Al Lang off limits?

The City Council has been talking about rezoning Al Lang Field as a protected waterfront park for about a year.

Now Council member Karl Nurse is raising the stakes, suggesting the council reduce the height limit of what can be built at Al Lang. And it seems his colleagues are on board.

At least five council members said they would seriously consider the proposal this week.

"There is obviously a portion of the community that is very avid in wanting it to be parkland and as least developed as possible," said Council member Jim Kennedy.

Only Council member Bill Dudley wants to leave Al Lang as is. The other two council members, Wengay Newton and Herb Polson, could not immediately be reached for comment.

This latest turn of events could be the final death sentence to the Rays' waterfront stadium plan. By approving the measure, the council would be sending a message that Al Lang is off limits to major development.

"This is our unique waterfront," said Council member Jeff Danner, who supports reducing the height limit of about 300 feet to less than 70 feet.

City officials had previously said they would hold off on making any changes to Al Lang until the Rays' plans were more concrete.

On the other hand, no matter what, the Rays could get their waterfront stadium if it is approved in a voter referendum.

And the council won't be making a decision on the height limit any time soon, so waterfront stadium fans have reason to keep hope alive.

The council is set to discuss Al Lang's future Thursday, and will most likely refer the matter to committee without taking any action.

Rays proposed stadium 3-d video

I've been waiting patiently to share this with you all. And finally, it's here.

The city of St. Petersburg has a new, 45 second, 3-d video model showing the Tampa Bay Rays proposed waterfront stadium in its proposed downtown surroundings. Check it out. My hunch is that this video will support the opinions of both people for and against the waterfront stadium.

Big thank you to the city and specifically Julie Weston for helping us get copy of this video.

Grand prix official responds to Rays' design changes

Yesterday, we told you that the Rays' made some changes to their proposed $450-million waterfront stadium to accommodate the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Today, Times racing reporter Brant James checked in with race officials. Here's his report:

Grand Prix of St. Petersburg general manager Tim Ramsberger, while "encouraged" that the Rays had made a first effort at co-existence despite no direct meeting, wondered if the new high-speed corner proposed to replace Turns 4, 5, and 6 through the Progress Energy Field parking lot would be a safety hazard. The Rays' plan did not cite the architect of the course alteration. Such a change, from a low-speed chicane to a high-speed S-turn, would likely require the course to be recertified by the FIA, the world motorsports governing body.

St. Petersburg Preservation opposes Al Lang location

Will Michaels, president of St. Petersburg Preservation, just released his group's view of the Rays' stadium proposal. You can read their analysis here. Michaels also was chairman of the Council of Neighborhood Association's baseball committee (CONA also is opposing the stadium).

POWW says the stadium could look like this

From St. Pete Protect our Wallets and Waterfront, the group opposing the Rays' stadium plan:

"Who controls the naming rights to the stadium and just how much of the stadium itself could be used as a billboard are still very much up in the air. Remember, they need money, money, money to pay for this thing!

"They could even use the sail as a huge movie screen and play ads on it that could be seen from miles away. Its just one more reason why this is a BAD IDEA.

"Why take something healthy and beautiful and destroy it when there are perfectly good alternatives??"

Sternberg: Stadium in 2012 or bust

Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg was on New York sports talk radio this afternoon talking about the early success of the team, and the stadium came up. Listen to the interview here . (It's worth it).

If you don't feel like clicking, here's the gist of what Sternberg had to say, Courtesy of Rays Index:

• Sternberg made it clear that the stadium would either be open by 2012 or it will not happen. If the referendum does not pass this fall, there will not be another attempt to get it passed.