That and the fact that we remain suspicious of the whole idea of public subsidies for for-profit sports venues. And the fact that we also like the proposed Murray site for the same project.

But assuming that local and state officials are bound and determined to pour public money into this private venture no matter what we say, the Fairpark idea certainly has merit.

As Anderson pointed out, the government already owns the land, and it is land that right now goes to precious little use. Beyond the 10-day State Fair that fills the place up in early September, and a few small concerts and swap meets, it almost counts as undeveloped property.

So turning a segment of the Fairpark near 1000 West and 300 North into the home of Real Salt Lake would avoid using any tax money to buy land, or taking currently taxpaying land off the assessor's rolls. It could still require some sort of public subsidies, maybe half of the $60 million in construction.

There is certainly useful precedent for building sports stadiums on or near state fair grounds. RSL rival Columbus plays its home games in a new soccer-specific stadium near the Ohio State Fairgrounds. And the venerable Cotton Bowl in Dallas is on the grounds of the Texas State Fair Park.

Anderson's first choice, understandably, was some site closer to downtown. But that isn't looking feasible and, as both Murray and Sandy make attractive bids, the mayor needed a Plan B. And he found a good one.

While the much-vaunted economic multiplier effect of pro sports stadiums strikes us as overblown, the Fairpark neighborhood is in serious need of any sort of business draw. And the ethnic populations who already live on the West Side, particularly our Latino and Latina neighbors, would seem to form a solid fan base for the local futbol team.

Some of those neighbors, of course, might have problems with the noise and crowds a pro sports team would bring to their neighborhood. We would hope that any deal reached between the city and RSL would include some good-neighbor provisions.

There's a lot of calculating and deal-making to be done before Anderson's idea becomes reality. But it's a way that deserves serious consideration.