Stadium debate grows hostile - St. Petersburg Times

ST. PETERSBURG — Round 2 of the public stadium debate was slightly more hostile, with threats of lawsuits and a public recall, but it failed to clarify the fate of the $450-million plan for the Tampa Bay Rays to move to Al Lang Field.

After nearly four hours of public testimony, only one obvious theme emerged: This debate, however it ends, will be messy.

The final tally, according to several unofficial counts: About 120 in favor of the new stadium, and 95 against.

"The people have spoken," said Rays senior vice president Michael Kalt, mocking a similar comment made by a stadium opponent after the February public hearing. "The people have spoken and there is clear momentum on our side. And it's building."

The meeting was not without theatrics. St. Pete Preserve Our Wallets and Waterfront member Steve Lange suggested that if the city continues pursuing the stadium, elected leaders could face a potential lawsuit or recall campaign. Another speaker publicly chastised Mayor Rick Baker for not attending the first public forum in February.

"What is wrong with Tropicana Field?" asked resident Lee Nolan. "How about the sorriest team in all of professional sports. ... These New York City carpetbaggers are setting a new standard for greed."

"I want the chance to vote on this tremendous opportunity for our city," said downtown resident Gary Grooms.

"The situation demands a referendum," added former council member Jay Lasita, who is working with one of the bidders to redevelop Tropicana Field. "You should never fear what the outcome of the vote is going to be. They are the ones that pay the bills."

On Thursday, one prominent neighborhood group game out against the stadium proposal while a group of more than 100 business owners said they supported the plan.

The city's Council of Neighborhood Organizations issued a 12-page report recommending against a November referendum to approve or reject a new waterfront stadium for the Rays.

The neighborhood group said the city has failed to explore other potential stadium locations, and that the Rays' $450-million financing plan appears flawed.

"We are objecting to the building of the stadium on Al Lang Field," said Will Michaels, chairman of CONA's Historic Resources and Land Development Committee. "But we're not saying at some future point that a referendum shouldn't be held."

Michaels said that the group believes that there could be potentially better offers to redevelop the 86-acre Tropicana Field site. He said he had not heard of any, however.

Meanwhile, pro-stadium group Fans For Waterfront Stadium, submitted a petition of 115 business owners supporting the stadium and redevelopment proposal and a potential November referendum.

The petition includes business owners from all corners of the city, said Tracey Locke with Fans For Waterfront Stadium.

Opponents Thursday drilled council members on the Rays' timetable. Speakers walked a careful line saying they want citizens to vote on the stadium proposal, but not in November. One person suggested holding a referendum in November 2009, opposite a mayoral election.

Opponents say too many questions remain to go forward. They listed several outstanding issues Thursday — from the cost of the project, to the parking and traffic plan, to concerns for the environment.

City staff is expected to make a recommendation whether or not to begin negotiations on a possible Tropicana redevelopment April 23. The council is scheduled to vote on the staff's recommendation May 1.

If the proposal moves forward, a first of three votes needed to schedule a referendum would occur June 5. The last would come Aug. 7. A "no" vote on any of the three public votes would stop the process before a referendum.

Comments on this article

by Frank	Apr 14, 2008 1:47 PM
People who are in favor: would you also be in favor if the proposed stadium were in YOUR neighborhood?

by Tammy	Apr 14, 2008 12:05 PM
We just went to an outdoor Clearwater Thresher game complete with a burm for the kids to play and run around. There was also a fireworks show afterward. Tropicana field cannot provide the outdoor feel of a baseball game. Build a new stadium.

by j	Apr 13, 2008 11:57 AM
A new stadium on land that has been used for baseball for decades is a great fit. What a boost to our downtown and great for our skyline. Quit the knee-jerk negative reactions! Parking can be handled, most games are on weeknites when downtown us

by mike	Apr 13, 2008 11:54 AM
I love how these people who think it is "their waterfront" also think they are the only ones intelligent enough to vote. Opponents are using every trick in the book to keep this off the referendum because they know they are the minority.

by Lin	Apr 13, 2008 11:54 AM
I saw the council meeting. The class and respect the supporters was superior to the threats and defamation that Beach Drive showed

by mikey	Apr 12, 2008 12:10 PM
remember how the "central" district was to prosper from the stadium! crazy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Wake UP St. Pete, this is for the special interest groups only, not us Real citizens!!

by Ron	Apr 12, 2008 12:10 PM
We are going to get stuck with major $ if this passes. The highest bid on the Dome project was $60 mil. $240 short of what is needed! Where will THAT come from then? You guessed it! Us! There's NOTHING wrong with the dome. It looks great so keep

by James	Apr 12, 2008 12:10 PM
If it was economically feasable, private businesses would be fighting amongst themselves to build it. It isn't and they aren't. The symbolism of a bunch of rednecks under a big white sheet is hilarious though. 10pm,dark,car parked a mile aw

by Kyle	Apr 12, 2008 12:09 PM
Meg- you are wrong. Seattle is a winner and has been. If the Rays win, the Trop fills up. The Rays have to get this going now because they will be good soon and the Trop will fill. People invest in winners not losers. They are decade long l

by Wolf	Apr 12, 2008 12:09 PM
Vote or no vote, it's gonna happen anyway - too much money and greed at stake. I'm sure that St. Pete officials already have their bribe $$$ spent. Anything bad for Florida is going to happen to Florida. It is a raped State - and

by Bill	Apr 12, 2008 12:09 PM
Parking is not an issue at all. Absolutely no "gridlock" at the Grand Prix, there won't be for baseball either.

