#MLS2StPete Referendum passes in St. Petersburg with 87% yes vote. Tampa Bay Rowdies inch closer to MLS.

#MLS2StPete Referendum passes in St. Petersburg with 87% 'yes' vote. Tampa Bay Rowdies inch closer to MLS.

Vote totals below: 

City of St. Petersburg Referendum Question

93 of 93 Precincts Reporting

Percent Votes
Yes 87.14% 24,589
No 12.86% 3,628

This is good news, and an even better percentage of the 'yes' vote than was initially predicted. 

It does not guarantee that the Tampa Bay Rowdies will get into MLS as an expansion team, but it is a necessary first step. I am slightly irritated, however, by the many loud and skeptical voices counter-signalling this victory by claiming that the Rowdies are still not in the likely group of potential MLS expansion teams. Most of the reasons cited against the Rowdies chances are bogus. 

Pros:

1) Tampa/St. Pete is largest (#11) TV market not yet in MLS. MLS is not going to want to ignore the big, unrepresented TV markets for much longer (Tampa/St. Pete #11, Phoenix #12, Detroit #13).

2) Tampa Bay Area is fastest growing market of the 13 markets (including Miami) currently trying to get into MLS. 

3) Tampa Bay Area has a long history of supporting pro soccer (much more so than Miami). 

4) Tampa Bay Rowdies are an iconic brand with a 42 year history, still recognized internationally. This helps in many ways that can't be quantified; ask the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, and Vancouver Whitecaps about that.

5) Tampa Bay Area in general, and St. Pete in particular, is rapidly growing with the young Millennial demographic that is particularly desired by MLS. St. Petersburg, over the past 10 years, has become a hipster-burg comparable in many ways (except for the weather) to Portland and Seattle.

6) Al Lang Stadium is located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, within easy walking distance from a huge selection of bars, restaurants, shops, cinemas, theaters, music venues, museums, and other recreation and nightlife. This is EXACTLY the type of downtown, walkable, urban soccer stadium situation that MLS has been trying to get in many other cities (and often failing miserably; see for instance Miami and New England). 

7) With this vote, and the soon to be negotiated extended lease agreed to by the Rowdies and St. Pete government (which WILL happen; St. Pete city government has shown itself entirely on the side of #MLS2StPete), Tampa Bay Rowdies will join Sacramento Republic as the only teams in the MLS expansion race to have both stadium situation and financing all lined up; i.e. both are shovel ready and ready to go as soon as MLS gives the word. There are a few other markets that may be close to doing this, but they are not quite there yet; at the moment, only Tampa Bay and Sacramento are. 

8) Bill Edwards has not yet announced who his additional investors are, but they will be big and they will enhance his case for #MLS2StPete. 

9) The Tampa Bay Rowdies #MLS2StPete project has the overwhelming support of local St. Pete politicians, neighborhood groups, local businesses, the chamber of commerce, local corporate sponsors, and politicians and businesses and corporate sponsors from other Tampa Bay Area cities such as Tampa and Clearwater. Like Sacramento, political and business support for the local MLS bid is overwhelming and unequivocal. That's more than you can say for a lot of the other MLS bids. 

Anti-Cons:

1) Bill Edwards' negatives aren't going to stop #MLS2StPete any more than the negatives of Joey Saputo (Montreal Impact), Bill McGuire (Minnesota United), or City Football Group/Abu Dhabi United Group/China Media Capital/CITIC Capital (New York City FC) stopped those teams from joining MLS. If you don't know what those negatives are, Google it. When Bill Edwards announces his additional #MLS2StPete investors, who may very well be extremely wealthy and respectable, I think people will finally realize that this is another non-issue.

2) Don Garber has made it very clear that Orlando City's MLS territorial rights are not going to stop the Rowdies from joining MLS, and the proximity of the two markets is a plus, not a minus, for Garber. 

3) Florida is still, even if Miami gets into MLS, a very much underrepresented state, for its size, in MLS. Tampa Bay Rowdies would not make "too many Florida teams" in MLS. 

4) The Al Lang Stadium expansion plans meet every USSF D1 and MLS requirement for professional soccer stadiums, period, full stop, end of discussion. You fan boys constantly whinging and complaining that you don't like the oddball configuration of the stadium, are clueless. This is not a valid concern and it is not a real issue.

