Anti-stadium rhetoric gains momentum

Add two voices to the anti-stadium side.

The boards of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the Suncoast Group of the Sierra Club have voted to oppose the proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium at Al Lang Field.

"Our decision was based in part on a number of unresolved issues including, but not limited to, the appropriateness of a structure of this size in this location given the goals stated in our Comprehensive Plan; traffic and parking issues that could further exacerbate our temporary parking lot concerns; potential infrastructure impact; funding and financial challenges; environmental impact; as well as more general quality of life concerns," wrote Marilyn Olsen, president of the downtown group, in an e-mail.

The Sierra Club also issued a statement.

"Our public waterfront is a finite resource that cannot be replaced. Led by William Straub, our city’s forefathers in the early 1900s had the foresight to create the country’s largest public waterfront,” it read. “Now, nearly 100 years later, is not the time to dismantle that vision."   

- Cristina Silva, Times staff writer

Comments

[JM]

Instead of a stadium let's cut back on politicians and hire more firemen,police officers and teachers and pay them a good salary.And maybe we should fix the loophole in the law for retirees who are collecting pensions and getting paid.That alone will SAVE US 300 MILLION.

[Jan]

If the Rays want a stadium, they should pay for it themselves. If tickets purchased by baseball fans won't support such a project, then it is should not be built. In an era of declining tax revenues and slashed municipal budgets, there are many other more deserving projects that are crying out for taxpayer support. Many studies have shown that taxpayer-funded stadiums do not pay for themselves in benefits to the local populace.

No matter who pays for the stadium, it does NOT belong on St. Petersburg's waterfront. There is not enough room, there is not enough parking, and the thing would be a behemoth that would obstruct the view of Tampa Bay and interfere with the public's enjoyment of the waterfront.

[open-minded downtowner]

This small group of people pretending to act like they were elected to City Council does not represent all views of downtown residents. They are punishing the Rays for what they feel was a lie to them by the Mayor and City Council. If this City is not ready to have a dialogue about a new stadium, then it is not committed to having Major League Baseball in this town. So, let's just let the team out of the lease so it can go somewhere where it will be appreciated. This conversation has been nothing but ugly and I feel bad for a team management that has vision paying for the sins of others. There's been a complete abandonment of leadership in this town. The Mayor and City Council have thrown the Rays to the same small minds that oppose anything and everything.

Good move on the stadium issue. Now, let's put a particle accelerator in the location.

[Orville & Wilber]

We like open-minded downtowner's approach. And, to the anonymous person who followed him: how about a PARK... or leave Al Lang and make it a public facility? Let kids play where the greats have played.

[get-smart]

There are three ways to increase the value of a baseball team.
1- Have a winning team.
2- Get a new stadium.
3- Both of the above.

Having a winning team is to difficult for the owners.
Conning and bribing the city in to a new stadium is more suited for these New York types.
Cut the Rays. We can redeveloper the Trop ourselves.

[guy wendell]

Downtowner - I really like your idea of letting the Rays go. Since they announced (without permission of the Council) that they were going to have free parking for the fans (great for the fans, good PR for the Rays, bad for the city coffers) the Rays have cost us $300-400 thousand each year mostly in police and clean up. Research over 3 decades has shown that no team brings any economic benefit to a city (just google it, you'll get hundred of hits. The Rays are costing us money and not giving us anything. Why should we give them a stadium so the can continue to fleece us.

I work two jobs so that I can afford a nice home for my kids. About the only fun we have is playing in the waterfront parks on weekends. Those belong to us, not the Rays. I don't want any more budget cuts in vital services to fund a stadim for a private corporation on public land.

[Jon Corey]

Why not send the RAYS over to Tampa to learn how to play baseball from the beloved Yankees!

My husband overheard on an AM sports radio station (620 MAYBE) AN ANNOUNCEMENT yesterday that IF the RFP's didn't bring in the numbers, the Rays would rethink OR DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY REALLY NEED A NEW STADIUM. This says to me that they really NEVER needed a new stadium in the first place, and have put this city through hell the last few months for something that they NOW will finally decide if they REALLY need!!
That's insulting!......it's not the poor player's fault, I feel badly for them as well... but it IS the fault of the greedy and slimy Sternberg Crew......and our negligent "now gone missing" mayor and witless city council.
I'm about ready to see the back door shut on the whole gang, and good riddance!
AS HOWARD TROXLER SAID MONTHS AGO.......DO OVER!!!