Planned Soccer Stadium in Downtown Tampa

[TampaMike]

If this all goes through, which I still believe will, be cool to have some area of recognition or remembrance of the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Even though they were short-lived, a history plaque or something would be nice. Carlos Valderrama lives in Clearwater, get him on board with this if they can.

[Jasonhouse]

My guess is the odds of a soccer stadium being built DT any time soon are somewhere between slim and none.

I also don't care if a soccer stadium is built in Tampa or not, so long as taxpayers don't have to pay a cent for it.

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by TampaMike

If this all goes through, which I still believe will, be cool to have some area of recognition or remembrance of the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Even though they were short-lived, a history plaque or something would be nice. Carlos Valderrama lives in Clearwater, get him on board with this if they can.

That would be a nice touch. We should know a lot more after the press conference. There are just so many unknowns, including the actual location of the proposed stadiums.

[TampaMike]

Originally Posted by tampasteve

That would be a nice touch. We should know a lot more after the press conference. There are just so many unknowns, including the actual location of the proposed stadiums.

Agreed. And in most cases, I have more faith that something will come out of this. This isn't some amateur group throwing out an idea as a way to get their name out there. This is a well known company that already has a team in Liverpool and already has presence in Tampa with the VSI Flames. For them to already have a meeting with the city about this is an accomplishment in itself and makes me believe that we're dealing with more than just a fluke. USF is already in support of the sports medicine center.

[tampaizzy]

I hope this thing goes through for the sports medicine facility alone. And its all privately funded?! You can't beat that.

[TampaMike]

Originally Posted by tampaizzy

I hope this thing goes through for the sports medicine facility alone. And its all privately funded?! You can't beat that.

All privately funded. I have a feeling they'll get somewhat of a deal from the city, no property taxes or something.

[tampasteve]

They also have a large operation on Portugal in Rio Major. That facility seems very similar to what they are proposing for Tampa. 6,500 seat stadium, sports training and medical facilities, on site living. Below is a pic from their Europe website.

[TampaMike]

Umm..... if it's on the Channelside/Vinik land, hopefully they don't do a separate building like that on the land. What I'm imagining is them connecting the sports medicine center to the permanent stadium. Hopefully. Also, no parking lots!

[TPAMAN]

Originally Posted by tampasteve

That would be a nice touch. We should know a lot more after the press conference. There are just so many unknowns, including the actual location of the proposed stadiums.

As I understand it, the media is not invited and it's an invite only event. Not sure if they will ask for details to be kept private or any part of their internal announcement not be made public. You would think they woudl want the media there for their big announcement regarding Tampa? Seems a little odd.

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by TPAMAN

As I understand it, the media is not invited and it's an invite only event. Not sure if they will ask for details to be kept private or any part of their internal announcement not be made public. You would think they woudl want the media there for their big announcement regarding Tampa? Seems a little odd.

Yes, it is by invite only. All we know is that "local political and business leaders" were invited for the grand unveiling of the plan at the Tampa Club on December 11th. We do not know who was invited or if it will be hush hush. I would suppose that there will not be a NDA it is being billed as an unveiling of the details.

More than likely it is some sort of a mix of details and fundraiser. I would imagine that they have a lot of money lined up, but they could use more, and they need the cities support (which should not be hard)

[USF802]

Originally Posted by TampaMike

Umm..... if it's on the Channelside/Vinik land, hopefully they don't do a separate building like that on the land. What I'm imagining is them connecting the sports medicine center to the permanent stadium. Hopefully. Also, no parking lots!

That is exactly what I was going to say. It must be an urban stadium with no parking lots around it like most stadiums have. Same can be said for the sports medicine complex, hopefully it is built up rather than spread out over 1 level of flooring. IMO it should be molded after the Portland Timbers Stadium. It has everything I think should be included in the design, including: South end stage, no surrounding parking lots (the picture shows some, but Google Earth gives you a better idea) and then a multi-leveled facility connected to the stadium. Throwing in some retail around the base would make it that much better.


Hopefully, December 11th we can find out more, but no guarantees depending on who exactly was invited and how hush hush everything is going to be kept. So far this whole thing has been hush hush so that's what I'm expecting to continue.

