St. Petersburg Considers Redeveloping Al Lang Stadium Site for Arts District

Proposed Redevelopment of Al Lang Stadium

• 🏟️ The City of St. Petersburg is exploring a significant redevelopment of the Al Lang Stadium site, with proposals to replace it with new facilities.
• 💡 City staff presented plans for a new center for the arts district south of the pier, aiming to plan for growth and give the waterfront area an identity.

Phase One and Phase Two Plans

• 🏛️ Phase one includes an expansion of the Dolly Museum, improvements to the Mafy Theater, a new plaza, a conference center with retail, and a parking garage.
• 🎭 Phase two involves demolishing Al Lang Stadium to build a 3,000 to 4,000 seat amphitheater and a waterfront park, along with a new facility for the Florida Orchestra.
• 🗓️ Construction timelines are ambitious, with phase one starting this year and concluding in 2030, and phase two running from 2028 to 2038.

Council Member Concerns and Alternatives

• ⚠️ Council member Gina Driscoll expressed strong reservations about tearing down Al Lang Stadium, suggesting a movable stage as a more flexible and potentially cheaper alternative.
• ⚽ This alternative would allow for flexibility to host both soccer games and concerts at the stadium.

Economic Impact and Rowdies' Future

• 💰 The projected economic impact during construction is estimated at $445 million.
• ⚾ The plans were presented shortly after the Tampa Bay Rays abandoned a new stadium deal. City staff are aware of the Al Lang redevelopment plans and are working on a two-year lease renewal for the Rowdies, whose current lease is up this year.
• 🤔 The future location for the Rowdies, should the redevelopment plan proceed as is, remains unknown.