On Thursday, June 14, the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission (CVC) voted to enter arbitration with the St. Louis Rams concerning future renovations to the Edward Jones Dome. The two sides will choose three arbitrators to hear the case, which could last for six months or more.
This news shouldn't surprise anyone who has been following this issue closely. There was no way that the Rams were going to accept the CVC's rather low $48 and $124 million offers to renovate the Dome. And there was no way that the CVC was going to accept the Rams' $700 million renovation plan.
The CVC's proposals didn't do enough to make the Dome a first-tier stadium, and the Rams' offer, while spectacular, likely wouldn't have been approved by city taxpayers. Now the arbitrators will decide between the proposals presented by both sides, or they can create their own plan. Either way, it's going to be a long process. Fans shouldn't expect a resolution soon, which is fine with me. The arbitration cycle gives the city, the team, and the fans a chance to breathe for a few months.
There is one thing about the arbitration process that caught my attention. What if the arbitrators reject both plans and come up with their own? What will the CVC do if the arbitrators come up with a plan that would cost $400 million instead of $700 million? Will the CVC accept it or will the Rams be free to investigate other options? I've seen quite a few fans and media members argue that the team will pitch in for renovations, but I doubt it. The lease holds the CVC responsible for ensuring the Rams play in a first-tier stadium, not the team. The city could be on its own. with a sizable bill.
Still, all of those questions are months away from being answered. Honestly, I hope this break gives Rams fans a chance to focus on what's going on with the team. A lot of changes have been made over the past few months, but it seems as though much of the club's improvements are being forgotten. I'm looking forward to the immediate future. Training camp is drawing near, and there is plenty of reason to be excited about the 2012 Rams. Hopefully, I can put all of the stadium drama aside for now.
Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson's 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.
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