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(Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)They're saying it's a sign of things to come for Ybor City. In an effort to get rid of some congestion on area streets, spots that until now have been free will cost $1.50 per hour, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Instead of doing the scavenger hunt and doing circles around the streets of Ybor, they hope you'll just find a parking lot instead. And they're making it worth your while.
Parking meters are being installed this week along Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Avenue. Don't worry about bringing a bunch of quarters. You'll pay the $1.50 hourly fee via the mobile app ParkMobile. There's no paper printout. It's all electronic. Sounds like it'll be just like the meters near Amalie Arena.
There is some good news for cheapskates like me who like free parking. You can park for up to 2 hours at no charge in Ybor Lots 3, 5 and 6 all near the intersection of 19th Street and 7th Avenue. After those first 2 hours, you pay $1 per hour. [Source: TBBJ]
The Tampa Sports Authority had researchers put together a new report on the financials of putting in a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays in Ybor City. Where would it be? How much would it cost? Who would pay for it? What about parking? Fortunately the Tampa Bay Times and Tampa Bay Business Journal did all the heavy lifting so I could create this nifty little recap. [Sources: TBBJ, Tampa Bay Times]
Location, location, location...
Geno / Q105The TBBJ says the old Kforce Inc headquarters is the likely spot. That's at 1001 East Palm Avenue. That puts them right off the intersection of I-4 and I-275 which could make it more attractive to fans who live north of Tampa and out in Lakeland and Orlando. It would also put the games within walking distance of the bars, clubs and restaurants in Ybor on 7th right now.
Check the couch cushions...
Riding the Streetcar to the game might be free but the stadium isn't. The pricetag comes in just under $800 million. It'd take about 4 years to build.
Headcount...
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)The stadium in the report would allow for about 27,000 fans. That includes 2500 standing room and 1500 "berm seats" (kind of like when you go to spring training and sit on the lawn).
The roof, the roof, the roof is on...
Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesThe big question... will there be a roof? Most think it's a must-have feature given Florida summer humidity and rain. That could tack on around $150 million to the price, inching it closer to, but still under that $1 billion mark.
Sorry Montreal...
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)These plans has been designed to keep the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida the full-season. No splitting time up with fans in Canada. That plan was scrapped by Major League Baseball a few weeks ago.
The cost...
Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesMayor Jane Castor says the report looks excellent. Her statement: "Our goal was and remains to be good stewards of public tax dollars while working to keep the Rays in Tampa Bay. We still have a lot of work to do." In other words, no specifics yet on any taxes. They'll get back to us.
A "ballpark district"...
Tim DeFrisco/Getty ImagesIf you buy your peanuts and Cracker Jacks close to the new stadium, you may pay a few pennies more. Levies and assessments within a certain area are dicussed from Palm Ave, Adamo Drive and Nebraska Avenue.
Where to park to go to the park?
Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesThere actually enough parking available already, according to a lot of reports - it's just spread out. It's not in one central lot as it is in St. Pete. But a $21 million parking garage would certainly help so that's in the study.
What about spring training?
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)Plans in the report no longer call for spring training games to happen at a new stadium in Ybor City. One possibility for a new spring training location is in Pasco County near SR54 just west of the Suncoast Parkway in Odessa. The public land would be used for a 10,000 seat stadium that could be used for high school games too.
So what do the Rays think?
(Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)They're not talking. At least not yet. Both the Times and TBBJ reached out for comment and didn't get one.
