Speaking of construction, Saturday's Washington Times reports that the DC auditor has determined (to the chagrin of David Catania, no doubt) that the stadium remains beneath the mandated $611 million budget cap: "Nichols said budget projections for certain parts of the project have increased, but that the overall project remains on budget. [...] But Nichols said these new costs do not violate the cost cap, because the city was able to make up the difference in savings or reductions to other budget items. Commission budget figures show the city spent about $17 million less than estimates on financing for the stadium and about $2 million less than estimates on installation of utilities. The commission also reduced its contingency for the project from $19 million to about $9 million. Several council members including David Catania, at-large Independent, have claimed that the sports commission should include the cost of improvements to Metro and roadwork as part of the ballpark budget. But Nichols said those costs, which total $36 million, are not part of the $611 million budget. "