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Here's a perfectly good reason for the St. Petersburg City Council to vote today against holding a November election on a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays:
Because it's not the same deal that started all this.
Here was the deal when it first became public late last year:
(1) No new taxes.
(2) The public's share will come from selling and redeveloping Tropicana Field.
Here is the deal today:
(1) The taxpayers have to extend well into the future the annual payments they're making now.
(2) There's no connection, and no guarantee, between what happens at Tropicana Field and paying for the new stadium.
Mr. Bait, meet Mr. Switch.
Now, make no mistake. There also are good arguments for going ahead today and launching the referendum process.
Here is the first argument in favor of a "yes" vote: It merely keeps the city's options open, with the final decision in August. Besides, it's a safe vote — a St. Petersburg Times poll says 60 percent of the voters want a referendum.
Second argument: Even if the original terms have changed, this is still a good deal. So what if taxpayers have to extend their existing annual payment? We get a new stadium and all the other potential benefits.
Third argument: Forget this silly talk about "guarantees" at the Tropicana site. Without a doubt, we're talking about big-time developers who will generate many benefits (and tax revenue) for the city.
Good arguments!
But on the first point, about keeping options open, the same poll found that 68 percent of the voters are opposed to the stadium. The main reason they want an election is to make sure they get to kill it.
On the second and third points, I am stubborn.
The Rays said there would be no new taxes and that the Tropicana project would pay for it. So that's the deal I want.
In fact, just a few weeks ago, Rays money guru Michael Kalt told me this:
If we sell Tropicana Field and only half of the planned stuff gets built there, that would still generate enough taxes to pay for our share.
And I thought, that's great! I will take that deal. Just show me where it says that in the contract.
But that's the catch.
If you ask for any guarantee that the Tropicana project pays for the stadium, you get a big lecture about how "there are no guarantees" and that's not how the real world works and so forth.
And yet, there are guarantees in this life.
Here's one: If the taxpayers take on another 30 years or so of debt, then it is a lead-pipe guarantee they will have to pay it off.
Every day in this world, people sign contracts in which they make guarantees.
Except in St. Petersburg, apparently. Nope. The taxpayers here are supposed to go in debt, sell off a public asset, commit the waterfront, and just pretty-please cross their fingers that the Tropicana thing works out.
So, go ahead, call me a nitwit and a rube. Tell me that I do not understand How Business Works. Call me a small-town fool.
Just don't keep promising me pots of gold in tax revenue from Tropicana Field at the very same time that you're telling me you can't possibly guarantee it.
That deal from November? I'd vote today to pursue it.
This deal? No.
[Last modified: Jun 06, 2008 07:53 PM]
Comments on this article
by Edna
Jun 6, 2008 7:53 PM
Trey, I LOVE the Trop & have defended it for yrs BUT the Rays have said they need a new stadium & this will B AMAZING marketing 4 our city each time a game showcases our waterfront to the northeast media market, to name 1 great thing. Its green, 2.
by kitty
Jun 6, 2008 7:21 PM
Jon, if a public area is developed for private use, that area becomes off-limits to the public. As it is now, we CAN walk along the waterfront near Al Lang. That would change if this boondoggle is approved.
by kitty
Jun 6, 2008 7:18 PM
Rex, I'm a third-generation Floridian. My family and I were here LONG before the Trop or the rays. If new stadium proponents want us to leave, you need to come up with some serious coin. Otherwise, shut the hell up!
by Walter
Jun 6, 2008 4:47 PM
When are the tax-payers going to subsidize Progress Energy, Verizon, or the Malls (facilities that house many businesses) that do everyday employment of citizen-tax-payer?
by Walter
Jun 6, 2008 4:47 PM
When did a stadium become the positive or negative indicator of a good or bad city?
People, the Rays are a private business that the citizen-tax-payers should not be required to subsidize Rays business facility. GET REALITY!
by Walter
Jun 6, 2008 1:52 PM
When did a stadium become the positive or negative indicator of a good or bad city?
People, the Rays are a private business that the citizen-tax-payers should not be required to subsidize Rays business facility. When are the tax-payers going to s
by GOSTADIUM
Jun 6, 2008 1:52 PM
GEEZE PEOPLE: the paultry amount of taxes,extended or not,is SO SMALL that NO ONE needs to complain! Get OVER it!
by Trey
Jun 5, 2008 9:03 PM
Rick K -you're joking, right? "Wastes valuable energy?!" hahahaha! And just imagine all the "waste" that would be created if a brand new stadium was built? Let's start with a HUGE waste of city funds not to mention TAX DOLLARS! Nice try though!
by Rick K
Jun 5, 2008 6:55 PM
Trey @ 3:34 pm, the Trop ties up 86 acres of grossly underutilized prime downtown realty. It's indoors, obsolete for MLB, and wastes valuable energy on Air Conditioning. Plus, it doesn't really market the city's best assets.
