Rays, NAACP reach agreement on minority participation in stadium project

The Rays just announced that they have struck a deal with the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP on minority participation in development of a new waterfront stadium. According to a Rays release, the Rays have agreed to:

• Creating opportunities for youth through scholarships, internships, job training and neighborhood development programs;
• Providing increased opportunities for African Americans, women and other minority groups within all levels of the Rays organization and through increased vendor opportunities
• Advocating for the development of a fair, affordable housing initiative and anti-discrimination plan for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site;
• Advocating for the development of a local hiring and minority business participation plan for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site; and
• Developing and implementing a local hiring and minority business participation plan for the Rays proposed waterfront ballpark.

“The advocacy and promotion of civil rights, equal education, and increased economic opportunity for St. Petersburg’s African American and minority community is an essential ingredient in the NAACP’s drive towards achieving the vision of a vibrant and growing community,” said Oretha Pope Jr., Economic Development Chairperson of the St. Petersburg Branch of the NAACP.   “We recognize that this unique partnership between the Rays and NAACP can strengthen both organizations, our neighborhoods, and our City.”

The Rays, meanwhile, said have engaged the Ariel Business Group, a Tampa Bay area consulting firm led by Thomas Huggins, to help develop this comprehensive program to include local residents and minority and women-owned business enterprises in all opportunity areas in the design, construction and operations of the proposed waterfront ballpark.

“The construction of a new $450 million waterfront ballpark will create enormous economic opportunity through the creation of 5,000 – 6,000 construction jobs and hundreds of other professional and service jobs and contracting opportunities,” said Matt Silverman, Rays President.  “The Rays are committed to allocating necessary resources and developing a comprehensive program to link the minority communities within the City to this great opportunity.”

Comments

[get-smart]

Another joke. Only the White people listen to the NAACP. Did they tell them about GENTRIFICATION yet.

[Rick K]

Get-Smart:

Just which of the NEW things (that the Rays and the NAACP have agreed to do) do you think are unworthy goals?

[Jon McPhee]

Hey, Aaron -- any word from the Bill Maxwells of the world what they think of this "commitment?" Any input on whether the Rays Boys would have said all these things anyway, without getting the imprimatur of the NAACP, as a way to build momentum for the "deal" at little or no cost? And do any of these "commitments" actually involve any cost to the Rays owners? I see a lot of "advocating" for things that the Rays can't actually deliver themselves, and a lot of assumptions about who will be driving the construction. Is this a done deal already? I thought the voters all had a chance to speak.

[get-smart]

Dear Bunky, Is your Pretty Red POWW sign being stolen by some local street toughs or hooligans? Are you tired of replacing your Pretty Red POWW sign while your neighbor is gleefully running around his Blue "Lets Build It" sign. There is a simple solution. With a simple can of Red paint you can share the experience together. Yes, First, draw a large RED circle in the center of his "Lets Build It" sign. Then draw a line thru the circle at 45* angle. Now you both can enjoy the lawn signage. O.K.- let the fun begin. If you are Pro Stadium, you run clockwise around the sign to show your support. If you are Against the Stadium you run anti-clockwise. Having fun Yet?

[Bill]

I compliment the Rays for their agreement reached with the NAACP. This is an economic package that will be good for all of St. Petersburg. This is a big step in the right direction. Congratulations to both organizations.

[JudyToo]

So the Rays are so desperate they have to play the race card? That is just too much!

What would happen if they gave equal opportunities to everyone, like:

Creating opportunities for youth through scholarships, internships, job training and neighborhood development programs;

Providing increased opportunities for all Americans, women and other groups within all levels of the Rays organization and through increased vendor opportunities

Advocating for the development of a fair, affordable housing initiative and anti-discrimination plan for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site;

Advocating for the development of a local hiring and minority business participation plan for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site; and

Developing and implementing a local hiring and minority business participation plan for the Rays proposed waterfront ballpark.
----------------

In other words, why is the agreement with the NAACP? Why not with ALL of the residents os St. Pete? Don't they know that people who are not African American also vote?

Boy, they have hit a new low with this one. Even lower than trying to show us how they can use that $6770 Million for the Trop site to pay off the debt AND build a new stadium. Is that magic or what?

[Erick]

I support a different stadium:

Al Lang Field Community Ballpark

http://kc.wizards.mlsnet.com/t105/stadium/

[Bill]

JudyToo,

You should be ashamed of yourself

[Jon McPhee]

Bill who? Bill the taxpayers and bond debtors? Nice choice of alias -- maybe that's Rick K, would one guess? Sure isn't Bill Maxwell, is it? He would actually identify himself. This gambit "is revealing."

