Mayor Kriseman confirms: Rays have ‘formally’ asked to explore the Montreal deal.

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https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2019/10/30/mayor-kriseman-confirms-rays-have-formally-asked-to-explore-the-montreal-deal

ST. PETERSBURG

Mayor Kriseman confirms: Rays have ‘formally’ asked to explore the Montreal deal.

Team officials agree the negotiations to explore playing home games elsewhere have become more serious.

The Tampa Bay Rays are contractually bound to play all their home games at Tropicana Field through the 2027 season, unless St. Petersburg grants the team permission to play elsewhere. [LUIS SANTANA | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG — After the Tampa Bay Rays announced this summer their desire to explore splitting their season by playing home games in the Tampa Bay area and Montreal, and after team and St....

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https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/10/30/rays-advance-talks-with-st-pete-about-partial-montreal-move/

Rays Advance Talks With St. Pete About Partial Montreal Move

What had been brought up conceptually has now risen to the level of specific discussions, as Tampa Bay Rays management is exploring a partial move to Montreal with St. Petersburg officials before the Tropicana Field lease ends in 2027.

That the Rays were floating a split existence between Tampa Bay and Montreal, ideally starting in 2024 when a new Montreal ballpark could be completed, was revealed in June 2019 after MLB is allowed the Rays to explore the concept. Plenty of obstacles would have to be overcome to make the idea a reality, but the plan could include new open-air ballparks in both markets. The open-air designs would result in lower construction costs, while allowing the Rays to plan their schedule around optimal weather conditions–spring and early summer games could be played in the Tampa Bay region, with summer and early fall games in Montreal.

When the plan was first unveiled, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said that he was not yet seeking formal permission from St. Petersburg to scale back the team’s commitment to the Trop. The current Trop lease calls for the team to play all its home games there and prohibits the team from exploring a move elsewhere–a clause temporarily waived when the team embarked on a ballpark site search in neighboring Tampa. In recent meetings between team reps and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, the Rays have indeed officially broached the subject of a split schedule. From the Tampa Bay Times:

But on Wednesday, city policy chief Kevin King said the team has made a formal request to play home games in Montreal before 2027.

“Yes, long ago,” he said by phone, before deferring to the mayor.

Kriseman, shortly thereafter, initially would not confirm the team made a formal request, saying only that the Rays have “clearly expressed their desire to explore a split season with Montreal.”

Kriseman said the request was oral and that nothing has been put in writing. He said he couldn’t remember at what point the request went from “informal” to “formal.” Nor would he say what exactly the team asked for, or any concessions the team offered.

We are not talking about some sort of legalistic process yet, as negotiations are obviously still in a starting phase. And any agreement coming from the mayor’s office would need to be approved by the City Council, which would represent a new level of debate. But the fact that the Rays have moved from concept to something more tangible is certainly noteworthy.

RELATED STORIES: Tampa Should Reopen Rays Ballpark Talks: Mayor; Manfred: Rays’ Split Season Pitch is Way to Keep Team in Tampa Bay; Bronfman: Rays Proposal is Key First Step to MLB Return to Montreal; New St. Petersburg Ballpark Could Factor into Rays Tampa Bay/Montreal Plan; Plenty of Obstacles to Tampa Bay/Montreal Plan; MLB: Rays Can Discuss Tampa/Montreal Split Season; Agreement Reached on Potential Montreal Ballpark Site; Vision for New Montreal MLB Ballpark: Anchor for Mixed-Use Development; Montreal Group Methodically Building Case for MLB’s Return; Political Reaction to Montreal MLB Ballpark Site: Mixed; Site Emerging for New Montreal MLB Ballpark; Report: Support High for MLB’s Return to Montreal; Quebec’s Main Parties Open to Partnering on New Montreal Ballpark

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https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2019/10/31/mayor-kriseman--rays-want-to--formally--look-at-split-season-idea

In order to explore the split season idea, the Rays need the city to allow them to open up the use agreement that bounds the team to play its home games at Tropicana Field through 2027. (Spectrum News image)

Mayor Kriseman: Rays Want To "Formally" Look At Split-Season Idea

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Conversations exploring the Tampa Bay Rays' split-season idea with Montreal may be intensifying.

