Coalition votes on Rays stadium final draft

Friday, November 20, 2009

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The ABC Coalition says to boost attendance, the stadium needs to be in a place that's easy to get to.

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Despite getting flak about its findings, a private group looking into alternatives for a new Rays stadium voted on its final draft with only some minor changes.

The ABC Coalition concluded if the current stadium isn't replaced in a timely fashion, the Tampa Bay area could lose Major League Baseball.

Committee members approved a draft report saying sites should be considered in both St. Petersburg and Hillsborough counties. It says Tropicana Field is outdated and the Rays need a more "fan friendly" stadium.

The report points out the Rays still have some of the lowest attendance numbers in the league. It says to boost attendance, the stadium needs to be in a place that's easy to get to.

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"It's not a question of whether a new venue needs to be put in place to keep the Rays healthy in the long-term," said ABC Coalition chairman Jeff Lyash. "It's a question of when and where."

"We want them to consider very strongly and give great respect to the significance of the existing contract, the use agreement between the city and the Rays," said St. Petersburg Development Director Rick Mussett.

Mussett says the Rays are contractually-obligated to play at Tropicana Field for the next 17 years. He says the team isn't allowed to enter into discussions to relocate to Hillsborough County without the city's approval. However, he says they can negotiate with St. Petersburg about relocating within the city limits.

Nothing is set in stone, including the ABC committee's recommendations. Members still have to compile and then vote on a final report, possibly in December.

The committee plans to present their findings to several government bodies, including the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission. It'll be up to those groups to decide how to move forward.