13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Colts stadium next steps
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Roger Harvey/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis, April 30 - The Indianapolis Colts will have a new home thanks to the work of the Indiana General Assembly. Mayor Bart Peterson and Governor Mitch Daniels can now both claim victory.
The Peyton Manning passes in the statehouse paid off and lawmakers approved a new stadium for the Colts. For Mayor Bart Peterson the stadium and expanded convention center are crucial to the city's future.
"This really means solidifying our position on the map of big league cities here in America" said Mayor Peterson after the vote Friday night approving the funding for a new stadium.
It's expected the groundbreaking for the 63,000 seat stadium will take place in August.
Eyewitness News reporter Roger Harvey reports, "Governor Daniels says two issues were important in the stadium deal. First, since central Indiana benefits the most it should pay the most. Also, the state should oversee the project"
A seven-member state building authority controlled by Republicans will closely monitor the stadium construction. Governor Daniels says he already has two people in mind to serve on the authority.
The governor says before state lawmakers approved the stadium deal they wanted to make sure the public money was properly spent.
"People said there needs to be some supervision of this and to make sure taxpayers interests are protected and the project has integrity."
The money to pay for the project will come largely from increased taxes on hotels, car rentals and restaurants. Governor Daniels is expected to sign the bill and a Peyton Manning thrown football could take place in the new stadium in the 2008 season.
Colts head coach Tony Dungy weighs-in on the latest development involving his team's future home.
Dungy says the stadium deal is nothing short of great not only for the team and its fans but for the city and state.
"I'm excited, and we look forward for it to come to fruition. I saw it happen in Tampa. I saw what really transpires when you do get a new stadium. Hopefully, we can continue to develop our product, and it will all come together with a great place to play and a good team in place."
Dungy coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they moved into their new home Raymond James Stadium in 1998.
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