Rays planning waterfront ballpark

ST. PETERSBURG - The Tampa Bay Rays are planning a $450-million stadium on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront site of Al Lang Field.

The stadium, with about 35,000 seats, would be paid for primarily by the team, which would contribute about $150-million, along with the proceeds of the sale of development rights to Tropicana Field. The team hopes to attract a private developer to build a large retail/residential complex at the Tropicana Field site. The team also would seek as much as $60-million in future state sales-tax revenues, which would require approval by the Legislature.

"We are excited about the possibilities of these projects, and the economic benefits that they would bring to our community,'' Rays president Matt Silverman said at a late Friday night news conference at Tropicana Field. "We would certainly involve the public in any process related to this.''

St. Petersburg voters would need to approve the new stadium because it is public property. The city would attempt to sell the land to the county so it wouldn't have to pay property taxes. The Rays would ask for a longterm lease.

The new stadium would be open-air, but it could be covered with sail-like material on a cabling system. Some seating areas would be air conditioned.

The stadium would be built on the site of the longtime spring training stadium that the team is leaving next year.

The new stadium would be positioned so that balls hit over the right-field fence would splash into the water, similar to the Giants stadium in San Francisco.

-- Aaron Sharockman and Marc Topkin, Times staff writers

Comments

[J Simon]

That's fine, but make it a real retractible roof - please . . .

[Bill]

A stadium on the waterfront? Please! Downtown St. Pete has already come a long way. All of the new waterfront ballparks are great. I'm thinking about what Camden Yards did for downtown Baltimore. This could really put the walking area of downtown on the map.

[Corey Brookhouzen]

This is a great idea whose time has come. Perfect ambiance for baseball, open air, on the water, lively downtown location. St. Pete would be nuts to turn down this opportunity.

[RaydioHead]

!!!!!NO...MORE...CATWALKS!!!!
The stadium design idea sounds similar to one that was raised in the late 1970s: open air but with a cover over the stands. But that one didn't contain air-conditioning. A real, retractable dome would be incredibly expensive and would obliterate fans view of the waterfront. If they can make it comfortable, go for it.
!!!!!NO...MORE...CATWALKS!!!!

[Joe]

Yeah, The stadium is the problem.
TRY NOT BEING THE WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL!

[Tim]

Yes, Yes, Yes!

[Ron]

Largely paid for by the team? 150 million out of 450 million? That is only 1/3. How much are those development rights worth, anyway?

[steve oneal]

Gee another stadium built on public property with no property taxes paid by team. 150 million doesn't sound like rays are paying for majority of 450 million stadium. I seem to remember the Bucs promising to pay for half of Ray Jay. Still waiting for there half and they don't pay property tax either. I say if they want stadium, BUY THE PROPERTY, BUILD IT YOURSELF AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES AND THAT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA!!

[Rid]

Gary Shelton, seer of the future, pretty much pegged this in his column on May 9th of this year.

[Casey Peterson]

I honestly don't care who pays for it. I know, I'm a jerk. I just don't want to watch my favorite sports team in the whole world in the Trop for more than a few more years if they can help it.

Rays: AL East champions 2008!

[Ron]

Why don't they just move to Legends Field? It has plenty of seats for the 8,000 or so who actually attend Devil Ray games. (Rays is a stupid name. They are the Devil Rays to me.)

[duh]

How is "Devil Rays" not as stupid? Oh right, when stupid people like it.

[Edward]

35,000 seats? In that location? WHERE DOES EVERYBODY PARK? An open-air stadium is a fine idea... domes and retractables suck... but in this location? You'd absolutely destroy the bayfront area. And WHERE DOES EVERYBODY PARK?!

[Steve O]

They don't look like any other baseball team. At least not any other major league team. I could see a Rookie league team in Montana wearing those. The green and white vests looked amazing, but for some reason blue and yellow go together? Not only that, but changing the name is ridiculous. Devil Rays flows with Tampa Bay so well. It's a syllable thing, and Tampa Bay Rays kind of leaves you wanting more. It's unsatisfying, and unless they dropped Bay (which would never happen since St. Pete thinks people care about them), Rays will never work. I think if they were to change anything it should have been Tampa Rays, green and white unis, and a new Ray logo. Stick with something normal, don't go crazy! Baseball isn't jai lai! Whatever.

