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Rays ID 7 Stadium Prospects

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By RUSSELL RAY

rray@tampatrib.com

Published: January 3, 2009

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 new stadium to county officials.

All seven sites identified by the Rays 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. 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 whether 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," said coalition spokesperson Judy Mitchell. "We are in the fact-gathering stage right now."

The full report is available at www.abc-baseball.com/events/alternative-stadium-si....

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

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