Last Saturday, the nine members of the Tourism and Sports Authority, which will make the final decision on where to build the football stadium, listened to 20-minute presentations by the five communities vying to be the Cardinals' new home.

Three of the five communities emphasized their ability to begin construction immediately on their respective sites, clearly a swipe at the Downtown Phoenix site, which has complicated assemblage and environmental clean-up issues.

"We have a site that is deliverable to you now," says Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano.

Representatives from Avondale and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation also pointed out that their sites are construction-ready.

The five sites are:West Valley--This 400-acre site is at the northwest corner of Thomas Road and Loop 101, just north of Interstate 10. Infrastructure costs are estimated to be $25.8 million. Pros: Already zoned commercial; good access; and other sports projects, including the Peoria Sports Complex, have been well received. Cons: Isolated from any significant development; no hotels, restaurants or other amenities; and distant from highly populated East Valley and fan base.

Downtown Phoenix--Considered the frontrunner, the site is south of Jefferson Street and just east of 7th Street, adjacent to Bank One Ballpark, where the Arizona Diamondbacks play. Infrastructure costs are estimated at $3 million or more. Pros: Favored by power elite, near loads of amenities, could share cooling system of BOB. Cons: Environmental clean up could slow ground-breaking and will have to arrange a number of complicated deals to avoid exceeding the $3 million cap to keep voters from getting involved.

Tempe--This site is at the southeastern corner of Priest Drive and Washington Avenue, just north of the Tempe Town Lake. Infrastructure costs are estimated to be $17 million. Pros: Adjacent to light-rail line, near amenities and is sure to set off development of many more around the two-mile long lake. Cons: Parking could be tough.

Tempe/Mesa--Located at the southeast corner of Loop 101 and Loop 202, the Infrastructure costs of this site estimated are to be $78 million. Pros: Excellent access and plenty of available land. Cons: Site preparation would be costly and not close to many amenities.

Fort McDowell--Situated on the Beeline Highway about four miles northeast of Fountain Hills, all the infrastructure costs for this site would be paid by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Pros: Site is ready to develop now, and tribe has the wherewithal to spend on infrastructure and additional development. Cons: Most remote site of all five, 11 miles from the nearest freeway, and because it is on a reservation there's a question of stadium ownership.

The Authority could either pick an outright winner or winnow the list to two finalists, from which a winner would be chosen no later than mid-February. The Arizona Cardinals are contributing $85 million to the development and will have a voice in where the stadium is built.

The Authority has an aggressive development schedule, one that calls for construction to begin by August.

Instant Insights /

Five Communities Plead Their Case for $335-Mil Football Stadium

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