One of the proposed projects is the construction of a new sportsarena for Orlando Magic, a venture that could run as high as $500million, sports industry analysts point out. The basketball team'slease expires in 2004.

Another undertaking is the retrofitting of the existing,10-year-old, 18,000 sf TD Waterhouse Centre and converting thatasset into a mini Downtown convention center. That ideaunderstandably isn't generating any roses from the conventionbureau folk.

What is ruffling the hoteliers, however, is a recent studycompleted by the Orange County Comptrollers office showing how muchtourist tax money is going to sports ventures. The study notes$90.9 million out of $655 million tax collected in the last 14years wound up financing the $110 million TD Waterhouse Centre andthe Citrus Bowl, promoting football matches, and assisting anon-profit sports recruiting organization. The city still owes $40million on the building.