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Support for sports complex now 4-3

Commissioner Mark Sharpe rescinds his support for the proposed amateur arena, saying the money is needed for other projects.

By BILL VARIAN
Published October 6, 2005

TAMPA - Hillsborough Commissioner Mark Sharpe withdrew his support for a $40-million amateur sports complex in the east county Wednesday and promptly drew sharp criticism from the project's primary backer.

Sharpe previously supported a feasibility study to determine whether the project could make money for the county, as commission Chairman Jim Norman contends.

Sharpe said he has doubts and would rather pull back now than later.

"There's a strong possibility, with the information we have today, that this may never pay itself back," Sharpe said.

He said he'd rather see the money spent on more urgent community needs such as fixing flooding problems, improving fire stations, greenways and trails.

Sharpe voted with a 5-2 majority of commissioners two weeks ago to conduct a feasibility study on Norman's sports complex proposal, which would be funded by the community investment tax. His reversal Wednesday did not prevent the proposal from going forward, but it riled Norman.

Norman questioned Sharpe's sudden interest in the details of the proposed sports complex.

He also took umbrage with Sharpe's suggestion that the county has not spent enough money on greenways or equipping fire stations, taking credit for increases in firefighting spending in particular.

"To say these statements, that we're not funding our firefighters, is outrageous," Norman said.

Norman said his proposal for an amateur sports complex near Plant City is one of the first times the county has looked at an idea that has the possibility of making money.

He wants to build a combination football and soccer stadium, a baseball field and stands, as well as other fields that could be used for youth league games and other events.

The county would charge rent and make money off advertising, he has said. Norman challenged Sharpe to say how much money his proposed $15-million in greenway spending would make the county.

"What's the return on investment?" he asked, cutting off Sharpe as he tried to respond. "Nothing."

The exchange came as commissioners discussed how to spend $40.6-million from the county's half-cent sales tax from 2008-2014. Sharpe was hoping to increase the pool to $80-million by eliminating Norman's proposed sports complex.

In the end, he got $5-million for greenways from the original $40.6-million.

Commissioners also agreed to set aside $25-million for transportation, including $2.7-million for work on 40th Street and $7.4-million to improve roadway safety near schools.

They also pledged $4-million to Lowry Park Zoo for new exhibits; $547,000 to link a Town "N' Country recreational trail with the Upper Tampa Bay Trail; and $450,000 to upgrade the generator at the University of South Florida, which the county uses as an evacuation shelter.

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:13:15]