Business group supports new Rays stadium vote

ST. PETERSBURG -- Supporters of a new downtown waterfront baseball stadium have assembled a petition signed by 100 business owners asking for a referendum on the Rays' plans.

The group Fans for Waterfront Stadium sent a notice that it will present the petition to the City Council at a meeting tonight. The City Council is holding one of several public meetings to discuss the proposed new $450-million stadium and redevelopment of Tropicana Field, which would help fund the new ballpark.

"Waterfront baseball will draw more than 2-million visitors a year to our downtown, many coming in the summer, which is a traditionally slow time for tourists in St. Petersburg," said Alan Lucas, owner of Moon Under Water, a Beach Drive restaurant.

The pro-stadium group says not just restaurants and hotels support the plans, but businesses "from all corners of St Petersburg," including law firms, medical groups, accountants, service providers, retailers, commercial property owners, contractors and real estate agents. The group says the proposal will create more than 10,000 new jobs and add 1,000 new downtown residents.

The group mentions television coverage of the recently completed Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, pointing out that baseball fans would see downtown St. Petersburg on TV during each of 81 home games. They also suggest a new stadium might bring baseball's All-Star Game to the city.

The City Council will meet at 6 tonight in council chambers, 175 Fifth St. N.

-- Paul Swider, Times staff writer