Jan. 17, 2000 SportsLine wire reports

MAPLE BLUFF, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers president Bob Harlan will propose renovating Lambeau Field instead of building a new stadium, sources told The Associated Press.

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Harlan will recommend to the Packers board of directors that the 42-year-old stadium be renovated, a source close to the team and a state official said Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

"They've settled on renovation," one of the sources said.

Harlan met with Gov. Tommy Thompson at the governor's mansion Monday, but said no plans had been finalized. It also is not known when Harlan will present a plan to the board.

Thompson and Harlan declined to discuss details because "it's still an internal matter. We're going to move as rapidly as we can."

Harlan has said he wants the board of directors to approve the stadium plan before the Wisconsin Legislature reconvenes Jan. 25.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette first reported Monday that Harlan would recommend renovating and expanding Lambeau Field.

"We're closing in on a final picture now," Harlan said after the 90-minute meeting with the governor and members of his staff.

Harlan and Thompson declined to discuss specifics of the meeting, but the governor said he expected the Legislature to approve any plan the team submitted.

"People don't want to see the Packers come up short," Thompson said.

Packers officials met with lawmakers over the last month and have said they will need taxpayer money to renovate Lambeau Field or build a new stadium by the start of the 2003 season in order to stay competitive in the National Football League.

Among the possibilities to help pay for a new stadium or renovations are specially designed Green Bay Packers license plates, which would cost $40 more than regular plates, a one-time user fee on season-ticket holders or a sales tax for eight counties in the Green Bay area.

A 0.1 percent sales tax, which would need legislative approval, could raise an estimated $6.5 million next year. Such a tax is similar to one imposed on Milwaukee area counties to fund Miller Park, the Milwaukee Brewers' new stadium.

Harlan has said that the team would prefer to stay at Lambeau Field, but needs to expand the stadium by about 8,000 seats to 69,000. The team also wants to add luxury boxes and other amenities, such as meeting or banquet areas.

Harlan also has said the team is willing to ask voters in a referendum whether they favor public funding for a new or renovated Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

The notion of taxpayer money being used to pay for a new stadium or renovations has received a mixed response from lawmakers. Some have said they don't like the idea, but most say they are keeping an open mind.

Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin said he was aware of the team's "basic plans" regarding the stadium issue.

"I have not had a meeting with (Harlan) where he has said, `This is the announcement that is going to be made,"' said Jadin, who expects to meet with team officials this week.

If the decision is to renovate Lambeau Field, "clearly the city is pleased," Jadin said.

"I feel that the renovation will allow the referendum to more successful," he said. "It not only reduces the cost but has far greater fan support even before doing any sort of promotion."