Wednesday, October 24, 2001

Project to build stadium for Cowboys delayed
Associated Press

DALLAS — The mayors of Arlington, Irving and Dallas met separately Monday with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who briefed leaders of potential host cities for the first time on his proposed new stadium and entertainment complex that could cost $1 billion or more.

But the project to replace Irving’s Texas Stadium, the Cowboys’ home since 1971, is now likely delayed both by the terrorist attacks and weakening economy.

“Our world is different today than it was two months ago, and we understand that,” said Jones. “This clearly is not a time to talk in more specifics or in great detail.”
Irving Mayor Joe Putnam left his meeting with the Cowboys owner under the impression that the stadium development plans have been pushed back.

“What I have been advised by their representatives is because of the events of 9-11 and economic uncertainty in the country, no stadium proposals or discussions will be forthcoming for several months,” said Putnam, who has let city council members lead Irving’s charge for a new stadium.

A 100,000-seat stadium for the Cowboys — surrounded by a year-round destination that includes football-themed dining, lodging and other attractions — would open in 2006 at the earliest. For that to occur, decisions on location, design and financing would have to be made within the next year or so.

“Our exchange of ideas will hopefully give us a better sense of where we and the various communities are, and where we might be going as we look to the future as it pertains to football,” Jones said in a prepared statement. “This clearly is not a time to talk in more specifics or in great detail. The time for decision-making is down the road.”

Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk said preliminary sketches were impressive, including a theme park, other sports-related venues, offices and retail space. The entire complex could cover 250 to 300 acres, he said.

“What excites Jerry Jones is using the stadium for a much larger sports theme park,” Kirk said. “He’s smart. On the business side of football, he’s spent a lot of time looking at how you can generate revenue.”

The project’s cost was not mentioned in the meetings. But Jones said earlier this year that a new stadium’s price tag could be $1 billion or more.

“It sounds as if he is on the same page as we are,” said Arlington Mayor Elzie Odom. “He is not selecting, nor lobbying, cities at this point. He is trying to get the concept totally focused and to decide exactly what he wants to get in there.”

The subject of the terrorist attacks did come up.

“He did mention the effect that the September 11 attacks have had on the whole country,” Odom said, “and said he doesn’t want to be insensitive to that.”

Roger Nelson, city manager of Grapevine — another city on Jones’ list of possibilities — expected to meet with him Wednesday at Valley Ranch.