[Steve O]

STUPID! Why would the build a park so far away from the fan base(TAMPA)? It's not directly near any interstates and a sail-like material to cover? WHY?!?! Either leave it open air, or give us air conditioning! OOOO the $150+ seats will have a/c, so that's fine...OH YEAH, 35,000 seats? What park is that small??? Really, it's a bad decision after these horrible uniforms, and puts the stadium in a site where it's even harder for people from Tampa to get to, and almost impossible for anyone from Orlando to get to, which I know is the team's goal. If they want it on the water, find some space near the ICE PALACE (St. Pete Times Ice Sports Forum). The best location is Al Lopez Park, across from Ray-Jay, but no, they don't like people coming to games.

Yes. Knock down the current eye-sore and replace it with a 500 seat stadium so the Rays can say they have sellout games MOST of the time.
Idiots!

[bob]

Woo hoo!!! Does it get any better than open air seating, when it's 90 degrees and there's 95% humidity in the shade? Thank goodness we'll be able to buy $5 bottles of water or $10 beers.

[Steve]

What do you mean retractables suck. I lived in Phoenix and the Diamondbacks' park is awesome! I'd love a new stadium for the Rays but where's the space for parking? I'd hate to see another parking nightmare like I grew up with in Boston at Fenway Park. Private lots that charge up the wazoo...no thanks. Maybe they can keep the current lot and have light rail run to the new stadium...like the light rail at the airport now.

I like the catwalks. I've always prayed a stray beam would fall and impale the idiot heckler who thinks he's actually amusing people with his loudmouthed nonsense.

[Frank]

I think it's great that they want a new stadium. After the game there is actually somewhere to go because of the downtown shopping area and restaurants (ex. Baywalk) so close to the stadium. Before you just got in your car and left. There is going to be a baseball environment surrouing the stadium that is similar to every other park. I think it will be great for the area. Let's go Rays!

[Nick]

Edward is right: Where will everyone park? Traffic flow? Getting to and from games will tie up downtown in major-league traffic jams. No A/C? That will kill attendance. Phoenix is in the desert, and deserts cool off at night; there's no humidity, either. Not Florida in August. Heat and humidity all night May through September. The comparison to Phoenix isn't valid. Sure, the Trop has its flaws, but it's isn't that bad.

And with today's tax climate, how will any politician justify any tax subsidies? They'll have to say, we made a $150-million mistake, now let's fix it for a lot more.

[jr]

This is ill thought-out. The Rays present location sucks but it was pushed down our throats by the St Pete Times to help downtown St. Pete. Nevermind that every other storefront there is boarded up and panhandlers run amok.

If you are really deadset that the stadium be in the most logical place---TAMPA--than put it in the second most logiocal place--FEATHER SOUND.

And as far as this ownership-management is concerned, not one penny for anything since these jokers won't commit to big bucks to improve the team.

[Aaron]

I hate how people are complianing about the heat.. people goto Raymond James and dont complain.. People alos neglect that the Sea Breeze will kick it down a notch. The Heat will an advantage in the summer when they wear the white unis at home.

[PV]

Make the owners commit to the local area and then lets talk about a new stadium. Winning is the purpose, lets not forget that! Spend the money on Quality players and prove to all of us this is more than a business deal!

[PV]

Make the owners commit to the local area and then lets talk about a new stadium. Winning is the purpose, lets not forget that! Spend the money on Quality players and prove to all of us this is more than a business deal!

[RAYS fan since Game 1]

This is fantastic! Redeveloping the trop site will spread the downtown renaissance to the west and south. And a waterfront baseball stadium? St. Pete is going to be a real city.

