The AP is reporting: "D-C Mayor Anthony Williams says one way or another on Friday his staff will submit a reworked baseball stadium plan to the D-C Council. He says "in order to have it done, in the time we need it done, we need to have it in by Friday." He says "then we're going to continue to work on the votes." Williams says he believes the various sides have addressed key points cited by some council members. He says he believes they've made progress on such issues as cost, benefit to the community and development rights. Williams says he can't wait to have the stadium matter settled "so we can get it built and produce all the benefits that I think it will." UPDATE, 3:37 pm: An expanded AP story says that the mayor is still working to get the seven votes needed for passage, but that mediation between the District and Major League Baseball has helped clear up key points cited by concerned City Council members, and that the new deal provides cost control on both the stadium and the land.

The Post has posted on its web site "D.C. Could Force Out Property Owners For Stadium", which says: "The District government has asked a Superior Court judge for permission to force property owners to vacate about 14 acres of land near the Anacostia River by Feb. 7 so the city can begin construction of a new baseball stadium, arguing that any delays could set back the project. In a court filing last Friday, city attorneys said construction must begin soon to complete the stadium by March 2008, as required in the agreement with Major League Baseball." The article goes on to explain the eminent domain process, and that the city has done this even though Ye Olde Stadium Lease Agreement still hasn't been approved. UPDATE: The WashTimes's story says many of the same things; it also says: "Meanwhile, the Anacostia Waterfront Corp., which was created by the city to direct waterfront-development efforts, is working with developers on a plan to cap the cost of acquiring the 26 acres of land at the ballpark site. Under the plan, the city would direct any revenue from development on the ballpark site toward [land] cost overruns."