Rays fans were shocked this summer, and not too happy, to hear about a plan approved by Major League Baseball that would allow the team to pursue splitting its season between St. Petersburg and Montreal.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

Rays have asked to formally explore split-season idea, according to Mayor Rick Kriseman

Kriseman, Rays Owner Meet on Montreal Talks

City Officials Say Rays Haven't Violated Trop Lease Agreement

Montreal group supports idea of sharing Rays with Tampa Bay

Mayor Kriseman on Rays-Montreal: "Getting a Bit Silly"

Sternberg Highlights Rays Success, Struggles Amid Montreal Talks

In order to explore the split season idea, the Rays need the city to allow them to open up the use agreement that bounds the team to play its home games at Tropicana Field through 2027.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Mayor Rick Kriseman said the formal request has not been put into writing as of yet but that the team has asked for permission to pursue splitting home games between Tropicana Field and Montreal.

Both the Rays and Mayor Kriseman's office said negotiations are ongoing.

The St. Petersburg city council would have to approve any agreement allowing the team to begin talks to play anywhere other than the Trop before 2028.

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https://www.nsnews.com/mlb-in-montreal-bronfman-sees-another-positive-step-in-quest-to-bring-team-back-1.23994241

MLB in Montreal: Bronfman sees 'another positive step' in quest to bring team back

Stephen Bronfman speaks to the media about the prospect of Major League baseball returning to Montreal Wednesday, June 26, 2019 in Montreal. A recent admission from the office of the mayor of St. Petersburg, Fla. has put a big smile on the face of Bronfman, the man trying to bring a Major League Baseball team back to Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

MONTREAL — A recent admission from the office of the mayor of St. Petersburg, Fla. has put a big smile on the face of the man trying to bring a Major League Baseball team back to Montreal.

On Wednesday night, the Tampa Bay Times reported that Mayor Rick Kriseman admitted to being formally asked for permission by the Tampa Bay Rays to explore the possibility of playing part of the team's season in Montreal.

"This is another positive step in this story of the possibility of Major League Baseball coming back to Montreal!" said Stephen Bronfman in an email exchange with The Canadian Press Thursday.

Bronfman, who is at the helm of a group trying to bring an MLB team back to the city, has been trying to avoid making waves and rarely comments on decisions taken by the league or the Rays.

Stuart Sternberg, principal owner of the Rays, first talked about the project last June when he said sharing a season with Montreal was the best option for his team. The idea was to have the Rays play half of their 81 home games in Tampa and half in Montreal.

A few days before Sternberg's announcement, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred had said the Rays have "broad permission to explore what's available."

But the project was facing a big obstacle: St. Petersburg's mayor had shot down the two-city possibility last June. The Rays had signed an exclusive lease with the city for all the team's home games until 2027.

Before Wednesday's news it was never clear whether the team had formally asked the city if it could go forward with the project. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the Rays formally requested to share half a season with Montreal before the end of the lease.

It was an oral request from the team, the Times reported, not a written one. The Rays didn't want to comment on the news but last June, Sternberg had mentioned the 2024 season as the start of the potential partnership with Montreal.

The next step for Bronfman's group is to buy a plot of land for sale in Montreal, known as the Peel Basin, where they are hoping to build a 32,000-seat stadium.

Bronfman said last May that real estate development firm, Devimco, would be responsible for the purchase of the land and would partner with his firm to develop the 950,000-square-foot site.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2019.

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https://www.fox13news.com/news/cross-bay-ferry-sets-sail-on-its-inaugural-voyage-ahead-of-fridays-launch

Cross-Bay ferry sets sail on its inaugural voyage ahead of Friday's launch

TAMPA, Fla. - The Cross-Bay ferry will be back for a third year in the Tampa Bay area with its first voyage taking place Wednesday morning -- but it won't open officially to the public until Friday.

First launched as a trial in 2016, the ferry is intended to provide a new way for Bay Area residents to commute between Tampa and St. Petersburg. This time, there is a new docking location at the Tampa Convention Center.

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https://floridapolitics.com/archives/309992-cross-bay-ferry-third-season

TAMPA BAY

Cross Bay Ferry will set sail for third season

Here’s what riders need to know.

