Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard said he was putting on hold a proposal to privatize management of the city’s sports stadiums and convention center.
The announcement comes six months after Ballard put out a request for information from companies interested in taking over management of the Capital Improvement Board, which runs the city’s Lucas Oil Stadium, the Conseco Fieldhouse, and the Indiana Convention Center.
Ballard’s decision comes in part because the city will host the Super Bowl in 2012 and is in the midst of expanding the convention center. The city is also negotiating with the Indiana Pacers over the future of the team’s role at Conseco.
The basketball team currently operates the fieldhouse, but team officials have complained about the annual $15 million operating costs. It’s expected that the city will take over operation of the facility.
The CIB is in the midst of trying to climb out of an operating deficit that has prompted intervention by city, county, and state officials. The board has cut its budget to $45 million from $78 million.
