Harwell makes case for saving Tiger Stadium

Associated Press

Hall of
Fame sportscaster Ernie Harwell made his case for saving Tiger Stadium from the
wrecking ball, telling City Council members today he would be willing to
mediate between them and groups wanting to preserve the venerable ballpark.

Harwell
asked the council to postpone any decision on the stadium’s future until after
the council returns in September.

However,
council members decided to vote later today on whether to turn over the stadium
project to the public-private Detroit Economic Growth Corp.

The
council long has been trying to decide what to do with the ballpark.

Mayor
Kwame Kilpatrick has sought to demolish part of it to help redevelop a
neighbourhood in need of new stores and homes.

Tiger
Stadium – under several names – has stood at the corner of

Michigan
and

Trumbull
since 1912. It has been empty since team owner Mike Ilitch moved the ballclub
to

Comerica

Park in 2000.

City
officials have said security and maintenance costs

Detroit $25,000 each month.