by Trey
Jun 5, 2008 3:34 PM
Dear Mike 2:37 p.m.-I've been to Tropicana Field many times to watch games along with many other dedicated fans of the Devil Rays and we ARE asking - what is wrong with Tropicana Field? You're being mislead, my friend and it's by the short hairs.
by James
Jun 5, 2008 3:15 PM
Why should Rays fans across the Bay Area who didn't have a vote in building that dump we call "The Trop" have thier team affected by the idiots who did and who have since pushed the residents of St. Pete into thier current state of cynicism? Vote Yes
by Craig
Jun 5, 2008 2:37 PM
At least management is investing money in the team. They are trying to put together a winning team. Look at the Bucs who have not attempted to improve their team and hired a rapist. Yet people will go across the bridge and sit in the heat and watch.
by Edna
Jun 5, 2008 2:37 PM
After much thought, study & consideration & being on the fence, I really come down on the side of building this new stadium, & at least of putting it on the ballot so voters can decide. This will be great for our city IF a smart traffic plan is made.
by Craig
Jun 5, 2008 2:37 PM
Technically a continuation of tax is not a new tax. If we want to compete with other major cities, then we need a new stadium. We have new owners and they are not the ones that built the Trop.
by Mike
Jun 5, 2008 2:37 PM
90% of the people who ask "What is wrong with the Trop?" Have either never been to the Trop or never been to a real baseball game played outdoors. There is no comparison. Baseball was not meant to be played indoors.
by cornelius
Jun 5, 2008 1:40 PM
I would like to know how much these multmillionaires pay the staff that do all the dirty work around the stadium. Are they at minimum wage or a living wage. If this is to be an economic expansion how much will the workers get paid in the new stadium?
by Nancy
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Thank you, Mr. Troxler, for elucidating the issue clearly and concisely. Well done!
by Scot
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Ok here is my great suggestion,stay at thr Trop and some how do something with the roof to make it retractable on nice weather days,that's my suggestion for the day. GO RAYS!!!
by Brendan
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Good article.
by Rex
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
You're a small town fool. You also tend to write with with a negative tone, and a fair amount of cynicism.
Your act is geting old. Don't like it and don't want the voters to decide? Take your red sign and move.
by Mandy
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Bravo, Howard, Bravo. If only our Council members had the guts you do.
by kevin
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
this makes me sad
by Pat
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Keep at em Trox!!!!!!!!!
by k
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Please vote No!
by Joseph
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Thank you for making it plain. Rich folks have more than enough money to build there own stadium. When are we ever gonna learn? I love it when wealthy folks cry poor. I hope you folks in St. Pete do the correct thing and make them pay there own way!
by Ginger
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
As a season ticket holder,I'a fan but I still don't see why we need a new stadium. The Trop is air-conditioned and it's HOT here in baseball season. I don't want to go and sweat outside.
by Mike
Jun 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Maybe for all the people that want the new stadium 1- ask how many Rays games they have attended, and 2- have them commit to Season Tickets. Maybe that income can help the Rays out without putting the burden on the other tax payers.
by CharlieRay
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
I can't see any parking lot to park in? I keep looking for the air conditioners & can't find them? All I can see is a leaky Hot tent with heat, moisture, pollen, love bugs, mosquitos, lots of sea gulls, lighting & long lines & walk for a shuttle bus
by corneliuss
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
Sternberg and Associates are playing games with the un-informed when it comes to what a great deal this is for the county. Why just does he not do it all with private equity if its such a great deal? His ego says we have to stick it to the taxpayers.
by cornelius
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
Sternberg knows how difficult it is for developers to raise capital. So how are these so called top notch developers going to get the funds. We have seen many hurrahs fail in Real Estate recently touted by so called experts,professional. Its a NO NO!
by MARE
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
WHY DOES THE COMMISIONER BELIEVE THE RAY'S NEED A NEW STADIUM WHEN THEY RARELY FILL IT? LOOK AT THE RED SOX IN THEIR OLD STADIUM AND IT IS always FILLED. WHAT DOES THAT SAY?
by Jon
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
The only way to find out what the deal is.. is a "yes" vote today. I don't want some weathy condo owners keeping me out of downtown by stopping development of public areas for there own good.
by A1
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
The city needs to negotiate a good deal with guarantees in writing if they want my vote in the fall. Also, the Trop redevelopment should include a large parking deck linked to the Looper today that will accomodate a light rail station in the future.
by JEFF
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
Amen!
Every other city contract has guarentees written into it. This one should too.
Hey, Rays ownership, come back when you actually have something to vote on, like a proposal with the financial details & a verifiable parking plan.
by Mike
Jun 5, 2008 10:42 AM
Don't forget, City Council, we the voters want a referendum in November. Vote 'no' at your own peril.
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