5) Being located in St. Pete is not a negative; MLB baseball attendance for the Rays in St. Pete is not an apples-to-apples comparison to soccer due to the many weeknight games MLB plays (this is a problem for the Rays due to weeknight rush hour traffic over the bay bridges). This is an objection only raised by people who don't know the Tampa Bay Area and/or who don't seem to understand the many differences between soccer fandom and baseball fandom (demographically, culturally, etc.) in the USA in general and in Florida in particular.

6) The 2001 MLS contraction of the Florida teams has absolutely nothing to do with the current MLS expansion process, and it is simply irrelevant to what is currently going on with MLS expansion. The Tampa Bay Mutiny were NOT contracted due to poor attendance, and if you believe that they were, you are too badly misinformed to have an opinion worth listening to on this subject. 

7) Gut-level feelings about which bids are "stronger" and which bids are less strong are not "objective" and MLS expansion race pundits have been proven wrong so many times you would think that they would have learned this lesson by now, but, no, apparently not.

I have no idea how things will turn out, but the Tampa Bay Rowdies case for MLS is very strong. The Miami situation is fouling things up, however, and if it drags on it could delay the MLS expansion announcements until late this year. So we probably have a lot more waiting to do. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also, below: I, too, remember watching a Rowdies game at the old Tampa Stadium, in the 1970s, during a rainstorm, with the rain coming down in sheets and the water flowing down the stadium terraces like a waterfall. I don't recall if there was also lightning going on at the time; but there likely was. They definitely wouldn't allow a game to be played outdoors in that kind of weather today. 

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/05/02/fulk-talks-rowdies-tampa-bay-united-merger/2843

Fulk Talks Rowdies, Tampa Bay United Merger

2017 May 2

by JAKE NUTTING

Like many living in Tampa Bay in the early 1980s, Keith Fulk has vivid memories of watching the Tampa Bay Rowdies during their run in the original NASL. One of those matches he attended as a University of Tampa student may have even endangered his life, but he still recalls it fondly.

“All I remember is lightning and rain and us standing on metal seats,” Fulk said. “Remember at The Big Sombrero when it was raining there was nowhere to go but down? It was just like a waterfall down the steps, man. Now I think about lightning warnings and the way society is now about covering your butt. Here I was in a metal stadium standing up, lightning going, pouring down rain and they were still playing soccer. The Rowdies and they’re green and gold hoops and the socks. I just remember how fun it was.”

Over 30 years after that memorable match, Fulk is now aiding the modern incarnation of the Rowdies in their new merger with the recently rebranded Tampa Bay United Rowdies academy. Once he started donning Rowdies gear, Fulk instantly noticed a difference in people’s reactions to him and the academy.

“The Rowdies name changes their whole mindset,” he said. “It’s hard to explain. When I first started I wore TBU stuff and now I’ve been wearing the Rowdies stuff and it’s just been like an epiphany. People react when they see it. It’s a great situation and I feel honored and excited about this opportunity for my family and to help the Rowdies build something great.”

Fulk has had a role in developing players in Tampa Bay since he joined his alma mater as an assistant coach in the early 1990s. UT claimed two national title during his time at the school as an assistant and head coach. Fulk eventually moved on to a seven-year stint as an assistant with the U.S. U-17 national team –which included coaching at four youth World Cups — before he assumed the coaching job at Sain Leo University.

He resigned from his post at Saint Leo in January and began working as the Director of Tampa Bay United Rowdies’ U.S. Soccer Development Academy program a few weeks later. Despite enjoying his time at Saint Leo, the decision to take on the challenge of helping the Rowdies build a youth development system was an easy one for Fulk.

“This is something that I’d never really done,” he said. “It’s a different kind of role for me, but it’s something that really interests me and it kind of gave me a little bit of energy and excitement. I’m a passionate person, man. I love soccer so much. When I had the opportunity to do something with the Rowdies, especially with the youth, which I’ve been involved with in college soccer and things, it was kind of a no-brainer.”

The ultimate goal of U.S. Soccer’s DA initiative is to produce players for the national team program, but the additional benefit for professional teams maintaining DA teams are able to identify and nurture players from the same pool. Currently, TBU Rowdies has DA teams for ages 12-15, though Fulk’s immediate goal is to expand that to every level in the program and grow the player numbers at the youngest age groups.

