Mid-Pinellas site in mix for new Rays stadium
By Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, January 1, 2009
A vacant block in the Gateway area of St. Petersburg is emerging as a potential new home for the Tampa Bay Rays.
The site, 15 acres in the Carillon office complex, would be closer to Tampa and north Pinellas County than either Tropicana Field or the failed proposal for Al Lang Field.
Rays Identify 7 Potential Stadium Sites In Pinellas
By RUSSELL RAY | The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 31, 2008
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 stadium to county officials.
Rays report suggests other stadium locations
by STEVE NICHOLS
FOX 13 NEWS
ST. PETERSBURG - A preliminary study by the Tampa Bay Rays highlights the advantages of the Carillon Town Center as the site of a future baseball stadium.
The Town Center is part of the much larger Carillon development wedged between major roads near the western end of the Howard Frankland Bridge.
Tampa Bay Rays look to Hillsborough for financing stadium
December 3, 2008
bizjournals.com
Hillsborough County residents may be asked to chip in tax dollars to finance a new baseball stadium in Pinellas County.
That option is on the table for A Baseball Community, the task force that is exploring the feasibility of building a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. The task force, which includes prominent business leaders such as Jeff Lyash, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy; Steve Raymund, chairman of Tech Data Corp.; Chuck Sykes, president and chief executive officer of Sykes Corp., and Craig Sher, executive chairman of Sembler Co., is embarked on a mission to better engage the community with the Rays and research potential stadium sites.
Some Rays fans eye airport for stadium
ST. PETERSBURG — People are bringing up Albert Whitted Airport again, and this time they're talking about a baseball stadium.
It's owned by the city. It's losing money. It's on the water. It won't be confused as a park.
Rays stadium group learns ABCs of sunshine law
By Aaron Sharockman, Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, September 16, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG — A coalition of civic and community leaders searching for a possible location for a new Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium toiled in its first meeting Monday over how to conduct its work and comply with Florida's stringent public records laws.
Give Rays task force a chance to work
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The opening lineup for a baseball task force is an impressive mix of corporate heavy hitters and civic leaders with proven records of community service. The sniping from some quarters that began as soon as the announcement was made is predictable and premature. But it reflects the considerable public interest and the challenges in ensuring Tampa Bay's future as a viable major league baseball market.
Why replace the Trop?
By Aaron Sharockman and Stephen Nohlgren, Times Staff Writers
In print: Sunday, September 7, 2008
For the first time in their 11 years, the Tampa Bay Rays are talking playoffs. Ticket sales are up 25 percent. Television ratings are growing even faster.
So why, in the middle of this surprising surge, are the Rays seeking a new stadium?
A Baseball Community Names Leadership Team
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Sept. 4, 2008) – Jeff Lyash, chairman of A Baseball Community (ABC) announced today the members of the Leadership Team.
The goal was to assemble a strong group of community leaders who represent a diverse and inclusive set of perspectives and experiences. Selection involved: identifying candidates through self-nomination (mail and web site); nominations by the principal stakeholders: Pinellas County, the city of St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay Partnership, and the Rays; and input and nominations by the public-at-large.
Some more on the ABC coalition
Just got off the phone with coalition spokesperson Melissa Seixas. She says more than 300 people have applied for one of eight slots on Jeff Lyash's coalition. We're still waiting, however, to see if those names will be released.