What is the future of Tropicana Field? That’s the discussion among many people in St. Petersburg.

  • Public giving input on Tropicana Field redevelopment
  • Another meeting planned tonight at 6:30 p.m.
  • Ideas thrown out at Monday night’s meeting include convention center

The ball may be up in the air about where the Tampa Bay Rays will end up but the show must go on and so will the planning.

At a meeting Monday night, residents gave their input on what they would like to see.

“I think we’re going to need more jobs,” said downtown St. Pete resident John Harrison. “We’re going to need a bigger job market. And the more condos and residential buildings (that) arise, we’re going to need the market for the jobs to stay here so everybody could stop traveling to Tampa for the jobs.”

Dr. Robert Wallace said there’s a number of things he would like to see, but there is one thing he doesn’t think belongs here: the Rays.

“I’ve been a resident here for 44 years and I’ve watched a lot of changes come along in the city. And I think that it’s been tried and there have been a lot of opportunities for this to really, really grow and grow, and it really hasn’t,” he said.

Janel Peteranecz knows what she would like to see there.

“I’m very interested in seeing a convention center,” she said. “I’m very interested in seeing something that if we invest in this as a community with our taxes, we’re going to get a return. And as an educator, it better be good.”

Randy Morton with HKS Architects says his company will design the new stadium and they’re listening loud and clear to both sides on the Rays discussion. They plan to come up with a plan either way.

“Step number one is to assume the team is staying. We’re in a dialogue with the team so we’ll come up with ideas and we’ll set forth a plan and we’ll have a discussion with them. And step number two will be a different plan that doesn’t include the team.”

Leaders say they’ll take these ideas to the drawing board, come up with a concept then come back to the community for input.

If you didn’t make it to the public meeting Monday night there is another opportunity Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Campbell Park Recreation Center.