“When we were trying to get the Rowdies affiliated with Tampa Bay United I was like, ‘Wow, that differentiates us from being a normal club team, to being a professional academy in a professional environment.’ Everything from the first team down, Stuart Campbell said we want to you be modeled after what the first team does. The Rowdies coaching staff is a good bunch of people, but I also enjoy their vision and their style of play. Their style was very similar to me. It was just a win-win thing.”

Investing in player development is a necessary criteria for any group hoping to earn expansion into Major League Soccer, so the benefits of the TBU partnership to the Rowdies are obvious. However, Fulk thinks the advantages go both ways. The Rowdies name and the history in the region that comes with it offers more cache than TBU’s and the kids now wearing the same name and colors as their local team now feel a stronger connection to the players.

“When you look at a club in professional environment and you try to focus on the pathway to the pros or the pathway to colleges or the pathway to whatever kids want to do, I think it’s a great experience when they’re involved with professionals and they can emulate some of the Rowdies players,” he said.

Fulk believes there’s more than enough talent to tap into in the Tampa Bay area. His aim with the academy to is to shift focus away from winning that week’s tournament and place more priority on technical development and the needs of the individual player. The successes of the team are secondary to the interests of the player, and each player develops at a different time and in their own way.

“I think the area is very talented, and we want to give them the most options and resources for them to grow and develop instead of worrying so much about winning,” he said. “Put the fun back into football. When you see Messi play, he’s having fun. When you see Joe Cole score, he’s having fun. We’ve taken a little bit of the fun out of it, and I’m trying to put more of the fun into it and have the kids express themselves and their personalities a lot more.”

He’s only been on the job since mid-February, but Fulk is encouraged by the foundation the group has laid down so far. Changing hard-set mentalities and educating players and parents is what will take some time to achieve, though.

“We’re building from the ground up. I think it takes time. In this day and age, a lot of people don’t want change. They’re set in their ways. We have to be committed to change and put the kids’ best interest as our number one priority. If we do that, we will definitely change the focus from winning at all costs to developing players. Not only developing players, but also developing coaches and CEOs, and ultimately developing people and families to love soccer like they do in the rest of the world.”

Headline below should say ASL, not USL:

(Follow link for full article.)

https://whatahowler.com/when-a-usl-all-star-friendly-with-hakoah-set-a-u-s-attendance-record-56580c3cc21e

When a USL All-Star friendly with Hakoah set a U.S. attendance record

This day in football history

On 1 May 1926, Viennese club Hakoah, on a tour of the United States, played a match against a group of American Soccer League All-Stars at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan. The match drew a crowd of 46,000, setting a U.S. attendance record that would not be broken until after Pelé signed for the New York Cosmos in 1977.

Founded in 1909, Hakoah was an all-Jewish sports club, taking their name from the Hebrew word for “strength.” Their football squad was very successful, finishing second in the Austrian league in 1922, then winning the title in 1925. They frequently toured the world, drawing large crowds in part by attracting spectators from the local Jewish populations.

Hakoah’s 1926 U.S. tour pulled in some of the largest crowds ever to attend football matches in the U.S., with three successive matches drawing 25,000, followed by 30,000, and then 36,000, before setting the record with 46,000 on 1 May.

Hakoah’s opponents on the day were an all-star team drawing from the rosters of the New York Giants and Indiana Flooring. The goalkeeper was the Giants’ Pete Renzulli, who later described Hakoah as having the ball for 87 out of the 90 minutes in the match. The All-Stars, however, made the best of their limited possession, scoring three times off counter-attacks to win 3–0.

Despite the crowds, the tour was a financial failure for Hakoah, reportedly losing over $30,000 for the club. But Hakoah’s players enjoyed the tour so much that many chose to remain in the U.S. and eventually formed a new club named New York Hakoah, who went on to win the 1929 U.S. Open Cup.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/05/02/mls-releases-statement-after-st-petersburg-votes-soccer-stadium

MLS releases statement after St. Petersburg votes on soccer stadium

May 2, 2017 

7:37PM EDT

Ben Couch

Senior Editor
               
Residents of St. Petersburg voted in a Tuesday referendum to advance a proposal allowing the city to pursue an agreement solidifying the Al Lang Stadium site as the future home of a potential MLS expansion team. It passed by more than 20,000 votes, according to the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Web site.

Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards has agreed to fund the MLS expansion fee and an $80 million, 18,000-fan stadium within the footprint of the existing site. The measure was supported by the Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board.

Following the final results, MLS issued the following statement on Tuesday night:

"We are pleased that the people of St. Petersburg support the Rowdies proposal to renovate Al Lang Stadium.  Bill Edwards personally came to our offices in January to submit his expansion application and share his vision. With the passage of the stadium vote, we look forward to working with the Rowdies as they continue to pursue a Major League Soccer team for Tampa Bay."

St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay is one of 12 cities that submitted a bid for an MLS expansion team, and hosted a watch party for Tuesday's vote. MLS plans to announce its next two expansion teams later this year, with another pair to follow, bringing the eventual total to 28 clubs.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2017/05/02/passage-of-st-petersburg-referendum-puts-city-one-step-closer-to-mls/

Passage of St Petersburg referendum puts city one step closer to MLS

May 2, 2017 · by Kartik Krishnaiyer · in Tampa Bay Rowdies    · Leave a comment

The Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Edwards Group released the following statement following the referendum results tonight in St Petersburg.

Analysis below the statement:

The Tampa Bay Rowdies took another important step towards bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Tampa Bay on Tuesday, as St. Petersburg voters approved the Al Lang Stadium referendum by an overwhelming majority with 87% of the votes.

Residents of St. Petersburg came out in significant numbers to support #MLS2StPete and approve the referendum, which gives City Council the authority to negotiate a long-term use agreement for Al Lang Stadium.

“I am grateful to the citizens of St. Petersburg for passing this important referendum,” said Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards. “St. Petersburg is very protective of our incredibly valuable waterfront – as is appropriate.  We have put together a stadium plan that enhances our downtown, is of a scale that is respectful to our waterfront and does not burden the taxpayers.”

The use agreement would allow Al Lang Stadium’s primary purpose to be the home field for a potential Major League Soccer team. The $80 million renovation and expansion will be privately funded and is contingent on being awarded an MLS franchise.

“This vote is clear confirmation that St. Petersburg wants and is ready for Major League Soccer,” said Edwards. “I want to specifically thank the City Administration and Council, the Chamber’s Rowdies Council and all of those Rowdies fans throughout our region who support this great effort.”

The Rowdies hosted a Victory Party at Al Lang Stadium on Tuesday night, where hundreds of fans showed up to celebrate another historic moment in Rowdies history.

“In approving this referendum, voters have not only expressed their support for a longer term agreement at Al Lang Stadium, but have sent a strong message that St. Pete and the entire region are excited about the prospect of the Rowdies joining MLS,” said City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. “The Rowdies’ future in the Sunshine City has never been brighter.”

After the results were made public, The Edwards Group President and former City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker took the stage to celebrate the victory.

“Today is a great day for St. Pete and Rowdies soccer,” said Baker. “The loud and clear message is that our city and region are enthused and ready for Major League Soccer.”

After receiving the positive news, St. Petersburg City Council Chairwoman Darden Rice expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the election.

“I am thrilled with the outcome of the referendum,” said Rice. “This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our city. Our message to MLS is simple: we want you in St. Pete!”

Analysis:

The overwhelming vote will certainly please many around MLS after the recent political setbacks in St Louis and Charlotte. However, challenges still remain for the Rowdies to be one of the four new MLS clubs that will be added. Tampa Bay would be the second Florida side joining Orlando City if they were to gain MLS admission. Leaving Orlando geographically isolated is a concern for MLS, however stronger bids are present currently from two locales in California (San Diego and Sacramento) and San Antonio. At best Tampa Bay would be objectively 4th among potential expansion bids, and I have actually placed them 6th overall.  Only four bids will be selected for MLS admission.

The need for a geographic rival for Orlando though does boost Tampa Bay’s chances. A second Florida team might be strategic to gaining market share in this state for MLS and also cutting into the higher television ratings in this state for European and International football than MLS. Additionally, MLS may not want to have five teams in California and just one in Florida, so it is possible Tampa Bay will jump San Diego or Sacramento on that basis.

