Adrian Fenty, who called it a "horrible deal."
"That's what I keep hearing from residents: Why can't these owners pay their fair share?" Fenty said.
Councilman Jack Evans, who backed baseball from the start, said it was time to move forward.
"It's fun being the Lone Ranger. It's fun always being the guy against. But at this point in time, it's time we come together and get behind this," Evans said. The compromise came after Cropp and Williams talked to Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, who negotiated by telephone from New York
The proposed move of the Montreal Expos to Washington passed its biggest hurdle Tuesday when the District of Columbia Council reversed course and approved a ballpark financing law that eliminated a provision that threatened to scuttle the deal.
The new law appeared to be acceptable to major league baseball, which last week put the move on hold after the council inserted a provision that mandated private financing to cover at least half of the cost of the project, estimated at $435 million or more.
After an amendment was passed calling for Washington and baseball to share the cost for insurance limiting the city's liability on cost overruns and completion delays, the council voted 10-3 to repeal the so-called "sunset" provision. The council then voted 7-6 to approve the revised law, which urges private financing but does not require it.
For the Expos' move to Washington to become final, the law must be signed by Mayor Anthony A. Williams, a prominent backer of returning baseball to the capital. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig also must declare arrangements to use RFK Stadium next year are "satisfactory."
As part of the deal, baseball waived its right to compensatory damages for the first year if the 41,000-seat ballpark is finished late. Instead, the renamed Washington Nationals would not have to pay rent for RFK Stadium in 2008.
Council Chair Linda W. Cropp said the changes could save the city more than $193 million. Others on the body disagreed.
"No one has answered why Major League Baseball can't pay," said Councilman Adrian Fenty, who called it a "horrible deal."
"That's what I keep hearing from residents: Why can't these owners pay their fair share?" Fenty said.
Councilman Jack Evans, who backed baseball from the start, said it was time to move forward.
"It's fun being the Lone Ranger. It's fun always being the guy against. But at this point in time, it's time we come together and get behind this," Evans said. The compromise came after Cropp and Williams talked to Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, who negotiated by telephone from New York
