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Stadium Idea Opposed

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By B.C. MANION | The Tampa Tribune,

Published: October 15, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Rosemarie Middleton loves the idea of bringing professional soccer back to the Tampa Bay area - but not near her neighborhood.

Investors, who include Andrew Nestor and Hinds Howard of Boston and David Laxer of Tampa, want to rezone 15.7 acres for the stadium and an adjoining retail complex, according to county records.

They want to open the stadium with 5,000 seats and eventually expand it to about 10,000.

The privately funded stadium would be home to a United Soccer League First Division team called the Rowdies, the same name used by the North American Soccer League club that began play in Tampa in the 1970s. The goal is to have the stadium ready for use by 2010.

Middleton, the president of the Twelve Oaks Civic Association, thinks the proposed stadium - south of Waters Avenue, between Benjamin Road and the Veterans Expressway - will encourage drivers to cut through nearby neighborhoods.

She's especially worried about Barry Road, which connects Hanley and Benjamin roads, to become clogged with cars trying to avoid stadium traffic.

Middleton said noise is another issue, particularly when the stadium is used for concerts or other events.

She's organized a community meeting so people can express their views on the proposed stadium. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Morgan Woods Recreation Center, 7001 Armand Drive.

Vin Marchetti, an attorney representing the stadium applicants, is expected at the meeting.

A rezoning hearing has been set for 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Fred B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507.

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