This is a long and fluid process and tonight’s referendum does give St Petersburg a boost but as of now, they remain on the outside looking in to the MLS party.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-edwards-referendum-winning-87-percent-vote/

Bill Edwards’ Tampa Bay Rowdies referendum cruises to victory; wins with more than 87 percent support

Mitch Perry

St. Petersburg voters are well on their way to allowing city officials negotiate a 25-year lease with Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards to expand Al Lang Field capacity from its current 7,000 seating structure to 18,000.

With all 93 precincts reporting, the measure is cruising to victory, with 87 percent of residents voting “Yes” compared to 13 percent opposed.

A total of 24,589 voted in support of the measure, with only 3,628 against it; 28,217 ballots were cast in total.

Voter turnout was just under 17 percent — not shocking in a special election with just one issue on the ballot.

The soccer franchise needs that increase in seating capacity for eligibility to join Major League Soccer, the pre-eminent soccer league in America. Currently, the team plays in the United Soccer League.

The Rowdies are one of twelve soccer franchises hoping to join MLS within the next couple of years. The league is expected to announce two expansion teams before the end of 2017, and two more in the future. Construction would only move forward if the MLS chooses the Rowdies to join its league, followed up by a vote by the St. Petersburg City Council approving the expansion.

Although construction plans don’t call for expanding the stadium’s footprint, the St. Petersburg City Charter provides that any portion of the waterfront park property that is sold or leased for private use must be approved by the citizenry through a referendum.

“In approving this referendum, voters have not only expressed their support for a longer term agreement at Al Lang Stadium but have sent a strong message that St. Pete and the entire region are excited about the prospect of the Tampa Bay Rowdies joining MLS,” Mayor Rick Kriseman said minutes after polls closed.

“The Rowdies’ future in the Sunshine City has never been brighter.”

There was little-to-no organized opposition to the measure, in part because it’s not expected to cost taxpayers a cent. Edwards has said that his company would foot the entire $80 million expenditure to upgrade the stadium. Edwards also paid for the $271,000 tab for the referendum.

As part of the 11th biggest media market in the nation, the largest market currently not in the MLS, the Rowdies should get a good look from MLS officials. But Florida Squeeze editor Kartik Krishnaiyer, who writes about soccer, recently declared that Rowdies are not a slam dunk to be invited by MLS.

“On the surface, Tampa Bay is the best market for MLS to grab. But there are drawbacks,” Krishnaiyer writes. “Firstly, MLS might prefer being on the Tampa side of the bay rather than in St. Petersburg. Secondly, the Rowdies proposal for renovation and expansion of Al Lang Stadium is quite frankly substandard by MLS standards. This is despite the fact that the vista where the stadium sits would arguably be the best in the league. Thirdly, Edwards himself is a wild card, unpredictable and in a league whose image-consciousness is often over-the-top, Edwards may not be a clean fit in MLS. Fourthly, MLS would be smart to want a “war on I-4” but perhaps they are fearful the Rowdies would cut into Orlando City’s supporter base.”

That “wild-card” image of Edwards is centered around a legal case over his now-defunct mortgage company, Mortgage Investors Corp., accused of cheating veterans and the public in refinancing VA loans.

“He feels there’s no merit to it and that he’s a veteran himself and he fought in Vietnam and was wounded in the hospital for two years,” said Edwards surrogate and former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker last week at a Suncoast Tiger Bay event. “He believes he’s going to prevail.”

For more than a month, Baker has been making the rounds advocating for the referendum, a campaign that many speculate is a prelude for his own plans to challenge incumbent Kriseman for mayor later this year.

Photos of the Rowdies vote celebration, and renderings of the upgraded Al Lang, are courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rowdies:

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/bigstormbrewing/status/859552589331005440

Big Storm Brewing Co‏ @BigStormBrewing

Cheers to the @TampaBayRowdies for getting one step closer to bringing @MLS to @StPeteFL! #Rowdies #StPete #MLS2StPete

4:38 PM - 2 May 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/788104

Tampa Bay Rowdies Take Major Step in MLS Push as St. Petersburg Residents Vote In Favor of Al Lang Stadium Referendum

By Rowdies Communications, 05/02/17, 7:00PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (May 2, 2017) – The Tampa Bay Rowdies took another important step towards bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Tampa Bay on Tuesday, as St. Petersburg voters approved the Al Lang Stadium referendum by an overwhelming majority.

