Friday, November 8, 2013

Buckhorn Shares Kriseman's Optimism on Stadium Saga

Following St. Pete Mayor-Elect Rick Kriseman's post-election optimism, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn shared the feeling on Thursday.  The Tampa Tribune reports:
“It's either going to be Tampa or someplace else, not St. Petersburg,” Buckhorn told 100 members attending the Hillsborough County Hotel and Motel Association's annual luncheon.

Buckhorn's statement followed the election defeat Tuesday of incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, who Buckhorn has said was an obstacle to the Rays looking beyond Pinellas County for a new home.

In a touch of whimsy, Buckhorn said Tampa could be better served by a Major League Baseball ballpark in the downtown urban core than a flour plant that currently occupies a prime site.

"The ConAgra plant is right in the middle of where third base could be,” Buckhorn said, adding that ConAgra has no reason to move unless the plant were bought out.

He also said about 20 acres of land Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik owns around the Forum is a prime site, but does not know if Vinik has the patience to wait to develop the property until the Rays impasse over their contract to play at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg is resolved.

“Our only hope is to get together to pursue the ballpark,” Buckhorn said, adding that a $600 million financing plan that did not include a taxpayer giveaway is needed.
The only surprise was that this story didn't end up on the front page of the Tribune.  But even if the biggest obstacle in the Stadium Saga is no longer the team's contract with St. Pete, that pesky $600 million price tag is no easy hill to climb, either.

9 comments:

  1. Regarding:
    “Our only hope is to get together to pursue the ballpark,” Buckhorn said, adding that a $600 million financing plan that did not include a taxpayer giveaway is needed."

    Let's hope that Buckhorn's definition of 'taxpayer giveaway' is giving any tax dollars to the effort. It is interesting that Buckhorn did not say '...that did not include any taxpayer dollars'

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  2. Its not realistic to think a ballpark can be built with 100% private funding. I'm assuming land and infrastructure improvements would have to on the table. But no doubt if the Rays are on their own, they're not going to be staying in Tampa Bay.

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  3. Ole' Bob keeping the sprits high among business leaders that would prosper from such a city investment. Again, they got it ALL worked out, and it's not if, but when, when a seemly greedy & ungrateful St.Pete moves out of the way of a situation that WILL propel Tampa into a greater city!

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    1. So Mr. B. Dufala,

      Since it is ALL worked out, prey tell, how much will the stadium cost and how much will the taxpayers be on the hook for?

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    2. Well, since we're asking each other questions, do you really think "the smartest front office in sports" has just sat around pouting while doing nothing because of their "contract" opposed to planning for their "future" moves by getting blue prints drawn, figuring finances, "off the record" business meetings, etc.? Let's not be as "naive" as most! Though I think if any money was asked to "borrow", it would be for infrastructure around the park, I don't think those that will be involved want to have to answer to the public about what they can or can't do w/ "their" stadium or money...

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    3. So Mr. B. Dufala,

      Repeating...

      Since it is ALL worked out, prey tell, how much will the stadium cost and how much will the taxpayers be on the hook for?

      Delete

      Delete
  4. This article touches on why I'm somewhat doubtful on the stadium winding up at that Channelside spot. It would mean that all that land is just going to sit there undeveloped across from the Forum for several more years. Plus someone putting forward the cash to buy out ConAgra. Even if all that happened, it wouldn't be a HUGE site to work with, especially to fit in the additional infrastructure of a retractable roof. It's boxed in by the Crosstown Expressway.

    It doesn't seem to get brought up much, but I've always thought they might be better off kicking the Yankees out of their Dale Mabry location (the Yanks seem to be exploring sites in other counties to leave on their own anyway), taking over that land, and putting it over there next to Raymond James.

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  5. They would be better off with that idea... It disgusts me every time I see mini Yankee stadium when I go to Bucs games. Plus who wants to get trapped in Tampa traffic trying to get downtown?? Dale Mabry across from Ray-J is where it should be.

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