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https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/cross-bay-ferry-returns-its-service-between-tampa-and-st-pete/

Cross Bay Ferry returns its service between Tampa and St. Pete

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https://stpetecatalyst.com/kriseman-calls-cross-bay-ferry-a-real-example-of-regionalism/

Kriseman calls Cross-Bay Ferry a ‘real example’ of regionalism

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21095506/new-food-hall-coming-to-st-pete-cephas-hot-shop-closes-and-more-in-tampa-bay-foodie-news

New food hall coming to St. Pete, Cephas Hot Shop closes, and more in Tampa Bay foodie news

Plus, Pelican Pub is back sans the mystery rash.

Closing

Cephas Hot Shop After nearly 40 years in service, the Ybor City Jamaican restaurant is closing its doors at the end of November. Cephas plans on opening a juice and aloe bar inside of Tequila’s Mexican restaurant at 1613 E. 7th Ave. 1701 E. 4th Ave., Ybor City. cephashotshop.com

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https://the18.com/soccer-news/st-louis-mls-stadium-plans-renderings-pics

Sure STL’s Stadium Plan Looks Sweet, But Here’s What Makes It Really Special

ST. LOUIS’ NEW MLS TEAM HOPES TO REVITALIZE AN UNDERDEVELOPED AREA OF DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS.

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https://floridapolitics.com/archives/310220-sundial-to-get-new-food-hall-locale-market-and-other-stores-to-close-at-end-of-year

Sundial to get new food hall; Locale Market and other stores to close at end of year

Construction on the new project will begin early next year.

The people who launched Tampa’s Armature Works are planning to open a new food hall next year at Sundial in downtown St. Petersburg.

The new 25,000-square-foot food hall will force Locale Market, FarmTable Cucina, Wellness Center at Sundial and D-Gallerie Fine Arts to close at the end of the year. The businesses will stay open through the holidays, according to a Sundial news release.

“We are very excited to extend our brand across the bay and into downtown St. Petersburg,” Armature Works co-owner Chas Bruck said in the release. “While we have an ambitious timeline for completion, we look forward to launching this unique food hall experience for the entire community to enjoy.”

Construction on the new project will begin early next year. Crews hope to finish construction by fall 2020.

“When I first developed Sundial, I intended it to be a catalyst for growth in downtown St. Pete,” Sundial owner Bill Edwards said in the release. “Chas [Bruck] and his team created Armature Works to do the same thing for Tampa. I know that in joining forces we will create an incredible gathering place for residents and visitors alike.”

Edwards said two other tenants would come to the Sundial: The Man Cave men’s grooming salon and Italian Idea, an Italian leather goods retailer.

“Other wonderful, exciting tenants will be named in the near future,” Edwards said.

Edwards bought the Sundial for $5.2 million in 2011, when the shopping center was known as BayWalk. Multiple media reports indicate he spent $40 million in May 2014 on Sundial renovations.

Tampa-based restaurant company BE-1 Concepts is behind the new project at the Sundial. The company opened a 73,000-square-foot food and commercial hall inside Armature Works in early 2018, according to several media reports.

BE-1 Concepts also runs several restaurants and food stalls in Tampa, Winter Park, Brandon and Sarasota.

In a partnership between chefs Michael Mina and Don Pintabona, Locale Market and FarmTable Cucina opened in December 2014.

“The last five years has been an incredible experience and we feel honored to have helped shape the food culture in St. Petersburg,” Mina said. “With so many other projects and opportunities in front of me, I felt now was the right time to pass the torch. I am beyond excited to see what Chas [Bruck] and his team have cooked up for this community.”

The AMC Sundial 20 movie theater will stay open. Jackie Z Style Co. will move to the east side of the shopping center.

Related: Sundial owners sue fashion designer over back rent.

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https://stpeterising.com/home/2019/11/1/armature-works-food-hall-to-take-over-a-third-of-st-petes-sundial

Team Behind Armature Works Food Hall to Take Over A Third of St Pete's Sundial

In 2011, Bill Edwards, local businessman and CEO of The Edwards Group, bought the struggling BayWalk shopping center for $5.2 million with a grand vision to turn it into Downtown St. Petersburg’s premier destination to shop, dine and unwind; an oasis in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown center.

In May 2014, after pouring over $40 million into the renovation, Sundial arrived to much fanfare, bringing with it a slew of tenants such as Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sea Salt, Marilyn Monroe Spa, Tracy Negoshian, Diamonds Direct, Chico's and White House Black Market.