Residents of St. Petersburg came out in significant numbers to support #MLS2StPete and approve the referendum with 87 percent of the vote, which gives City Council the authority to negotiate a long-term use agreement for Al Lang Stadium.

“I am grateful to the citizens of St. Petersburg for passing this important referendum,” said Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards. “St. Petersburg is very protective of our incredibly valuable waterfront – as is appropriate.  We have put together a stadium plan that enhances our downtown, is of a scale that is respectful to our waterfront and does not burden the taxpayers.”

The use agreement would allow Al Lang Stadium’s primary purpose to be the home field for a potential Major League Soccer team. The $80 million renovation and expansion will be privately funded and is contingent on being awarded an MLS franchise.

“This vote is clear confirmation that St. Petersburg wants and is ready for Major League Soccer,” said Edwards. “I want to specifically thank the City Administration and Council, the Chamber’s Rowdies Council and all of those Rowdies fans throughout our region who support this great effort.”

The Rowdies hosted a Victory Party at Al Lang Stadium on Tuesday night, where hundreds of fans showed up to celebrate another historic moment in Rowdies history.

"In approving this referendum, voters have not only expressed their support for a longer term agreement at Al Lang Stadium, but have sent a strong message that St. Pete and the entire region are excited about the prospect of the Rowdies joining MLS,” said City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. “The Rowdies’ future in the Sunshine City has never been brighter.”

After the results were made public, The Edwards Group President and former City of St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker took the stage to celebrate the victory.

“Today is a great day for St. Pete and Rowdies soccer,” said Baker. “The loud and clear message is that our city and region are enthused and ready for Major League Soccer.”

After receiving the positive news, St. Petersburg City Council Chairwoman Darden Rice expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the election.

“I am thrilled with the outcome of the referendum,” said Rice. “This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our city. Our message to MLS is simple: we want you in St. Pete!”

The Tampa Bay Rowdies need your support as they continue their push to join Major League Soccer. Come out and fill the stands at our next home game on Saturday, May 13, when the Rowdies face Louisville City FC. For tickets, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.

https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/0D005246F8BCAE84?CAMEFROM=CFC_TBROWDIES_WEB_WEBAD_ROWDIESADWEBPAGE

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/05/02/80-million-al-lang-stadium-upgrade-is-a-go-after.html

$80 million Al Lang Stadium upgrade is a go after crucial ballot win

The Tampa Bay Rowdies scored a major win in its quest to become a Major League Soccer team after St. Petersburg voters overwhelmingly approved 87 to 13 percent a referendum allowing the team to enter into a long-term lease with the city at its home, Al Lang Stadium.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://enr.votepinellas.com/FL/Pinellas/68824/186362/en/summary.html

Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections

ST. PETERSBURG

SPECIAL ELECTION REFERENDUM

MAY 2, 2017
   
Active Registered Voters:      168,145

Ballots Cast:      28,469

Voter Turnout:      16.93 %
   
Precincts Reported:     93 of 93

Website last updated 5/2/2017 7:57:32 PM EDT
        
Summary
        
Precincts Reporting
        
Voter Turnout
             
Unofficial Results

Municipality Opted out of Early Voting

Includes Mail Ballots

Does Not Include Provisional Ballots

City of St. Petersburg Referendum Question (Vote for 1)    

Vote Type Summary
   
93 of 93 Precincts Reporting

Percent    Votes

Yes   

87.14%    24,750

No   

12.86%    3,651

28,401

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/05/02/st-pete-voters-give-rowdies-go-ahead-to-negotiate-new-al-lang-use-agreement/2847

St Pete Voters Give Rowdies Go-Ahead to Negotiate New Al Lang Use Agreement

May 2, 2017

by JAKE NUTTING

The Tampa Bay Rowdies’ campaign to move up to Major League Soccer continued to chug along on Tuesday as St. Petersburg residents voted to allow the team and city to negotiate a new 25-year use agreement for Al Lang Stadium. A longterm deal is a necessary part of the team’s proposal to privately fund an  $80 million expansion of the venue in order to bring it up to MLS’s level.

Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards missed Tuesday’s election victory party at Al Lang  due to medical leave to have a pacemaker installed, but he expressed his happiness with the result in a statement.

“I am grateful to the citizens of St. Petersburg for passing this important referendum,” said Edwards. “St. Petersburg is very protective of our incredibly valuable waterfront – as is appropriate. We have put together a stadium plan that enhances our downtown, is of a scale that is respectful to our waterfront and does not burden the taxpayers.”

Early polls indicated the referendum was expected to pass, though the recent setback for St. Louis’ MLS expansion effort in which the group’s stadium proposal was shot down in a narrow vote gave pause to even the most confident backer of Tampa Bay’s plan. Unlike Edwards’ bid, St. Louis’ group was seeking public funds for its stadium.

Tuesday’s result was overwhelmingly in favor of allowing the team to seek a new use agreement and move ahead with its MLS ambitions. 87 percent of just under 28,217 ballots cast approved the referendum.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and former Mayor — and current President of the Edwards Group — Rick Baker took the stage of Tuesday’s watch party to celebrate the referendum’s approval together.

“In approving this referendum, voters have not only expressed their support for a longer term agreement at Al Lang Stadium, but have sent a strong message that St. Pete and the entire region are excited about the prospect of the Rowdies joining MLS,” said Kriseman. “The Rowdies’ future in the Sunshine City has never been brighter.”

St. Petersburg’s City Council will still need to sign off on whatever deal the Rowdies and the Mayor’s office produces. Any deal reached would also be contingent on the team being awarded an MLS franchise. If the Rowdies are not one of the four expansion contenders selected, the planned renovations will not materialize and the use agreement will be nullified.

“I am thrilled with the outcome of the referendum,” said City Council Chairwoman Darden Rice. “This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our city. Our message to MLS is simple: we want you in St. Pete!”

A shovel ready stadium plan would give the Rowdies a leg up on many of their expansion competitors, though MLS will also evaluate other criteria when selecting its next two teams this year and then two more next year. The structure of the ownership group and a market’s dynamics to support the sport will also be considered. Edwards mentioned in January that he has held talks with a handful of investors — both local and out of state — about joining the ownership group, but the team has been quiet about the issue since. Edwards has stated that no matter who comes on board, he intends to remain the team’s principal owner.

MLS released the following stadium shortly after the referendum’s passage was official.

“We are pleased that the people of St. Petersburg support the Rowdies proposal to renovate Al Lang Stadium. Bill Edwards personally came to our offices in January to submit his expansion application and share his vision. With the passage of the stadium vote, we look forward to working with the Rowdies as they continue to pursue a Major League Soccer team for Tampa Bay.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/02/rebecca-lowe-nbc-sports-premier-league

How Rebecca Lowe went from England to become the US's face of football

The TV presenter, who fronts NBC’s Premier League coverage, tells Dave Caldwell about the challenges and rewards of her move across the Atlantic

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2017/5/1/st_petersburg_voters.html

St. Petersburg voters approve Al Lang Stadium expansion

By Al Ruechel, Anchor

Last Updated: Tuesday, May 02, 2017, 7:29 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG --

Voters in St. Petersburg approved a deal to expand downtown's Al Lang Stadium in hopes of attracting Major League Soccer.

    Residents to vote on expansion for Al Lang Stadium
    Those behind effort hope to land MLS team
    Noise, traffic could be concern for some
    City of St. Petersburg Special Election Referendum

For soccer fans, the vote is a no-brainer. An expanded stadium could be a life-line to join MLS. Rick Baker, former mayor and president of the Edwards Group, said it’s a win - win for the city.

"We've got the ownership group, we have an incredible media market, we've got a lot of fan support," he said. "And to go forward, you need a stadium and this is all about trying to get permission so that we can lease that space and build that stadium."

Voters approved a 25-year lease for Al Lang Stadium that would allow Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards and his group of investors to spend $80 million of their own money to renovate and increase seating for the former baseball stadium to 18,000.

Not everyone is a soccer fan, however, and some are worried about noise, traffic, even the ownership group.

"I'd love to see the expansion of that stadium, especially at someone else's expense and not taxpayers, but I have very limited faith in this ownership group," said resident Vince Cocks.