In case it's not transparent, the way one builds "momentum" for a public ripoff like this is to send Mr. Kalt, or another slick, piecemeal to various civic groups with larger voices and, via offering one kind of apparent plum or carrot or another (especially one that doesn't cost the projectors much) to get the organization's buy-in.

That's going on as we speak, of course, with every other neighborhood and interest-group organization the Rays owners think they can hoodwink with vague promises and Powerpoint pretty pictures.

[Rick K]

Jon McPhee:

I have no need to resort to trickery. I am just one person trying to keep these discussions honest and free of too much BS. It's interesting that you are so quick to suspect that people will resort to sneakiness. Usually, people who leap to such conclusions about unethical behavior in strangers are simply projecting their own flimsy ethics onto others.

Now, please, let's discuss the issues, without resorting to all sorts of diversions.

In case it is not apparent, the way one creates widespread "buy in" for large scale projects (the single largest economic development project in St. Petersburg history) is by bringing as many constituencies on board as possible.

You are being ridiculous by trying to indict a reasonable political and civil approach to winning community support.

[The Uhurus]

why dey not make deal wid us?
we no more riot and shoot people

come to store dees weekend ... big sale on use furniture

PEACE OUT

[Make A Deal]

The Uhurus~
You could not have nailed 'how to be offensive' any better! Your community could not be more ashamed of the voice you share.

[Chuck]

Finally a thread that debunks the myth of the stadium opposition being the "classy" side of the debate.

Thank you JudyToo.

I'm not sure about furniture but apparently the Uhurus make a mean egg sandwich. Either that or people are attempting to make a political statement with their breakfast choice.

[Ray F]

Are you people that sick? Egg sandwiches? Furniture sales? Riots? You make me ashamed to call myself an honest, hard working, white male. Because an organization wants to garner support from different civic associations they get ridiculed??? What a terrible time to be a resident of St Pete. You sick bastards.

[Chuck]

Ray I fixed your post:

"Because a domestic terrorist organization wants to garner support from different civic associations they get ridiculed???"

Yes.

[Jasper]

If my history serves me correctly, Adolf Hitler signed a few agreements too, which down the road ment absolutely nothing. No Thanks Stu, you can keep your propaganda.

[Kyle]

Anyone been to Baywalk recently. The cops can't keep that safe, how will they handle the Trop site?

[Kyle]

Anyone been to Baywalk recently. The cops can't keep that safe, how will they handle the Trop site?

[Ray F]

So Chuck, the Rays are a domestic terrorist organization???

Wow. I have nothing to say to that. I believe you've lost touch with reality. Sorry.

[jtb]

we are now comparing sternberg to hitler? nice.

[Chuck]

Ray -

I was talking about the Uhurus. I'm not sure how that was lost.

[Kyle]

Chuck- In the future don't drink the cooler of beer before you post. Or share it either.

[Chuck]

Haha. My Bad.

[Shaniqua]

Why didn't the Rays reach out to the black community 10 years ago?? What percentage of African Americans hold salaried positions in CURRENT Rays management??? Just more proof that the only time the uber-wealthy reach out to the poor & minorities is when they need something. No new stadium.

[Kyle]

Shaniqua-please except this as an apology now so that in 200 years my great-great-great grandson doesn't have to apologize then.

[Thousands of little RED Signs]

Over ten years of the Rays being here and now they make promises to the NAACP, and the NAACP BELIEVES THEM????????

[Dr_Dug]

What a joke! "they have struck a deal with the St.Petersburg branch of the NAACP on minority participation in development of a new waterfront stadium?" WHAT NEW STADIUM? Again....What new Stadium? There is no deal for a new ballpark...or is this a sign that our pathetic City Council has given the go-ahead on the waterfront WITHOUT the Voters knowing it. Honestly, how do you strike deals without it being approved? Did they spend thier time together in Fantasy Land talking about what-ifs or is there something there much deeper..like the green light from city leaders. Whatever it is....something smells fishy.......

[The Truth]

Yea Yea... the deal is .... Keep the Blacks away and the people might come. Stop the drugs, gun shooting, Black hos....and so forth. It's one of the reasons some whites don't go to the Trop now!
Nice re-development plan.....Keep the blacks away by placing them in a certain spot! GO RAYS

[gary grooms]

Shaniqua,

The Rays have been here for 10+ years the new ownership has not. If you want to know why the Rays didn't "reach out" 10 years ago you should ask the guy that owned the team then.

Dr_Dug,

This quote of yours is perfect! "Honestly, how do you strike deals without it being approved? " Can I use it the next time somebody asks where the parking agreements are?

[College Person]

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