New Arena Construction Could Be Three Years Away

Or more. Or, as unlikely as it may be, less.  The Maryland Daily Record reports that "the city's Board of Estimates approved a $100,000 contract extension with SMG, the operator of 1st Mariner Arena, with the option for two year-long renewals, meaning that the arena will continue to operate until at least June 30, 2010, and maybe until June 2012."

Happy New Year, The Blog Is Back!

December 2008 brought a nasty flu (which rolled into a nasty chest cold) and some holiday downtime. Let's all get caught up, shall we?

• Baltimore Grows has a great overview of the new arena proposals. 
• Architect Frank Gehry laid off "Almost all the people who were working on the Brooklyn (arena) project", Atlantic Yards. It is looks like the Nets might stay in New Jersey for a while longer.
• Architectural firm RTKL closed down its sports division.
• Baltimore Examiner opinion piece from December 21, 2008.
• The First Mariner Arena tries to stop the decline in food and beverage concessions.
• Baltimore Sun opinion piece from December 29. 2008
• Soccerticketsonline.com considers the First Mariner Arena to be the ninth most historic U.S. soccer site.
• Billboard names the First Mariner Arena "the 13th best venue in the world, based on ticket sales."