The missing $4 million, still continued

The $4 million the state Assembly allotted to the Rhinos for PAETEC Park might not yet be in the city of Rochester's hands, but the FUTURE of that money certainly is.

On Friday I got an e-mail from Marc Violette, the press officer for the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), who confirmed that the $4 million is currently being held by the authority. However, he also said the authority is waiting on correspondence from the city before DASNY releases the funding.

Violette said that in late October, DASNY sent a modified Grant Disbursement Agreement (GDA) to the Rochester Urban Renewal Agency (RURA), the city entity that will ultimately receive the money before sending it along to the Rhinos. Violette said DASNY is now waiting for RURA to review the GDA and get back to the DASNY with comments before the money is sent to Rochester. (I apologize for all the acronyms.) So the ball is currently in the city's court (or, using a soccer metaphor, the ball is on the city's pitch).

I also asked Violette why DASNY — whose stated mission is to help finance projects for universities, medical facilities or local governments — has taken over the funding for a soccer stadium. He said DASNY is "also authorized to sell bonds to finance programs — often these are grant programs — created by the state Legislature." He added that the authority current administers "about 17" such programs.

So that's where things are at. Maybe SOMEDAY the Rhinos will get to finish their stadium ...