Parking Revenue Key To Rays' Proposed Waterfront Ballpark
 |
|
Rays' Waterfront Ballpark Relies
Heavily On Revenue From Parking
|
The success of the Rays’ $450M waterfront ballpark plan may rely on St. Petersburg’s “willingness to lease as many as 2,500 city parking spaces and fans’ willingness to fork over an extra $1 for parking,” according to Aaron Sharockman of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. The Rays said that St. Petersburg “owns as many as 4,000 parking spaces downtown that the city does not currently use most nights.” The team “wants to purchase 2,000 to 2,500 spaces from the city for 81 games a year.” The Rays would “pay that money up front and then sell those spaces to season ticket holders.” In return, the city “would take that revenue and pour it into construction of the new ballpark.” The Rays said that the scenario can “generate $35[M] for the new ballpark.” There also would be a “$1 surcharge for fans parking at a baseball game.” Rays Senior VP/Development Michael Kalt said that the city would have to “set clear limits on who would pay.” He suggested that the city “create a zone around the stadium, then apply the surcharge only at certain times before and during a game, and apply it to parking lot operators charging, say, $10 or more.” The city said that “not all of the spaces the Rays may be seeking are available.” But Kalt said that there are “enough spaces in the city’s inventory that some will not need to be included” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 5/22).
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
Five Sites Considered For Rays Park
June 26, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Rays' Silverman Clarifies Criticism
June 25, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Tropicana Renovation Would Be Costly
June 16, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Rays Force Triple A Team To Cancel Promo
June 15, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Forbes Unveils Fastest-Growing Team Brands
May 15, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
HSMG Folds, Sends Staff To Rangers, Stars
July 2, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MLBAM Expects Record Online All-Star Voting
July 2, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Demise Of "Moneyball" Film Examined
July 2, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Bond Sale For Marlins Ballpark Falls Short
July 1, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Mayor Discusses San Jose's Pursuit Of A's
July 1, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
