ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – Voters will decide whether or not to expand Al Lang Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Rowdies play.
St. Pete residents headed to the polls Tuesday to vote on the referendum.
Earlier this year, St. Petersburg City Council members approved putting the referendum on a ballot.
The vote is a huge step for the Rowdies, who have been fighting for a bid to join Major League Soccer.
Downtown resident Walter Dill supports the expansion. Dill lives in Bayfront Towers, across the street from the stadium.
“I’m looking forward to the expansion and some of the good rivalries we have here,” he said.
Terri Mclemore was on the fence, before she decided to support the expansion.
“They [city officials] did a great job, talking about how they’ve already done a lot of the leg work and a lot of the concerns regarding traffic and how to alleviate big problems during the Rowdies season,” said Mclemore.
If the vote passes, talks of terms of a use agreement will begin.
Rowdies owner and partners will spend $80 million on upgrades, turning Al Lang Stadium into an 18,000 seat arena.
Bob Lieb, who also lives in Bayfront Towers, is more concerned about how the stadium will be used, during the Rowdies off season.
Lieb voted “no” on the referendum.
“Our feeling is there could be a lot of concerts,” said Lieb. “We’re worried about the decimal level. We’re worried about the frequency of the concerts that are being played.”
He believes traffic, parking and noise will be major issues, living so close.
“Unfortunately, it can only be addressed, only after the fact,” he said.
The Rowdies have been active on social media encouraging people to vote yes. Fans joined the Rowdies Tuesday at a referendum watch party at Al Lang Stadium.
Referendum results are posted on the county’s website.
