Hagan tells Riley that Atlanta is the probable template for a new Rays ball park in Hillsborough County.
Yesterday, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan was a guest on Sports Talk Florida with Rock Riley. Hagan, is one of the most passionate supporters of moving the Tampa Bay Rays to Hillsborough County as soon as possible.
The template for the new Rays stadium would the new Sun Trust Park in suburban Atlanta. According to Hagan he was very impressed with the way Sun Trust Park that was built in a mere two years and four months.
Hagan told Riley that he was impressed with how quickly the area around the park was developed. While it is far from complete it has a number of restaurants, along with some business and apartment complexes open for business and more coming online monthly.
As to where the proposed new Rays stadium would be Hagan, didn’t want to give away any secrets but he did say that somewhere with easy downtown access like Channelside or Ybor City would be prime candidates for the new ball park.
He hoped to bring a plan out soon naming the exact area where the new Rays home would be in Hillsborough County.
While, Hagan was quick to say that he had not spoken with any specificity to Rays owner Stuart Sternberg about his finding, he was going to chat with team president Brian Auld, informally soon.
Hagan was clear that both Sternberg and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rod Manfred were committed to staying in the Bay Area long term. Also, while the Rays have been careful not to upset St. Petersburg it, Hillsborough County, is by far the best place for the team in the long run and that he is committed to bringing the team to Tampa, soon.
Hagan was also very complimentary to the Lightning and the Tampa Sports Commission for landing the 2018 NHL All Star Game.
LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE INTERVIEW BELOW
ALSO YOU CAN HEAR – The Erik Kuselias Show weekday mornings from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on WHBO AM 1040 in the Tampa Bay area.
VIDEO FROM Panasonic.