"I'd say calling this a good deal is an understatement," Councilman Steve Fairbanks said. "I'm really impressed."

Because that $35 million comes from tourism dollars, which fluctuate from year to year, officials were nervous whether the $35 million deal could really be done.

"We turned that raw revenue source into up-front dollars," said Jason Burningham, the city's financial analyst.

Meanwhile, Sandy is also hosting a hearing next Tuesday on a Community Development Area. That CDA, a tool of redevelopment-agency law, encompasses the Real site. If all taxing entities sign on, $10 million in property taxes will be redirected to the stadium project. Sandy will be voting on the creation of the CDA Tuesday and plans to go to the taxing entities to see if they will opt in by September or October.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Sandy will also vote on the development agreement.

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E-mail: astowell@desnews.com