*Edit* So I just saw a post on Facebook from the page Tampa's Rivewalk, commenting on this and suggesting that this stadium should be built on the Tampa Heights property along the river. Never really thought of that idea 'till now.

[Jasonhouse]

Waterfront land should never be wasted on a stadium imo. Of course, I think the same of Blake HS across the river.

Tampa Heights is impractical on multiple levels, but then again, so is the current rumored site in the Channel District.

[USF802]

Besides being on prime riverfront land, I would think a major problem with a SSS in the Heights would require significant infrastructure improvements, specifically with the roads and lack of quick highway access. Personally, I feel the best place for this SSS is on the land just north of the Forum, so long as they develop it properly and make it as urban as possible.

[TampaMike]

Rather have the land up in the Heights area developed into residential, hotels, office, and retail more than a stadium. Don't know why the Riverwalk FB page would support a stadium on the land when a mixed-use development would benefit the Riverwalk more and year-round.

So eliminating the Heights area, the only other choices is the obvious Vinik/Channelside land and Julian B Lane Riverfront Park. Besides that, there is nowhere else in downtown Tampa or near that can handle all that is proposed by this group. And a Channelside stadium wouldn't require the construction of parking that the Riverfront Park would.

[TPAMAN]

Originally Posted by TampaMike

Rather have the land up in the Heights area developed into residential, hotels, office, and retail more than a stadium. Don't know why the Riverwalk FB page would support a stadium on the land when a mixed-use development would benefit the Riverwalk more and year-round.

So eliminating the Heights area, the only other choices is the obvious Vinik/Channelside land and Julian B Lane Riverfront Park. Besides that, there is nowhere else in downtown Tampa or near that can handle all that is proposed by this group. And a Channelside stadium wouldn't require the construction of parking that the Riverfront Park would.

OR the Tampa Park Apartments on Nuccio Parkway though I, personally, prefer a baseball stadium there!

[ThatFloridaDude]

Damn. Yall are going to get MLS before us , since they decided to build a terrible transit station downtown on a large parcel of land that would have been adjacent to the commuter rail and bus station.

Tampa, don't screw it up. If you guys can put it downtown, do so. Every team or league we have had that has been in the tourist corridor (Where they are again planning a stadium (Idiots) ) we have lost that team.

So I cheer you guys on in hopes they build this thing the right way.

[John F]

Things get unveiled tomorrow, dot hey not?

I'm completely skeptical here. The Rowdies have been in NASL for three seasons or so? Are we really ready to commit to advancing to the top-tier North American league?

I also am lothe when seeing the "downtown stadium" plan. This isn't Portland, especially when it comes to their devotion to the Timbers (let alone the city design).

[USF802]

Originally Posted by John F

Things get unveiled tomorrow, dot hey not?

I'm completely skeptical here. The Rowdies have been in NASL for three seasons or so? Are we really ready to commit to advancing to the top-tier North American league?

I also am lothe when seeing the "downtown stadium" plan. This isn't Portland, especially when it comes to their devotion to the Timbers (let alone the city design).

They are supposed to be revealed tomorrow, yes. However, it sounds like a fairly tight lip, invitation only meeting, so tomorrow we could find out everything or continue to speculate and sit in the dark on this whole proposed idea.

I think you are about as skeptical as everyone else that has heard of this, only time will tell if this is all just smoke and mirrors or if this has substantial backing too it.

As for the stadium itself, I put that picture of Portland's stadium up for comparison sake and what I would like to see if a stadium in downtown is ever built. Also we don't really know where they want to build the stadium, we can only assume based on their wording that they are looking at downtown across from the Forum, but really it could be anywheres from Fair Grounds, North downtown tampa, or near RJS. But if they are going to try to put a stadium in downtown, particularly across from the Forum, it can not be built in typical stadium fashion, with a sea of surface lots surrounding it. It must be built as urban as possible imo and that's why I suggested to looking at Portland's stadium.

[tampasteve]

Tonight from 6-8pm is what I understand. We may hear something....maybe not...

**Edit**
Possibly the meeting was at 11:45 according to the Biz journal...oh the different information!

[USF802]

Well nothing from any of the media outlets or anything on social media regarding the revealing today. Wonder how long we are going to be in the dark on this one, I guess only time will tell. Was really hoping to find out more about this whole project today, sigh..