The new facility isn't expected to be completed until this fall. Earlier this week, MediaOne agreed to let the city out of its commitment to pick up the Main Street rent. Instead, when that lease expires in April, Springfield cable access will be moved to the company's Westfield facility until the Van Sickle project is completed. Still, cable experts balk at the city's agreement to pay for MediaOne's new center. That's unheard of.
Nobody does that.
When Arlington, Va., recently negotiated a new cable deal, for instance, its provider, Prime Communications, agreed to build a new public access studio and to pick up the move-in costs. In Springfield, in contrast, the city pays for MediaOne's new facility. Riedel also questioned the agreement's provision for public access funding. Albano not only settled for less, but also gave much of what he did get to the suspect SMTG, which in turn passed the money on to his stadium. In addition, by agreeing to a flat grant for the next 10 years, rather than asking for a percentage of MediaOne's annual receipts, Springfield won't benefit from the company's anticipated growth in revenues, Riedel said.