by Warren	Apr 12, 2008 12:09 PM
The tide has totally turned. I'm so glad to see support for this wonderful project. The entire city of St. Pete will benefit

by Dr_Dug	Apr 12, 2008 12:09 PM
The people have not spoken. We merely didn't want to show up to your stupid meeting. Put this thing on any ballot and watch how fast your idea dies!

by John	Apr 11, 2008 4:36 PM
Where were all of you complainers when the vote on Albert Whitted was being held? The city, taxpayers, lose $200k a year on that playpen for the rich.

by RALPH	Apr 11, 2008 4:16 PM
There is nothing wrong with the dome. I personally enjoy going to a game in the air conditioned stadium. I can tell you I will not go sit in the hot sun for several hours to watch them play. One less to show up at the games!!!!

by Meg	Apr 11, 2008 4:10 PM
The fans and non-fans will go to the games at a beautiful baseball stadium. Doesn't even matter how good the team is. Look to other cities and you will see this is true (Seattle for ex). This could be the best thing to happen t

by christina	Apr 11, 2008 2:01 PM
Why spend limited budget on far fetched ideas instead of working with what we have? If the Trop isn't good enough then the new stadium never will be. We should focus on the Mahaffey: it's events attract a wide range of people that would bri

by kenneth ward stephens sr	Apr 11, 2008 1:57 PM
I live down town st.petersburg fla i Live down street from dome i won,t save our Dome st.petersbueg spent 20millions dollars on it they can redis it make the roof slit open when nice weather and it is raing close it a/c is nice in summmer it

by John	Apr 11, 2008 1:55 PM
The city is complicite in this whole effort otherwise it would not have gotten this far. They know that getting it on the ballot will make the deal happen with the Rays money getting out the vote. The same thing happened with Albert Whited field.

by L	Apr 11, 2008 1:50 PM
All of these blue haired snowbirds need to get a life! A new stadium would be a tremendous boost to the area and team...Get it done!!

by Jon	Apr 11, 2008 1:43 PM
We're talking about building a stadium where a VACANT stadium currently exits. It will be such a wonderful enchancement to the community. The Rays owners have a brilliant idea and as a resident of a downtown neighborhood, I openly embrace this.

by Jackie	Apr 11, 2008 1:42 PM
People are sick of the same anti-growth forces stalling progress in this city. That is why stadium supporters showed up in force last night. Voting in 2008 will ensure maximum patricipation b/c its a pres election.

by Bland	Apr 11, 2008 1:38 PM
The entire Council, Mayor, and Rays have exhibited blatant disregard to the wishes of the Citizens. Such an exhibit of arrogance should be rewarded with a recall vote, now.

by Rays Mike	Apr 11, 2008 1:37 PM
"New York Carpetbaggers?" Keep your thinly veiled anti-Semitic rhetoric to yourselves, Rednecks...

by kitty	Apr 11, 2008 1:37 PM
There was a compelling article entitled "Sportswriters Swoon Over DC Ballpark" in the March 31 online edition of The Nation. It's still there if anyone wants to look at it. It should be required reading for ALL St. Pete city officials.

by Gilbert	Apr 11, 2008 1:36 PM
Replace the Trop? For who? The DRays have NO nostalgia, like Yankee or Coors Field. The DRays have yet to be remotely winners! We would be throwing Good money after Bad money! Let the DRays pay for it, when they earn it (wins) come back and

by kitty	Apr 11, 2008 1:35 PM
Phred, an even better idea would be to put it on the next election's ballot as a referendum item. That way, out of towners such as Mr. Kalt and his paid lobby would be exempt from voting the issue.

by MyTownToo	Apr 11, 2008 1:31 PM
The tax dollars generated by this exciting project will benefit all citizens of St. Pete. Once you put the ignorant and emotional rhetoric aside, you find the facts support the stadium idea. Think for yourself, do your own research.

by Phred	Apr 11, 2008 9:14 AM
120 in favor, 95 against. So what? If the SP city council is just going to sit there and count heads, SP taxpayers should fire them all. Instead, use interactive cable or a Web site to take "votes" from the public.

by MyTown	Apr 11, 2008 9:14 AM
Who does Kalt think he is to mock our citizens. Arrogant jerk!

by citizen	Apr 11, 2008 9:14 AM
Nolan's right-this is the most horrendous greed mongering in all of baseball. Kalt's Yankees stadium project is over budget by many millions-payable by the tax payers. Now he wants our money, too?? No !

by Bad Idea	Apr 11, 2008 9:13 AM
I bet most of these businesses aren't from the downtown area. I doubt very much that baseball fans will be helping downtown restaurants. Baseball fans pay for chain food at the game while the rest of us can't park or use OUR downtown as the

by ugh	Apr 11, 2008 9:13 AM
Everything about this has been shady since day 1. St Pete is great because it keeps its waterfronts open to the people. Not everyone likes baseball, and this takes one of our best areas and gives it to out of town people. We pay too much for that.

by RE	Apr 11, 2008 9:13 AM
Use the monies first to solve our homeless problems, THEN worry about these overpaid jocks that laughingly call themselves a proffesional team!

by RE	Apr 11, 2008 9:13 AM
I would end all this by telling the Rays if the Trop is not good enough for them to pack their bags and go elsewhere. The plan to move to Al Lang is so ridiculous, given the limited parking and facilities that exist there. (continued)