Officials vote to keep Dome proceeds
| INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Officials have voted not to give proceeds from an online auction of RCA Dome memorabilia to two private nonprofit groups. The Capital Improvement Board originally had planned to allow the Indiana Sports Corp. and Indianapolis Colts Foundation to run the sale and keep the proceeds, but the board reversed course Thursday. An Indianapolis law firm had filed a lawsuit saying proceeds from the sale of public property should go to taxpayers rather than to the two private nonprofit organizations. The Sports Corp. now will keep a $200,000 fee for selling and delivering the stadium seats and other items. The new agreement does not include field turf to be mounted in plaques or lockers, both of which are Indianapolis Colts property. Board Chairman Bob Grand said he hopes the change will satisfy the public and head off the lawsuit. He said the board's staff would not have had time to handle the auction in the time available. The RCA Dome will be demolished and replaced in time for the start of the 2008 NFL season by the $700 million Lucas Oil Stadium one block to the south. |
