Detours: a country in search of direction
On the eve of the election, a reporter and photographer set out for Washington, via America. We tell stories from seven towns, touching on seven issues from politics and real life.
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
Game show themes
These themes are probably going to make some of you have flashbacks to wasted mornings or afternoons spent sprawled in front of the TV.
ST. PETERSBURG — Mayor Rick Baker on Monday recommended the city negotiate possible deals with two of the three developers bidding to purchase Tropicana Field.
In a memo, Baker asked City Council members to authorize monthlong negotiations with Hines Interests and Archstone-Madison.
Council members would then choose a winner June 5, based on the result of those discussions.
The recommendation to move ahead with two developers removes some of the drama from this Thursday's council meeting, where members will be asked to approve the mayor's request. But by keeping two proposals alive, the city potentially can use one developer as leverage against the other.
Not recommended was a bid from Williams Quarter, a group of developers with local ties that proposed 4,000 units of rental housing and 1-million square feet of retail and office space.
City officials said in a report accompanying the mayor's recommendation that the Williams Quarter bid was "suburban."
The Hines and Archstone-Madison bids are similar, with each focusing on a mix of retail, residential and office space. The Archstone-Madison bid, however, contemplates a more intense development.
Made up of Washington, D.C., developers Archstone and Madison Marquette, the Archstone-Madison proposal would include an outdoor mall and entertainment complex similar in size to Tampa's International Plaza.
The proposal also includes 2,690 homes and a large office component.
Hines of Houston worked with the Tampa Bay Rays for months on a possible redevelopment plan for the 86-acre Tropicana site.
The Rays in turn have used the possible redevelopment of Tropicana Field to financially justify the construction of a $450-million waterfront ballpark.
The Hines plan includes 1,173 homes and 855,000 square feet of retail space, which would be anchored by an outdoor retailer like Bass Pro Shops or Cabela's.
Hines has offered $50-million for the downtown site; Archstone-Madison bid $65-million.
In the city's recommendation, officials said they intended to negotiate the purchase price with each developer.
Aaron Sharockman can be reached at asharockman@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2273.
[Last modified: Apr 30, 2008 08:57 PM]
Comments on this article
by Jim
Apr 30, 2008 8:57 PM
YES to the waterfront stadium! This will be a terrific improvement. To those who complain about the heat, why live in Florida? Feel free to leave. I'm thrilled to see baseball on the water! The owners are bright and have a strong vision.
by Justin Elza
Apr 30, 2008 3:07 PM
It’s similar to having a car salesman show up at your doorstep and try to haggle with you when you haven’t even decided if you want or can afford a car in the first place.
by Mamie
Apr 30, 2008 3:07 PM
How many people do you know who would walk 1 mile in the summer heat to attend a game in an un-air-conditioned stadium? 3/4 mile? 1/2 mile? Would you Mr. Mayor?????
by Ellen
Apr 30, 2008 2:53 PM
How can the mayor be negotiating for the Trop site before all options have been explored? What about building multi level parking at the Trop and developing the freed up space? It Seems the Mayor has decided what HE wants and the citizens be damned
by Danny
Apr 30, 2008 2:49 PM
Ever seen the traffic after a game? And that's with 4 ways to go near multiple on ramps. Just wait until games are on the water surrounded by one way streets mostly going the wrong way. St Pete loves their boondoggles. The mayor is a freak.
by Gary
Apr 29, 2008 3:32 PM
I believe this is a great way to move forward, We need to allow this to improve the neighborhood in that area. Those familes that lost "their land" should have stayed off the pipe in the first place.
by Paul
Apr 29, 2008 3:20 PM
As a 14 year resident who owns multiple properties in St Pete, I recommend we get a new mayor and council.
by Get Smart
Apr 29, 2008 3:15 PM
The Mayor counted the parking spaces at the new proposed downtown hotel. Everything is OK now. Build the stadium.
by Taxpayer Dave
Apr 29, 2008 3:14 PM
Mayor Baker, I know you are anxious to leave your enormous footprint stain on our city's waterfront, but how about letting us taxpayers vote on whether we want you to destroy it before you actually get started? At least ask us first before you s
by kitty
Apr 29, 2008 3:11 PM
Hmmm, from the descriptions of the projects, none of them sound like they're going to offer "affordable" (as in 2.5 times the average police officer's/teacher's annual salary) housing.
by Jimbo
Apr 29, 2008 3:08 PM
Good, because the Williams Quarter bid was a joke. Yeah, it had a lot of housing, but too much, and there's plenty that can be had elsewhere downtown. It needs a draw, and these others have it. Let's just hope either one sees light.
by Bulletinizer
Apr 29, 2008 3:03 PM
In these economic times - take the 65 million and run!
by native
Apr 29, 2008 2:54 PM
good news, another step in the right direction. soon the city will be allowed to vote for the redevelopment of the trop and a new crown jewel on the waterfront. YES for a waterfront stadium.
by Bob
Apr 29, 2008 2:53 PM
All this planning is for naught. Everyone I hear from are against spending money for this wasted venture. City council and the mayor are looking a little more foolish everyday.
by Chris
Apr 29, 2008 2:49 PM
Rick Baker lied to us, omitting his ongoing discussions with the Rays regarding a $450 Million stadium from the last Council elections.
by sam
Apr 29, 2008 10:19 AM
For the Black families who originally lost their land businesses homes jobs and savings to pipe dreams and promises of substantial prosperity by City StPete and developers, DeJaVu! Give Trop back to community who lost everything including education.
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