tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post7822253451143445319..comments2024-03-03T06:01:35.285-05:00Comments on Shadow of the Stadium: Tampa Bay Rowdies Eyeing New Stadium, SubsidiesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-85054115075206667232014-05-10T09:02:20.445-04:002014-05-10T09:02:20.445-04:00I respect your opinion Speedcake, however I'm ...I respect your opinion Speedcake, however I'm not certain the expense (and ongoing maintenance costs) of such a facility is offset by whatever economic impact such a facility brings with it. Most studies seem to suggest they do not. Not to mention the question of whether using valuable waterfront property for such a purpose makes any sense at all. To say nothing of the propriety of using taxpayer funds to subsidize a private business. <br /><br />Anyway, bringing people into downtown St. Pete is not a problem that needs to be solved. They are coming in droves now, with or without the Rowdies. The thousand plus housing units currently being built downtown will only add more. Throw in some light rail to move people around, and we are moving toward world-class status (in my opinion.)<br /><br />I also look at the burgeoning restaurant and arts scene in both the Edge District as well as the Grand Central/Kenwood sections along Central Avenue, and none of it has anything to do with its proximity to the Trop. The Trop could disappear tomorrow, and those districts and businesses would continue to thrive.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I like the Rowdies and like they are in St. Pete. Perhaps something can be worked out. But complaining about the stadium after only five months of ownership, and threats to move them to Tampa (and all the buttons that sort of threat pushes) is outrageous. For myself, I am more than happy to call his bluff. Best of luck to him.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04365917923190689322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-91384302768766635822014-05-09T17:17:07.763-04:002014-05-09T17:17:07.763-04:00You are looking at it now, as things are, and not ...You are looking at it now, as things are, and not as they would be with a 20k seat stadium and a significantly increased Rowdies fan base, plus the other events the stadium would host which also bring people into downtown St. Pete.Speedcakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15585874432771730382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-84069059812154448112014-05-09T15:52:01.931-04:002014-05-09T15:52:01.931-04:00"St.Pete would lose out if the team moved, no..."St.Pete would lose out if the team moved, not the other way around."<br /><br />In what way does St. Pete lose? While I acknowledge that on game nights, Rowdies fans bring a definite "buzz" to the neighborhood, I don't know how you put a dollar figure on "buzz."<br /><br />But I do remember all the bars along Central Avenue and the restaurants along Beach Drive were filled with people long before the Rowdies showed up. I suspect they'll still be filled with people should the Rowdies ever move.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04365917923190689322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-79870793445676628692014-05-09T15:36:43.704-04:002014-05-09T15:36:43.704-04:00I'm in complete agreement with everything you&...I'm in complete agreement with everything you've stated. Ybor City in Tampa would be a perfect location (near the Interstate & the Crosstown for easy access.) Plus, nearby pubs and cafe's in Ybor on 7th would be a plus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-50306971062331888192014-05-09T15:09:31.713-04:002014-05-09T15:09:31.713-04:00The Rowdies in my opinion belong in their own socc...The Rowdies in my opinion belong in their own soccer specific stadium. My personal preference would be a central location in Tampa, Ybor for example, but St.Pete would lose out if the team moved, not the other way around. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-31015080272063415582014-05-09T15:07:23.752-04:002014-05-09T15:07:23.752-04:00For exactly the reason in your statement. "Ga...For exactly the reason in your statement. "Garber is handing out teams left and right." He has no plan and MLS has suffered historically for plopping teams in places they have no following. The Rowdies fan base is growing but now is not the time and MLS wiht its current leadership is not the leagues. The NASL recognizes existing fan bases and tries to grow them grass roots style. The Rowdies are a great example. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-44024995801886367762014-05-09T14:42:29.830-04:002014-05-09T14:42:29.830-04:00I'd be trying to go all in on the MLS action i...I'd be trying to go all in on the MLS action if I were Edwards. Don Garber is handing out teams left and right. Why not try to get in on the action while it's hot?Kei Teayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06793856241402630789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1021348172235346593.post-87622636210214332992014-05-09T13:17:50.497-04:002014-05-09T13:17:50.497-04:00Why doesn't the Rowdies lease the in-the-AC Tr...Why doesn't the Rowdies lease the in-the-AC Trop OR RayJ instead?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12891730591735606792noreply@blogger.com