Five years after its initial debut, the shopping plaza will undergo a major renovation. BE-1 Concepts, the visionaries behind Armature Works in Tampa, announced today their plans to renovate over 25,000 square feet of Sundial’s 85,357 square foot center.

“We are very excited to extend our brand across the bay and into downtown St. Petersburg,” commented Bruck. “While we have an ambitious timeline for completion, we look forward to launching this unique food hall experience for the entire community to enjoy.”

The Heights Public Market at Armature Works in Tampa

Tampa’s Armature Works is a 73,000 square foot mixed-use commercial space consisting of the Heights Public Market, multiple event spaces, a co-shared workspace as well as multiple restaurants and bars. Since opening 20 months ago inside an old maintenance bay for Tampa Electric trolley cars, Armature Works has been a destination for all locals and visitors to the Tampa Bay region.

As for Sundial, most of the businesses on the property’s west side will be replaced except for Tommy Bahama and Sea Salt. Locale Market, FarmTable Cucina, Wellness Center at Sundial, and D-Gallerie Fine Arts will close their doors. Those parcels and a few additional vacant spaces will be part of the BE-1 Concepts’ new food hall. Jackie Z will be relocating to the east side of the shopping plaza.

Buildout is expected to begin in early 2020 and will look to be completed late 2020. The entire center will remain open throughout the holidays. More details about the project will be released in the future.

Although unconfirmed, we’ve also heard that BE-1 Concepts may have an option to buy the entire shopping center in the future. But take that with a grain of salt.

“When I first developed Sundial, I intended it to be a catalyst for growth in downtown St. Pete. Chas and his team created Armature Works to do the same thing for Tampa. I know that in joining forces we will create an incredible gathering place for residents and visitors alike,” commented Bill Edwards, CEO for The Edwards Group.

Edwards continued, “We are confident this will further elevate Sundial as a destination beyond St. Petersburg. We are also excited to welcome two new tenants, The Man Cave men’s grooming salon and Italian Idea, an Italian leather goods retailer to Sundial. Other wonderful, exciting tenants will be named in the near future.”

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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-canada-cpl/canadian-premier-league-reaching-for-the-stars-idUSKBN1XA1X8

Canadian Premier League reaching for the stars

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https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/10/31/2020-vision-sources-cosmos-apply-to-join-nisa/

2020 VISION: Sources: Cosmos apply to join NISA

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https://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/2019/11/02/a-question-as-the-cross-bay-ferry-returns-what-do-we-get-for-the-money/

TRANSPORTATION

A question as the Cross-Bay Ferry returns: What do we get for the money?

Taxpayers subsidize the service at a much higher rate than other modes of public transportation. But some say the cost will go down with time.

Lightning fans and other riders line up for a Cross-Bay Ferry ride in downtown St. Petersburg. While local taxpayers kick in a relatively small overall amount to subsidize the service, the per person cost for each trip is higher than what they pay for other modes of public transportation.

The Cross-Bay Ferry sailed into its third season this weekend with strong support from political leaders in Tampa Bay.

“The return on investment is incredible,” Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy...

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https://sportstalkflorida.com/mlb/mlb-news/https-wp-me-p81oan-1noz/

It Appears Major League Baseball Has Backed Off On Expansion

No plan at the moment.

There are people in Nashville and in Portland, Oregon who are planning to build state-of-the art 21st century Major League Baseball stadiums in part of a pitch to land a Major League Baseball expansion team. In Montreal baseball backers are trying to figure out if some sort of arrangement can be finalized that will allow the Tampa Bay Rays franchise to split home games between St. Petersburg, Florida and Montreal. There are numerous obstacles to getting a deal done with the St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman not on board with the proposal and a Major League Baseball Players Association not too thrill with the notion either. For those cities that might be interested in landing an expansion team including Nashville and Portland, Oregon along with Las Vegas, the Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has tossed cold water on their hopes.