[jim]

use high rise parking garages for non tailgaters and have a grassy area somewhere for tailgaters. isn't that airport closing(albert whithed) use that for parking and have a shuttle. FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jo]

Hooray! Tear down the tractor-pull-dome on the superfund site! I don't go to Rays games because I hate that giant garbage can they play in! An open-air waterfront park with an open outfield fence overlooking the bay? World Class...if they do it right. That would put St Pete light years ahead in image. And St Pete (Pinellas in general) is built-out. Which means we keep the small-midsize city feel. Should have done this to begin with!

[Go Rays!]

This news on the heels of the amazing event downtown last night?! I haven't seen that much excitement and energy in downtown St. Pete...ever. These guys are on a roll. Kudos to Silverman and team. With this kind of vision, they are going to take St. Pete into a whole new era. Wonder if there are already plans drawn up -- can't wait to see them!

[tu-sweet]

What is this about spending $450 Million on a NEW STADIUM... scrape that ideal... how about spending some of that money on some pitching so we can pack the old one. Now thats and ideal who's time has come!!!!!

[JJ]

A new stadium would rock. Here is what I hope happens next. The Marlins move to Vegas or Portland and are moved to the AL West. To even it out, ship the Rays to the NL East where they would actually have a chance to do something. Being in the same division as the Evil Empire and the Not as Evil Empire make it nearly impossible to make the playoffs.

[Herman]

Domes and retractables are fine for cold and rainy climates. But we who live here are supposed to love the heat!? An open-air venue is a great idea....... but why put it where people in any volume can't go because of parking and traffic? STOOUUUPID. Put a stadium where the Sombrero used to be (at least it'd be accessible).

[Frank]

Spend the money on building a winning team and people will come. If you think the attendance is small now, just put people outside in 95 degree heat and watch it drop even more!

[McLuhan]

Steve O, your 5:58pm(11/09) comment is just so typical, and misinformed. You believe the "marketplace" is Tampa which is probably about one quarter correct. Imagine if the Bucs pre 1996 had relied only upon support from Tampa(no St Pete, no Clearwater, no Pinellas County, etc.). In that event C.I.T. initiative would have never occurred, because the limited "marketplace" as you define it would not have been deemed viable. Ergo, no Bucs! Your comments about stadium location are equally short sighted. I'm sure you understand that most home MLB baseball games start around 7:00pm on WEEKNIGHTS!! This provides a direct conflict with the Dale Mabry RUSH HOUR!! I-275 in St Pete passes as close to the waterfront as it does to Ray-Jay in Tampa. There are also two Interstate feeders(I-175 & I-375) which end only a few short blocks from the site where this stadium is being proposed. Conceptually, people could park in garages near these feeders & either walk or take trolleys to the game. If you've ever gone to MLB baseball games in densely populated downtown locations you would know that this how many of the teams handle their parking issues. Even though it's on the edge of downtown St Pete, the approach to parking at the Trop most resembles that of Kauffmann Stadium in Kansas City; which would be fine if the Trop was located 10 miles out of town in the middle of an old cow pasture. One of the biggest problems with the Trop is it was designed and built at the end of a stadium building cycle that includes among others Veteran's(Philly), Atlanta Fulton County, Metroome(Minneapolis) and the Kingdome(Seattle). By 1998, when the Rays finally began play, the new wave of stadium building(& design) had already commenced; yielding us New Comiskey(Chicago), Camden Yards(Baltimore), among many others. As such, The Trop in many ways was effectively obsolete before it ever hosted a big league game.

[Baylink]

Count me in on the

1) Name change bad.
2) Waterfront stadium bad.
3) More tax dollars really bad.
4) Nondomed stadium probably bad.
and
5) Comments on only when we feel like it... bad.

...fronts.

Caving into religious fanatics. Furrfu. Did they change the name of the fish, too?

[Rich]

I have season tickets but if they build an open air stadium they can stick them. I have no desire to sit in 95 degree heat and humidity. Thats exactly why I don't go to Bucs games in Sept and Oct. Can you imagine how bad the heat is going to be in July & August? This is incredibly stupid.

