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The Arizona Cardinals are a step closer to suing cash-strappedGlendale over the loss of about 3,200 parking spots near the NFLstadium that workers demolished to build an outlet mall. The Cardinals and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, whichoperates University of Phoenix Stadium, on Wednesday delivered anotice of claim to the city seeking up to $66.7 million to replacethe lost parking with garages, unless an acceptable solution isfound. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, follows two April letters tothe city that laid out the team's and sports authority's concernsthat parking demolished in February to build the 38-acre TangerFactory Outlets complex could not be replaced. They gave Glendale aTuesday deadline to provide assurances that parking spaces atWestgate City Center would be replaced. The city never responded, according to the claim. The Cardinals began playing at the Glendale stadium in 2006. Anagreement signed four years earlier required Glendale to provide6,000 spots for football games and other stadium events atWestgate, the restaurant and entertainment complex near thestadium. A possible short-term solution the city presented in March did notcomply with the parking agreement because the spots were outsideWestgate, according to the team's and sports authority's April 9letter to the city. City Attorney Craig Tindall, whose city faces a $35 million deficitin next year's budget, said the franchise "jumped the gun" with itsnotice of claim. Tindall said the parking agreement requires the 6,000 spots beavailable only about two months before the first football game. Thefirst Cardinals game is set for Aug. 17, and the city is working tohave an answer for the Cardinals within weeks, the city attorneysaid. City Manager Ed Beasley said Glendale transportation staffers areworking to find spots and are likely to provide responses to theCardinals soon. The city manager acknowledged March meetings with the Cardinals andthe sports authority, but he could not say whether there had beendiscussions since or provide details on possible plans. Cardinals spokesman Mark Dalton said Glendale never responded toApril letters, which were also signed by representatives from theArizona Super Bowl Host Committee, the Fiesta Bowl and the NFL. "Today, the city doesn't own or control enough land at Westgate toperform the contract, and under these unique circumstances, we havea legal right to assurances they have the ability to perform thatobligation," Dalton said. The parking woes are further complicated by Westgate's troubles.The 6-year-old complex fell into foreclosure last year. This year's announcement that Tanger would open an outlet mallthere, along Loop 101 just south of Glendale Avenue, was a sliverof good news for the complex that is now partly owned by twoseparate lenders. The city attorney said any new development at Westgate would impactstadium parking plans, but he said there has long been anunderstanding that parking could be shuffled. "We haven't violated any agreements," Tindall said. "We don'tintend to violate any agreements. We are working on a solution." If one exists, sports-authority President Tom Sadler said he wouldlike to see it soon. "I think we're prepared to sit down and fully vet any solutions(Glendale) may have, but meanwhile, the clock is ticking towardgame day," he said. I am an expert from chinadrillingequipment.com, while we provides the quality product, such as CFA Equipment Manufacturer , China Waterwell Drilling Rig, Core Drilling Rig,and more.
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