Southpinellas: Tampa Bay Rays stadium: Crowd will divide by colors when debating

ST. PETERSBURG - They've polished their speeches. They'll be divided by ideology, and by the color of their wardrobe.

After almost three months of talk from politicians and baseball executives, it's their turn at the microphone. Tonight, residents will get an unfiltered opportunity to discuss the Tampa Bay Rays' $1-billion stadium and redevelopment proposal.

Fashion statements:Opponents will wear red; fans will be in white. (No preferred dress for the undecided.)

Come early, stay late:The hearing starts at 6:30 p.m., but people can sign up to speak starting at 3 p.m. The city is braced for 250 speakers. At three minutes each, that would be 121/2 hours.

Why sign in?:It determines the order of speakers. Both sides hope to dominate early talks, when TV cameras will most likely be there.

Hot ticket:The first 100 or so people will be seated in the council chamber. The rest in other City Hall meeting rooms or possibly a nearby Methodist church.

But I can't miss American Idol:There will be two more chances to address the council: April 10 and May 22.

On TV: Knology, Channel 15; Bright House Networks, Channel 615; broadcast, Channel 35.

The St. Petersburg Times will provide live updates starting at 3 p.m. at blogs.tampabay.com/rays.

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Comments on this article

by Steve	03/08/08 04:45 PM
The Rays are paying for their support. Trucking in union workers! Giving away free tee shirts. Hiring a very expensive hired gun from New York to pitch their pitch! Ads in national trade magazines! They think money talks! Wait till we vote!!!!!!!!

by Gary	02/21/08 04:38 PM
I've been reading all the comments. Sorry to say this, but the ignorance and snotty attitudes expressed by both sides is appalling. To each of you, please: Learn all the facts, weigh all the pros and cons, leave your emotions home, then decide!!!

by pigbroker	02/21/08 04:05 PM
The same cheap yankee yahoos who voted for Amendment #1 will be against the stadium. Go home and root for your real team in their new stadium, so we can build ours. The Dome is a joke, always will be. It will look better as a parking garage.

by Kevin	02/21/08 02:10 PM
Build it! It's gorgeous!

by Gadfly	02/21/08 01:29 PM
Say no to the redevelopment scheme by the New York fashion club of millionaires and marketing gurus. Downtown is just fine the way it is. In case you have not noticed, downtown is already revitalized. There is no need for a stadium to do this.

by Sean	02/21/08 01:09 PM
Since we would have to fork over some of the dough for the ballfield, does that mean we won't have to pay for ticktes?

by Jake	02/21/08 12:56 PM
As a complete unbiased outsider who will not be affected by this at all I wonder if a vote of Tampe Bay Rays fans should be taken before any more time is spent discussing a new stadium. How many true fans are there? how many more would there be?

by Matt	02/21/08 12:39 PM
The politicians say there will be no tax money used. Bulls**t: Politicians, and developers are by their very nature LIARS!!! We got sold a bill of goods with the Trop, and here we go again. Vote No, Hell No.

by Kenwood Ken	02/21/08 11:52 AM
Let's see, Bob makes a comment on taxpayers getting stuck with 1 billion and then there are several very similar responses using almost the same language. Smells like the Rays have their interns doing so damage control on the web. Busted!!

by Amy	02/21/08 10:37 AM
NO NO NO NO

by Rodger	02/21/08 10:00 AM
Why cant major league baseball fund the stadium? your talking about the worst team in proffesional ball, stay in the dome or please move so the we can get over the area's biggest mistake ever.

by Paul	02/21/08 09:47 AM
Hey Bob, go back to Burlington! Go new stadium!

by Rays Mike	02/21/08 09:46 AM
Please explain "1 billion in taxpayer backed expenses". If the Rays cannot get a sufficient bid to redevelop the Dome area, there will be no new stadium built. The Rays have even withddrawn their request for $40 mill in state aid. Learn the facts!

by voter	02/21/08 09:08 AM
Stu can redevelop the Trop with his $ only and leave our waterfront alone. If Stu doesn't like that, Stu can take his little team and his big attitude and leave town after he pays off his lease and we can redevelop the Trop site without baseball.

by Paul	02/21/08 09:00 AM
Actually, the colors should be flipped. The people supporting this sham of a deal should wear red, so they match the red faced liars we have on City Council. I can't wait to vote on this, and vote NO. Like I say, vote early and vote often.

by Ken	02/21/08 08:24 AM
Burlington Bob: There is no new dome planned, but an open-air ballpark, and the majority of the $1 billion will come from private sources, NOT the taxpayers. Maybe you and your friends should try to get informed BEFORE you vote. Just an idea

by Paul	02/21/08 08:22 AM
The Rays should shutup and play baseball. Downtown IS thriving thanks to organic growth, not destruction of our waterfront by uber wealthy sports team owners. This is going to get voted down so hard, the Rays will look like the jackkasses they are.

by Huh? Bob	02/21/08 08:21 AM
Where does it say anything about 1 billion in taxpayer backed expenses???? Get a clue before you open your mouth

by SD	02/21/08 07:52 AM
Hey Bob - who is asking for a Billion in taxpayer expenses. They are going to sell and redevelop the existing site and apply the funds to the new stadium. Rays are kicking in $150M and using existing taxes - not new ones!

by Burlington Bob	02/21/08 06:35 AM
It's ridiculous to tear down the dome, and incur 1 billion in taxpayer backed expenses. I can't wait to vote on this referendum. When the topic comes up, no one I know likes the new dome idea.

Tampa Bay Rays stadium: Crowd will divide by colors when debating

It will be red vs. white in tonight's hearing