COO Mike Cramer told GlobeSt.com that interviews are being setup with "three or four" leading developers to head the team. Adecision is expected within a few months, at which time a masterplan also will be further defined. Cramer has declined to identifythe developers with whom the Sports Group has opened talks.

Cramer says the acreage is available at "a fairly minimalprice," in line with a pact mortared 10 years ago when the TexasRangers threatened to leave the city and forced the floating of amulti-million dollar bond issue to build a new stadium. The bondissue will be paid off in September 2001, taking with it a salestax imposed upon residents to cover costs. Part of the dealrequired the city to purchase land around the park to service thestadium, with the understanding the Rangers could buy it for apredetermined price in the future. The future is now, saysCramer."We are ready to get going and start developing. It's timefor us to exercise our option and take down the land," Cramer toldGlobeSt.com. He expects the land purchase also will occur in thenext few months. He says the city bought 270 acres, but roughlyonly 220 are suitable for development.

Cramer says the Sports Group envisions a development. blending asignificant mix of residential and commercial, "that will betechnologically advanced ... that will serve as the downtown ofArlington."