A disagreement between the Rockets and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority over which construction company should build the $175 million arena could potentially delay its opening.  Steve Brewer if the Houston Chronicle reports that, of four finalists, the Sports Authority wants Hunt Construction Group while the Rockets want Clark Contractors.  The Rockets prefer Clark because they are the cheapest ($16.4 million compared to $19.1 for Hunt) and the Rockets are responsible for cost over-runs.  The Sports Authority says that Hunt is the most qualified, with sufficient personnel and prior arena-building experience, and that Hunt is more likely to meet deadlines.



The Rockets have requested mediation over the dispute.  According to their agreement with the Sports Authority, disputes are addressed first with mediation -- which is a quick process -- then (if that fails) with binding arbitration, which will be a long, litigative process.  If they must resort to binding arbitration, the construction project will be delayed.  The arena is supposed to be available in September 2003.