TALLAHASSEE, Fla. St. Petersburg civic leaders, seeking to findmore money to complete a domed baseball stadium to attract a majorleague team, have gone to Gov. Bob Martinez for help.
Martinez, however, said he wanted to see a commitment from ateam before promising assistance. "I suggested they have a signedcontract for the move of a team because Florida cities areperiodically used by teams as leverage," Martinez said Thursday.
City leaders would like to push up the completion date of thestadium to lure the White Sox for the 1989 season, but they areapparently short some $20 million. The 43,000-seat stadium, underconstruction, was to have been paid for by an $85 million bond issuebacked by city and county taxes.
White Sox officials, who are unhappy with their situation ataging Comiskey Park and with efforts by Chicago city leaders to builda new park, toured the St. Petersburg stadium last week.
City officials and other stadium supporters met with PinellasCounty legislators Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sen. Curt Kiser (R-Palm Harbor) said local legislators wouldhelp push for state money to finish the stadium if negotiations withthe White Sox or any other team reached a critical stage.
Some lawmakers were not as eager to use state money to help lurebig league baseball to the state. "I don't like the principle of thestate spending money on stadiums," said Sen. Mary Grizzle (R-BelleairShore).
Senate President John Vogt (D-Merritt Island) said 1988 is thewrong year to look at providing state money for the stadium.
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