Game-Day Issues Loom Over Seattle

The city has until Monday to work something out to the satisfaction of the Seattle Mariners to pay for game-day police services and litter cleanup at a proposed new ballpark.

The deadline was imposed by the Public Facilities District, which is charged with building the $414 million, retractable-roof stadium and adjacent parking garage for the American League team.

The Mariners, too, want the city to make some kind of commitment by Monday or face the prospect of seeing the team up for sale, said ballclub spokesman Bob Hartley.

Wednesday, Mayor Norm Rice proposed a cost-sharing plan that would have the city pay for litter cleanup on game days at an estimated cost of $20,000 to $40,000 a year. He also offers that the city will pay for on-duty police traffic control on game days and the ballclub will pay for police overtime, not to exceed $500,000 in a regular season.