DOWNTOWN PROJECT Youngstown OKs contract with arena site liaison

The liaison is to monitor the builder and developer for city administration.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city is hiring a liaison between the administration and the downtown arena builder and developer.
The city's board of control approved a contract Thursday with Lee Esckilsen. He operates Entertainment and Sports Consulting, based in Providence, R.I. The contract is contingent on city council approval, which will be sought in two weeks.
The contract would pay Esckilsen $150 per hour plus expenses. City council's approval likely will come with a cap on pay for the consultant, said Law Director John McNally IV.
What he will do
Esckilsen's job is to monitor the builder and developer for the administration, McNally said.
Global Entertainment Corp., of Phoenix, is the developer. A subsidiary, International Coliseums Co., is building the 5,500-seat, $40 million arena.
Esckilsen is familiar with the project. A few years ago he worked with the city's consulting firm, Compass Facility Management, of Ames, Iowa.
Esckilsen also is an assistant professor in the Center for Sports, Recreation and Event Management at Johnson and Wales University in Providence.
His work is to include:
UVerifying that the arena design meets the city's criteria.
UMonitoring the budget, spending, quality, delivery and installation of the arena's furniture, fixtures and equipment to assure they meet the city's standards.
UMonitoring and reporting to the city if the project falls behind schedule or goes over budget.
USupervising construction to confirm that the materials and methods meet expectations.
UHelping the city negotiate and implement a marketing contract.
UHelping the city with tenant agreements such as with hockey or indoor football teams.
UHelping the city and arena operator create a schedule of events that meet the city's expectations.
UMonitoring construction punch lists to assure work is finished to the city's satisfaction.
Travel expenses
The city is to reimburse Esckilsen up to $800 per trip for airline tickets, $65 per day for rental cars, $120 per night for hotel rooms and $55 per day for meals. There also will be reimbursements for travel such as gas and tolls.
rgsmith@vindy.com