[Marley]

So if the stadium is 450 million, and the Rays management is paying 150 million and profits from the current stadium development...who things that the taxpayers aren't going to get straddled with a huge portion??? We can't open a library on the weekends but someone thinks this is a good idea?? Parking?? Why do we want another empty stadium?? And if you are talking about an open air stadium...I think you forget how hot it will be for afternoon games. This is ridiculous!!!! We have seen tax cuts do a number on our services...we need those back NOT to pay for a new stadium.

[Marley]

And another thing...let the people vote on it. As crazy as I think it is...isn't this a democratic nation??? Why should the men with money decide what we have to pay??!!

[Delepierre Andre]

From France,

The St Pe City hall seems to show the same frenzy trend to let commercial sports teams to disfigure shore lines with huge buildings only conceived to bring more money in the pockets of sports clubs owners.

Commercial Soccer teams in France as well as NLB teams in the US can make these huge profits because city halls counselors have been hoaxed by the commercial sports spin doctors. The story goes like this : this new stadium is good for the image of the city.. so give us XX Million $.

In the meantime, as one of the reader mentions, there is no money for the public library ( same thing in my hometown, Lille, Northern France). But the city hall here intends to spend 400 millions of euros ( 1 euro = 1€ = 1.40 US $) to build a 50 000 seats stadium which would be rented for peanuts to the local football team.

I can only advise the SP local citizens to oppose the public funding of these stadiums. Professionnal sports teams owners should do what the average citizen does : arrange a meeting at the bank, show the project, and ask if they are eligible for a loan instead of plundering public money.
Andre Delepierre, Lille France

[kenneth ward stephens sr]

i think is great Idea for Rays build new stadium on old stadium make it better when not raing have that roof open get fresh air in from sea brezze i say lets do it let them have a new stadium and old one turn it in retrials and more shopping place

[rayray]

New bayfront stadium would be way wicked cool & it would be a big splash the most beautiful downtown waterfront in the FL / SouthEast. As a St. Pete resident & die-hard Rays fan/supporter, this would be a huge lift for community pride & bonding, add to our already fantastic quality of life and give us a lasting positive identity. Hail to Stu Crew & Silverman for getting it going, now be stalwarts & get it done & make it happen. Now that St. Pete has something Tampa wants, we hear the real jealousy surfacing on the in-land side of the Bay rather than pulling together for the good of the entire Area. My advice to you, get use to it because artsy, classy St. Pete is hear to stay (whether you liking or not, just learn to live with it or leave)& we're just as much apart of the Bay Area as any other locale. The days where everything is convenient for Tampans & in their back yard is over. I'm proud of where I live & I'm not letting short sighted smucks (that're probably transplants) change that. I'm not going to post degrading comment about another community in the Bay Area, for personal satisfaction when I truly don't feel that way. I hope & wish all well in the 7-9 county bay area. We need more unity in the community. GO RAYS!

[D-Ray]

Where'd that post from the Frenchy come from? St. Pete needs this to happen. Finally, some real growth to make St. Pete a real city. Go Rays!! Go New Stadium!! Go Away Naysayers!!

[sally]

Jim, I hope you are not serious. And no it isn't WAY WICKED Cool at all. First issue is the money. Does it really make any sense to anyone that with taxes so high on homes and homeowners inusrance so high that this city cannot help taxpayers, but can finance a project to get their hands on the waterfront. Now we need parking whine whine. Look back since 2000 and see how many times the people have vetoed the waterfront development, one ballot going so far as to contain the word forever. Won't flying balls interfer with Albert Whitted Field? The voters have spoken and please voters out there remember the constant fight this has been for years with city officials totally against voter's wishes to develope the waterfront. Get out and vote no.

[kenneth ward stephens sr]

what i think The rays should stay were they are they got plent parking they can delevo around tropic no water front baseball park leave allang field alone it is landmark

[kenneth ward stephens sr]

what i think The rays should stay were they are they got plent parking they can delevo around tropic no water front baseball park leave allang field alone it is landmark

[someone]

if you leave in st. pete, fl this thing is a bad idea for many reasons. if anything they should of thought about making it to gandy where its more eazy for tampa, clearwater, st pete, largo people to make a trip out there.