ARENA BOARD News and notes

The board overseeing the proposed downtown civic center project handled these issues Thursday:
Approved sending out a request for proposals seeking a development consultant on a part-time, temporary basis. The consultant will guide the board through issues such as selecting a management firm.
Approved sending out a request for proposals seeking a secretary-office manager. The full-time job, with benefits, involves handling day-to-day paperwork associated with the arena project. The board will review a contract to rent a second floor office in the city-owned Wick building for $1 once a lawyer is hired.
Asked the city law director's office for advice on how to handle executive sessions the board's personnel committee may need as it reviews the hiring of a lawyer.
In response to a question, Vice Chairman Robert VanSickle said the city has secured an option to buy land between the Market Street and South Avenue bridges, which was expected. The site is the one picked by city council for the arena. The land, however, hasn't been paid for, he said.