The KNS reports that a new and improved plan [1] for the Sunsphere has been submitted by the developers and will be presented at a City Council workshop tomorrow afternoon. The new plan calls for a restaurant (but for some reason it won't involve the Wests as originally proposed), and office space for a local PR firm.

One of the developers is quoted in the article as saying that the high utility costs are an "urban myth." Bill Lyons said recently [2]:

Reaching an agreement has become much more problematic for all parties following construction cost and energy cost increases of the past couple of years. What we had was a proposal, which we have hoped could lead to a successful contractual arrangement. Many specifics have had to be worked out to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. KPH did not commit to paying the utilities for the structure in their proposal and the city did not commit to paying them in our RFP.

At any rate, it's good to hear the Sunsphere might be one step closer to being rescued and opened to the public again.

UPDATE: The article says the new lease proposal is for $57,000 per year, which is $3000 per month plus $2 per square foot [per year, approx. $21,000] for utilities, for a total of $4750 per month or $1.14 million over 20 years if my math is correct. If I'm not mistaken, the original proposal was for $1.44 million over 20 years, which is $72,000 per year, or $6000 per month.