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City seeks developer ideas
By AARON SHAROCKMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 18, 2008
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This is one developer's vision for the Tropicana Field site looking west along Third Avenue S.
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[Tampa Bay Rays]
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ST. PETERSBURG - The City Council on Thursday agreed 7-1 to ask developers for proposals to purchase and redevelop Tropicana Field and its adjacent parking lots. The vote is the first official step toward a possible November referendum on the Tampa Bay Rays' broader $1-billion stadium and redevelopment plan. But many hurdles and much doubt about the plan remains. What does Thursday's vote mean? The city today will issue a nationwide request for proposals for the 86-acre Tropicana site. The request includes two key caveats: The city does not have to accept any proposal for the site, and any proposal it does accept can move forward only if voters approve plans for a new Rays' stadium at Al Lang Field. Who voted no? And why? Council member Herb Polson was the lone member to object. In comments to his colleagues, he said development negotiations were moving too fast. "We often hear haste makes waste," Polson said. "When you proceed at something at lightning speed, you make errors." Why didn't the council take longer? The city says its attempting to stick to the Rays' suggested timetable, which calls for a November referendum. Mayor Rick Baker said he preferred to have more time after developer proposals have been submitted than before. For the Rays, why November? The team says the cost of a new stadium, $450-million, is based on the notion of breaking ground in early 2009. Also, the team says a November election in a presidential year will draw the most possible voters. What did the other council members have to say? No one committed to support the project Thursday. "To support the (request for proposals) is to support it for the gathering of information," said council member Jim Kennedy, articulating the popular view among his colleagues. What can developers consider putting in place of Tropicana Field? The city is leaving that up to them. There are certain elements, however, the city would like to see. Tops on the city's list: Parkland, affordable housing, a transportation hub and unique retail options. Is the city obligated to award the bid to the developer willing to pay the most? No, says senior economic development administrator Rick Mussett. The city will be able to evaluate the proposals based on price and design. It also will be able to negotiate details with whatever developer it selects, if it decides to select one at all. When are the responses due from developers? Proposal are due in 60 days, on March 18. When can the public comment on the process? The city scheduled three public hearings on the Rays' stadium and redevelopment proposal - Feb. 21, April 10 and May 22. All three sessions begin at 6 p.m.
[Last modified January 17, 2008, 23:58:03]
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Comments on this article
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by Gadfly
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03/08/08 04:51 PM
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The process stinks. The RFP process is tainted. The Rays are trying to buy their way into a down town stadium. The folks supporting the Rays are going about it all wrong. I have met half a dozen folks who want a down town stadium & hundreds opposed.
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by Dorian
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01/29/08 10:18 PM
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What is the actual cost to tax payers, if any, from the council issuing an RFP? I know I'm biased as a serious baseball fan, but people should consider that perhaps a new stadium really could benefit the citizens of St. Pete in the future.
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by Kathleen
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01/21/08 08:31 AM
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This City Council is wasting taxpayers money to do the Rays' research. Before sending out the RFP the Council should have known whether the citizens of Pinellas County want any more of their tax dollars to go to wealthy corporations.
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by J.M.
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01/18/08 07:23 PM
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Guess you don't want anyone to know who owns thr Trop. The city can't sell what they don't own.
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by Holly
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01/18/08 01:03 PM
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This is "pie in the sky" crap! We have bigger things to worry about, not how to make big business dreams come true! It's nonsense.
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by texxs
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01/18/08 09:21 AM
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What the heck? There is absolutely no need or room for a new stadium! The rays can't sell out the one they have.
If you walk around that neighborhood and see the homeless (some of them are families w/ kids for God's sake), it's clear we shouldn't.
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by JM
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01/18/08 09:01 AM
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Here we are worried about losing police and fire services because of tax cuts,but we can think of building a new stadium.What a joke.Let the players and owners take a pay cut to pay for it.
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by Bill
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01/18/08 07:53 AM
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No government money should be spent on any US sports facility until the teams pay their fair share and have skin in the game.Taxpayers are fed up!
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by Maurice
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01/18/08 03:54 AM
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When did the voters approve the Rays too move too Al Lang Field?
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