Under the proposal, Al Lang Stadium's capacity would increase to 18,000.

That's why the Edwards Group has pushed so hard to win over the skeptics.

“Once people have the opportunity to see the plan, to hear us talk about it and respond to the plan, as I said before, the vast majority of the people will be for it," Baker said.

Edwards won't be taking part, at least immediately, in any celebration. He is taking medical leave for a pacemaker operation. He said he hopes to be back and ready to push for MLS expansion soon.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/05/02/one-of-st-petes-most-popular-downtown-restaurants.html

One of St. Pete's most popular downtown restaurants expands across the bay

May 2, 2017, 11:23am EDT Updated May 2, 2017, 11:26am EDT

Industries & Tags

Food & Lifestyle

Ashley Gurbal Kritzer

Senior Reporter

Tampa Bay Business Journal

A downtown St. Petersburg restaurant known for its creative menu and avant garde cocktails is planning a second location in suburban Tampa.

The Mill, which opened on St. Pete's Central Avenue in 2015, will open in Brandon later this summer. The restaurant is taking 4,000 square feet at 109 W. Bloomingdale Ave., in a strip center end cap that has been home to a number of shuttered restaurants, including Sluggers Neighborhood Bar & Grill and Big Belly Burgers.

The restaurant will have 180 seats, with 150 inside and 30 outside.

“When people talk about good restaurants in the Bay area, they mention South Tampa, St. Petersburg and Seminole Heights," Jason Griffin, The Mill managing partner, said in a statement. "However, we think that Brandon and their rapidly expanding population deserve the very best and we plan on bringing our passion for food and craft cocktails there."

Griffin and chef Ted Dorsey describe their menu as "rustic Americana," with a focus on seasonal ingredients and craft cocktails. The restaurant was honored by Florida Trend's Golden Spoon awards.

Its current dinner menu features appetizers like southern fried frog legs and a made-in-house charcuterie plate that features octopus bacon and espresso venison pastrami. (There are less adventurous choices as well, like watermelon and feta bruschetta and blue crab croquettes.)

“People instantly bond over food, and when they go out to a restaurant, they want all their senses to come alive," Dorsey said. "I love when I step out of the kitchen and see the smiles and good times from all our patrons in the dining room. It is the connection between people and food that keeps us motivated to do what we do every day."

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/bill-edwards%E2%80%99-tampa-bay-rowdies-referendum-cruises-victory-wins-more-87-percent-support

Bill Edwards’ Tampa Bay Rowdies referendum cruises to victory; wins with more than 87 percent support

SaintPetersBlog

May 2, 2017 - 7:06pm

St. Petersburg voters are well on their way to allowing city officials negotiate a 25-year lease with Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards to expand Al Lang Field capacity from its current 7,000 seating structure to 18,000.

With all 93 precincts reporting, the measure is cruising to victory, with 87 percent of residents voting “Yes” compared to 13 percent opposed.

Full Story: http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-edwards-referendum-winning-87-percent-vote/

(Follow link for full article.)

http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-hosting-referendum-watch-party-al-lang/

Tampa Bay Rowdies hosting Referendum Watch Party at Al Lang

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.newstalkflorida.com/featured/rowdies-hope-for-a-win-at-the-polls-tonight-then-maybe-mls-expansion-soon/

Rowdies hope for a win at the polls tonight then maybe MLS expansion soon

(Follow link for full article.)

http://wfla.com/2017/05/02/st-pete-voting-on-rowdies-stadium-expansion-tuesday/

St. Pete voting on Rowdies stadium expansion Tuesday

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/turnout-very-light-for-rowdies-vote-in-st-pete/2322436

Turnout very light for Rowdies vote in St. Pete

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tbreporter.com/sports-and-recreation/rowdies-score-victory-st-pete-voters/

Rowdies Score Victory with St. Pete Voters

A whopping 87 percent of voters agreed to allow the Tampa Bay Rowdies to renovate and expand Al Lang Stadium.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://wfla.com/2017/05/02/al-lang-stadium-to-be-expanded-after-referendum-vote-passes/

Voters approve Al Lang Stadium referendum, Rowdies take step toward MLS franchise bid

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/05/02/voters-approve-rowdies-mls-stadium-referendum/101221838/

Voters approve Rowdies' MLS stadium referendum