Phillies pushing for Center City stadium

But vocal opponents to the plan will try to block approval by City Council. The Phillies management and Mayor Ed Rendell are ardent supporters of building a new downtown stadium to energize the area. But State Sen. Vincent Fumo, a Philadelphia Democrat, and many residents in the surrounding area have vocally opposed the plans, citing the extra expense of building in an urban neighborhood and the effects on the community. According to Philadelphia City Council member Darrell Clarke, who represents the area, the major concerns are the increase in traffic and the parking difficulties that may arise with the stadium as a neighbor. But Joe Gilles, director of business development for the Phillies, said the team is busy evaluating the neighborhood issues and the stadium costs. He said that while the team is still "weighing the pros and cons," they feel the downtown site will be best for the city. The Broad and Spring Garden site is clearly the Phillies' preferred choice, but if that falls through they will likely build a new complex in South Philadelphia near Veterans Stadium, where they and the Philadelphia Eagles have played for about 30 years. Both teams received state funding for new stadiums and the Eagles have already decided to build near the Vet. Gilles said that the team could start construction next spring if it receives approval from City Council. But Clarke, while saying he remains open to the plan to build the stadium downtown, said he doubts it will pass through the 16-member Council. "If I were a betting person, I would say it probably wouldn't [happen]," he said. Rendell has been a driving force behind the move to build a stadium in the heart of the city, which he sees as part of his legacy as he prepares to leave City Hall. "[The Broad Street location] would make an already booming Center City a site for a wide range of opportunities," mayoral spokesperson Kevin Feeley said, adding that the stadium "will enhance the experience of being downtown." Baltimore is a prime example of Rendell's vision for how a stadium can help revitalize a city. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, also subsidized by taxpayers, has served as a huge tourist attraction, drawing people to the city for the games who then eat at restaurants, shop at local businesses and stay at hotels. Financing remains an issue among the various groups involved in the stadium project. Originally, plans called for a three-way split in costs between the team, the city and the state. But Rendell recently adjusted his proposal, calling for the team to pay for 40 percent of construction costs. Philadelphia plans to pay for its share by ticket surcharges, increased rental car taxes and tax revenue generated by increased sales downtown. The team and city estimate the cost of a downtown complex to be about $400 million, while Fumo says it will likely be closer to $470 million.

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