Commercial Development News - Appraisal Development International

Pinellas gives Toytown developer another year
By David DeCamp
St. Petersburg Times
Published: Jun 2, 2009

CLEARWATER -- Bear Creek Capital of Ohio will get another year to study how to build on the old Toytown landfill.

The Pinellas County Commission unanimously voted today to give Bear Creek more time to investigate the challenges with building on the 240-acre, closed landfill. The company had faced a July 1 deadline.

Bill Tippmann, a partner in the company, said there was "merit" in building a baseball stadium at the site -- a point of speculation as the Rays seek a new home. However, no such talks have taken place, Tippmann said.

The developers blame the bad economy and questions over development regulations for the delay, although reports show the Ohio company has had its own financial issues. Local partners also went unpaid until recently.

The company's initial plans include a offices, shops and homes at the old dump on the northeastern edge of St. Petersburg. But difficulties supporting large structures atop the landfill could raise costs and risks to the aquifer below to the point hopes are dashed for a ballpark.

But Tippman said the company is more optimistic than expected after initial environmental reviews.

"It's not unfeasible they could build to be able to support the baseball stadium," Tippmann said. "There needs to be more study."