Rays propose new stadium

[John F]

I've always been against that DR34M. Not just becuase the yankees woudl fight it as they would have to shut down Steinbrenner Field, but because the Glazers (teh Bucs owners) woudl draw in cash because they get a perdcentage of parkign revenues.

The RJS location is good for weekly events -- football games. Or the seasonal Yankee spring training games. It's not a night-after-night location. Especially because Dale Maybry, Martin Luther King Blvd and other streets around and near the stadium are vital commuter links.

So location is part of it but where is another. Somewhere in Tampa -- I agree -- because that is logistically teh middle fo the region or at least the imediate Tampa Bay area. Personally? And this isn't plausible or do-able because the land is not available -- the Westshore Plaza mall location (which is not far from Tampa International airport, not far from the Interstate, not far from Howard Franklin Bridge (and points both west and south)...

It's a thriving district. It's also a thriving mall. It'd be an interesting ballpark location.

Also, people keep suggesting Brandon and the junciton of I75 and I*-4, but that is too far removed from everything.

[DR3AMR]

My grandparents lived near McDill for 35 years, so I've been to Westshore. Just don't remember much about it. And I agree that the red-light laden Dale Mabry isn't a good idea either.

What about that old dog racing park in Hillsborough? I remember hearing something about that location.

[John F]

Ironic, that has crossed my mind as well (the dog track). Theys till race greyhounds there but I wonder if they can be coerced into selling...?

[John F]

City council preps for voting on Rays' stadium
Thursday, June 5, 2008

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- It is voting day for St. Petersburg city leaders.


Up for debate: the much-hyped downtown waterfront stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Today, the city council will take the first of three votes on the issue.

Specifically, council members will decide if the referendum process will begin to let voters have their say on the issue in November. If they vote no, the whole thing is dead. But if they vote yes, the process of drafting the referendum language will get underway.

Councilman Karl Nurse is against the stadium but wants voters to have their say.

"Give voters the choice to say.. 'okay.' This is the last time we want to deal with this on the waterfront.' said Nurse. "And if they vote in favor..of the other of preserving the Al Lang site, then we won't be talking about plan B.. C.. Or plan D."

The city council will take a second vote in July and a final one in August. During the final vote in August, council members will hold a second reading of the referendum.

Council members would get a chance to kill the referendum altogether at that time.

If the referendum gets through the third vote, it will appear on the November ballot.


http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2...voting+on+Rays