Suncoast Pinellas News
North Pinellas Group Opposes Downtown St. Pete Stadium Idea
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Published: April 22, 2008
Updated: 04/22/2008 04:38 pm
ST. PETERSBURG — Yet another umbrella neighborhood organization has come out against the Tampa Bay Rays' downtown stadium proposal.
The board of the Council of North County Neighborhoods (CNCN) voted at its meeting Monday to support the recommendations of the St. Petersburg-based Council of Neighborhood Associations of south Pinellas (CONA).
CONA voted against the $450 million waterfront ballpark on Wednesday and approved a recommendation to keep it off the November ballot. The group suggested exploring other possible sites for a new stadium, including using the Tropicana Field site.
In a Tuesday letter to CONA president Barbara Heck, CNCN said it was "totally inappropriate" for Pinellas County officials to consider financially supporting the new stadium when the county still owes $42.5 million on Tropicana Field.
The group said any county revenues that might go toward a new ballpark could be better used providing services for residents.
"Due to the present state of the county and the state economy considering this financial aid to the Rays is totally inappropriate," wrote John Miolla, CNCN first vice president. "We hope county officials carefully study this prior to any commitment being made."
Michael Kalt, a senior vice president for the Rays, had no immediate comment, saying he wasn't familiar with the CNCN's action.
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