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Stadium Cost May Be Curveball

PETER MASA / News Channel 8

Replacing Al Lang Field with a stadium like that in San Francisco could be aesthetically appealing to fans weary of the Rays' domed home.

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By MARC LANCASTER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2007

WFLA Video Report
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Map: Al Lang Field

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ST. PETERSBURG - City Council members who were briefed on the Tampa Bay Rays' proposed waterfront ballpark Monday liked what they saw, for the most part.

However, the main question emerging from the meetings at Tropicana Field is one whose answer likely will determine the fate of the project: Exactly how much is the $450 million stadium going to cost taxpayers?

"That's what's going to make or break this entire deal," council chairman James Bennett said Monday. "If the money part doesn't add up, voters are just going to throw their hands up. In this climate right now, people are watching very closely."

After a morning meeting with Rays officials at Tropicana Field, Bennett said he expects the team to take its case to the public within the next two weeks by unveiling the renderings that helped sway his personal impressions of the project.

He also predicted that a referendum to approve the use of the downtown plot of land centered on the current Al Lang Field site for a new Rays stadium would appear on the ballot next November.

As the plan stands, the team would not ask the city for any additional funding; the referendum would cover only the use of the land.

The city charter requires voter approval to use waterfront property for anything other than parkland, and Bennett said he thinks getting the plans in front of the public will only help the Rays' case.

The team envisions an open-air stadium seating about 35,000 with a retractable awning to protect fans against sun and rain.

The right-field fence would be parallel to the water, and long home runs would have a chance to get wet.

Waterfront ballparks in San Francisco, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have a similar feature, though it sounds as if the Rays' designs are modeled most closely on the Giants' AT&T Park.

Bennett described the ballpark design as "nautical-themed," saying team officials pitched the idea that the stadium's architecture and overall feel would fit the city in a way Tropicana Field does not.

"They're looking at the new ballpark as a St. Pete landmark," Bennett said.

Photo by Peter Masa

"They've obviously spent a lot of time on it: That was one thing you saw," he added. "They did a lot of work on this, trying to get something that people would like. That's pretty important to me. At the onset, there doesn't appear to be any major flaw" in the design.

Newly elected council member Wengay Newton also was supportive of that aspect of the plans he saw Monday - "It looks good on paper," he said - but was wary of how the stadium would be funded.

"I cannot support taxing these people one more penny," Newton said. "They're hurting enough as it is."

One part of the proposal that appeals to Newton is the redevelopment of the current Tropicana Field site once the Rays are gone.

The team does not pay property taxes on the approximately 85 acres of land it occupies, including all of the surrounding parking lots.

The Rays hope to sell the site to developers who would fill it with a combination of retail and housing.

The team would roll whatever profit it realizes from the sale of the land into paying for construction on the new ballpark, and the city would see new jobs created and gain a revenue stream from property taxes as tenants move in.

"We could put all that back on the tax rolls," Newton said.

Newton joined Bennett in urging the Rays to keep the public informed of its plans as the process unfolds.

Team officials declined to comment Monday but will continue to brief select elected officials in the coming days. Council members Jim Kennedy and Leslie Curran said Monday night they expect to meet with team officials today. The sales job will expand as the Rays try to make the stadium a reality.

The state Legislature must approve sales-tax rebates that could account for as much as $60 million of the funding and the public ultimately must be sold on the idea.

"If the people don't back it, then what we're talking about is a moot point," Newton said.

Public support is just one of numerous "ifs" that must be resolved for the stadium to meet its targeted 2012 opening, but Bennett said he thinks the project is on the right track.

"Tropicana Field was our deal to get a foothold with the major leagues, and I think this city kind of likes having a major league team," Bennett said. "When push comes to shove, I think we'd kind of like them to stay. If the financial factors all add up, I think people might say, 'You know, that's not such a bad idea.'"

Reporter Marc Lancaster can be reached at (813) 259-7227 or mlancaster@tampatrib.com.

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