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On the heels of recent reports that Baylor's plans for a new on-campus football stadium next to the Brazos River have moved forward to the bid stage (I've read posts on subscriber boards from people that have actually seen the plans themselves), Baylor has apparently issued $120 million in new bonds. That number, coincidentally enough, was the reported shortfall after private donations for the planned stadium.
Marketwatch posted an article about the new bonds just over two hours ago detailing Fitch Ratings' assignment of a AA- grade and including the following:
The bonds are expected to sell via negotiation on or about the week of Jan. 30, 2012. Proceeds of the bonds will be utilized for various capital improvement projects.
I've heard/read quite a bit in the last year or so about Baylor's plans to build a new business school, as well a new tennis facility, so I don't want to overreact to this kind of news as assuring that a stadium will be built.
Momentum seems to be headed firmly in that directly, however, beginning with the comments of President Starr at the Alamo Bowl and continuing through last week, when Athletic Director Ian McCaw went so far as to discuss the seating of the proposed stadium on ESPN 1660 in Waco. Rumors persist that former Astros owner Drayton McLane pledged a significant amount to the project (though the specific amount continues to be a mystery) and that actual construction could begin as soon as this fall. I imagine that some of the delay from now to then will be due to the design and bid processes for the other improvements to the general stadium area such as bridges, roads, and parking lots.
Whenever it comes into being, I think I'll call it "The House that RG3 Built."
UPDATE: Thermhere posted this article from Baylor Magazine stating that the bonds are going to Baylor's portion of the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) and the East Village Residential Community. Because apparently conducting the business of a university and providing people with a place to live are somehow more important than building a stadium.