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Would a LEED certified Rays stadium appease environmentalists and new stadium supporters?

By Jessica Respondek on Wed, May 5, 2010 at 9:30 am

Currently, ABCC has Craig Sher, the Executive Chairman of the Sembler Company, speaking for them on record. Is anyone else concerned that a developer of a now empty BayWalk is pushing for the city to fund a half a billion dollar stadium – much less during a recession? Or maybe they are still holding a grudge toward the city for not privatizing the sidewalks of BayWalk – as the proposed solution to save the businesses.

According to the Baseball Almanac, for the 2009 season the Rays just squeaked past the 50% capacity mark. Even then, the numbers are 7,000 shy of the 1998 opening year and only 1,500 over 1999's numbers. For an eight year period, attendance barely pitched over a 35% average record. The numbers do not add up when the ABCC preaches on the economic impact of a waterfront stadium.

Now you may ask: why is the commentary on a baseball stadium in the Green Community section? (Besides the obvious environmental side of not wanting an ecologically damaging waterfront stadium?) Because I am asking: Why is ABCC not proposing a LEED certified stadium in the so-called "green" City of St. Petersburg?

Since the outpouring of opposition was from the environmental community, would it not make sense to offer an appeasement of a LEED stadium in an area needing to prove (and improve) sustainability, like ToyTown which was once a landfill site, in order to help the group accept a new offer?

Of course, financial sustainability comes in play. Then again, the leadership of the ABCC is coming from an empty multiplex.

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Many ponder the ins and outs of how to get a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. What is your take on it? Are you a fan? Not interested in the new taxes it may bring? Or do you cringe at the idea of dredging and filling the bay?

I will confess that I am not for dredging the bay, adding cement, or building a new road. Of course 'A Baseball Community' Coalition (ABCC) recently stated that the waterfront location fell through due to the city government not jumping on the issue. But I say, "no way"! It was the greater environmental community, and many others, who took a stand, waited in lines, sent letters, made calls, and submitted emails which put the voice forth. Let us not forget 'Preserve Our Wallets and Waterfront' (POWW) who helped organize the majority of citizens in the City who would oppose the referendum.