“To be in a situation where we have unresolved franchise problems and the potential at least for a relocation, to have expansion talks going on at the same time, it’s just too much all at once,’ Manfred said in an interview with Sports Business Daily. Manfred was unclear about the relocation part. Was he referring to Tampa Bay where the owner Stu Sternberg seems to have hit a dead end in his pursuit of getting a new baseball stadium and is stuck in St. Petersburg until 2027? Is Manfred talking about the Arizona Diamondbacks ownership kicking the tires in Henderson, Nevada just 16 miles from Las Vegas? Is Manfred concerned that after a relatively smooth summer of sailing by getting approvals from various agencies, the Oakland A’s ownership could hit a reef in court cases in getting an Oakland waterfront stadium? Manfred has expressed a desire to find two cities which would bring the number of teams to 32 which was MLB’s goal 30 years ago. Problems need to be rectified.

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https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2019-11-02/soccer-san-diego-loyal-usl-crest-landon-donovan-warren-smith-torero-stadium

SOCCER

New minor league soccer team unveils name and crest

San Diego Loyal SC will begin play at USD’s Torero Stadium in March

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https://mnrepublic.com/4211/sports/heres-to-the-soccer-teams-you-never-heard-about/

Here’s to the soccer teams you never heard about

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21095526/the-barterhouse-ybor-citys-newest-bar-and-restaurant-will-open-next-weekend

The Barterhouse, Ybor City's newest bar and restaurant, will open next weekend

Serving up an elevated, yet cozy, hideaway in Ybor.

Ah, the time has come, and Barterhouse is getting ready to make its debut on Sunday, November 10 in Ybor City.

Sitting on the corner at 1811 N. 15th St., just across the street from The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing, the upscale, yet cozy bar and restaurant is set to serve up seasonal dishes with a heavy emphasis on its cocktail program.

Partner Kenneth Emery previously told CL that the concept is paying homage to Ybor's ties with the prohibition era in both decor and drink menu (think mobsters and inventive sips).

Soon enough, locals can slide through and opt for either booth or bar seating in the lounge and bar area. Want to make it a date night? The lights will dim in the dining room starting at 10 p.m., turning the joint into strictly bar service with serious mood lighting.

Wanting to grab a meal before that liquor hits? Barterhouse's menu focuses on sustainability and highlighting the farmers who grow the ingredients being used in the kitchen, and the cooking process will be on display thanks to the open kitchen concept. So far, posted dishes from the preview dinners include Panacea Oysters, protein from Snake River Farms, and fat steaks from Brasstown Beef.

"We want the chefs and the mixologists to have their own stages, that's why the cocktail bar allows for guests to walk up and put in their order, and watch their drink be made before their eyes," Emery explained in a previous interview with CL.

For next week, Barterhouse is hosting pop-up preview dinners for invited guests, but it won't be long until the general public gets their hands on what Ybor City's lastest concept has cooking up.

BARTERHOUSE.COM

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https://stpetersburgfoodies.com/podcast/interview-with-patrick-coleman-of-poppos-taqueria-st-petersburg-foodies-podcast-episode-61/

Interview with Patrick Coleman of Poppo’s Taqueria – St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 61

Interview with Patrick Coleman from Poppo's Taqueria

Welcome to the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 61! Our featured interview today is with Patrick Coleman from Poppo's Taqueria. Poppo's specializes in unique to St. Pete, San Francisco-style, or Mission-style Mexican food. Our musician interview is with Nathan Allen, and we feature his song 'Fire'.

Listen right here with our player above, or use your favorite podcast listening app below.

Patrick and Arthur Coleman

The St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast features interviews with chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, bartenders, and more, and covers the burgeoning food scene in St. Petersburg, Florida. Episodes air every Tuesday.

This episode of the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast is brought to you by Pacific Counter, Salty J's, The Brass Bowl Kitchen & Juicery, Buya Ramen, and Engine No. 9. Please keep them in mind the next time you are hungry for some fantastic food.

Our announcer is Candice Aviles from Food for Thought  and Channel 10 News. Our theme music is provided by The Chris Walker Band.

Links:

Poppo's Taqueria Website

Nathan Allen Music Website

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https://www.ksdk.com/article/sports/soccer/state-inches-toward-sale-of-land-for-mls-stadium/63-f7bb441b-3f8b-4a79-84be-37d179dea64e

SOCCER

State inches toward sale of land for MLS stadium

No purchase price was given in documents considered Monday, though they said the sale is expected to occur on Dec. 1.