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Column
Just a few questions for the city tonight
By HOWARD TROXLER, Times Columnist
Published January 9, 2008
If the city of St. Petersburg builds a $450-million waterfront baseball stadium, what should happen at the old Tropicana Field site? That's a question the city and the Tampa Bay Rays will put to the public at an open meeting this evening, starting at 6 p.m. at the Trop. (You're still welcome even if you missed the RSVP deadline.) In theory, tonight's meeting is about the future of the Tropicana site, not whether to build the new stadium. And to be sure, the conceptual drawings for redeveloping the site are beautiful - it could be something really special. Yet as citizens and taxpayers, before we go along, maybe we should politely insist tonight on asking a few questions: 1. Why can't we talk about the new stadium tonight, as the ground rules specify? After all, whatever we do with the Trop is supposed to pay for the stadium. And we won't be redeveloping the Tropicana site unless we build the stadium. Right? 2. When are we going to talk about the numbers? Somehow, this Tropicana redevelopment is supposed to generate - what? $270-million? $300-million? Doesn't that dictate the range of practical uses to talk about? 3. When do we talk about the protections for taxpayers? Can we talk about what to do with Tropicana Field without knowing what happens if the deal goes bad? 4. What about quality? What happens if the only ideas that work financially for the Tropicana site are something big and ugly? 5. Is this moving too fast? We're holding a public meeting tonight, then a single City Council meeting on Jan. 17, and then the request for developers is supposed to go out the door. Whew!
[Last modified January 9, 2008, 00:59:48]
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by It's Our Money
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01/11/08 12:03 PM
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The idea that if a few speak out about the proposal, pro or con, and the majority remains silent means a mandate to move forward is ridiculous. The issue of spending this amount of money needs authorization from all of the community -- referendum.
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by Bland
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01/09/08 11:58 AM
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Howard. Appears the Times pulled today's column off the front page of the web site. Perhaps the comments were not in keeping with what the editorial staff wanted to read? I am always curious when this happens.
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by Jan
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01/09/08 11:57 AM
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Any time those who represent me in government want to rush a project along and shortcut the public review process, the hair on the back of my neck stands up and I reflexively grab my wallet for safekeeping.
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by Frank
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01/09/08 09:23 AM
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Good questions Howard .If I were the owner I would be looking for a more attractive business environment . St. Pete. does not need nor deserve this as an income producer ;there is not enough intellect in the city to pull this off .
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by HCB
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01/09/08 07:28 AM
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St Pete loves to be conned. Remember the cruise ship in the early 80's. Tropicana field followed soon after. Then another cruise ship proposal. And now a new ballfield. Always it's good, always it's in a hurry, always it costs the city.
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by george
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01/09/08 06:09 AM
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Who , in their right mind wants to see an outdoor baseball game in July and August in Florida??? Have the planners even thought about this or is it "how can we get our hands on more taxpayer money". If you build it they will not come!!
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