Fire officials express concerns about stadium

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis fire officials have safety concerns about the new Busch Stadium currently under construction, largely because of its location close to a highway.

A major permit for the project has not yet been issued, but city officials and the Cardinals are confident they can resolve the matter as work moves forward.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on its Web site, stltoday.com, that fire officials don't think there is currently enough space between the stadium's south side and Interstate 64 to bring emergency vehicles into the area.

The newspaper obtained a letter from St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George to the city's public safety director, Sam Simon, saying that a major incident either on the highway or at the ballpark would affect the other because they are so close.

"Specifically, the access on the south side of the stadium is severely restricted due to the nearness of the highway," George wrote. "Without Fire Department access to the south side or interior of the stadium, Fire Department operations will be adversely impacted should a major emergency occur at the stadium or on the highway, which could dramatically affect the safety of the stadium patrons and employees, as well as that of the emergency responders."

George's letter indicated the Cardinals have known since last year that the Fire Department had concerns about the plans.

The ballpark has obtained three of four major permits it needs for the project. The Cardinals have excavated the site, put in a foundation and built structural supports.

But the fourth building permit that reads "construct baseball stadium per plans" has not been approved. Other city departments have signed off on the plans, but Fire Department approval still is needed.

Cardinals president Mark Lamping told The Associated Press on Saturday, "This is a very typical situation."

He said permits are not given all at once on a large project and that work was continuing on the stadium, even as the organization was working with fire officials on the matter.

Lamping said he was not concerned about the ballpark's location close to the highway. "We chose an urban, downtown site. It comes with its own unique challenges." He said the organization was committed to creating "the safest possible environment for Cardinals fans."