Sports Arena Still a Possibility
Posted January 8, 1997 12:00 a.m. EST
RALEIGH — Shrinking plans down to size may be what it takes to help get a new sports arena in Raleigh. Designers will down-size the plans for the State Fairgrounds venue so that construction costs will be reduced by as much as $5 million to $10 million.
Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer says unless the designers cut costs, there will be no arena. "I think a clear message has gone to the arena authority that they need to plan for a smaller facility and we will find out to what extent they agree with that and what progress they've made toward that end," said Fetzer.
One group wants a National Hockey League franchise to play in the new arena. That group will unveil its plans for the expansion team next week.