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Rays Identify 7 Potential Stadium Sites In Pinellas

New Channel 8 photo by PETER MASA

One of the sites being considered is the current home of the Rays, Tropicana Field

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By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2008

The Tampa Bay Rays have identified seven potential sites for a new baseball stadium in a report recently submitted to the ABC baseball coalition.

The 10-member panel is charged with recommending a site for a stadium to county officials.
All seven sites are in Pinellas County:

• Derby Lane

• Toytown

• Carillon Town Center

• Progress Energy Park

• St. Petersburg Clearwater Airport/Airco Golf Course

• Sod Farm

• Tropicana Field

"We're not prepared to say that one site is preferable to the other," said Michael Kalt, Rays vice president for development and business affairs. "The sites themselves are just sites that have been mentioned in the public, and we don't necessarily think it's an exhaustive list."

Although the 64-page report does not name a favorite, the 15-acre site at Carillon Town Center stood out. Located in the center of Pinellas County, it has the largest population within a 30-minute drive, according to the Rays report.

"The area is a true gateway to the county," the report states. "The site has superior access from the highway and local roadways."

However, a detailed traffic analysis would be required to determine if the area can accommodate the added traffic and what, if any, transportation improvements would be needed, according to the report.
The coalition received the report during a board meeting in early December.

"The group has not discussed the sites," coalition spokesperson Judy Mitchell said. "We are in the fact-gathering stage right now."

Reporter Russell Ray can be reached at (813) 259-7870.

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