Stadium deal

Sigh:

After 18 months of frustration, mistrust and divisive debate, the D.C. Council sealed a deal to build a baseball stadium along the Anacostia River in Southeast last night, guaranteeing the Washington Nationals a permanent home in the nation's capital.

By a vote of 9 to 4, the council approved a construction contract for a state-of-the-art stadium with a contemporary glass-and-stone facade, seats for 41,000 fans and a view of the U.S. Capitol. The council also voted 9 to 4 to reaffirm its demand that public spending on the project be limited to $611 million.

Wow, only $611 million -- way to put the screws to them City Council!!! Oh wait, maybe I should mention something else:

The council approved spending $535 million on the stadium project last year [2004] and will not approve any new funds, said Evans, chairman of the council's Finance and Revenue Committee.

What a joke.