Pinellas County Commissioners Approves Deal to Build a New Tampa Bay Rays Stadium

The Tampa Bay Rays have secured the government support to construct a long-sought-after ballpark, thanks to the approval from Pinellas County Commissioners on Tuesday for the west-central Florida county’s share of the funding for the 30,000-seat stadium. The county voted 5 2 in favor of allocating around $312.5 million for their portion of the stadium expenses funded by a bed tax, a tax designated only for tourist-related and economic development expenses. Earlier this month, St. Petersburg City Council also approved $417.5 million for the stadium.

The new $1.3 billion ballpark ensures that the team will remain in place for at least three decades. It is part of a $6.5 billion revitalization initiative that aims to revamp an 86-acre area in downtown featuring plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, a hotel, green spaces, entertainment venues well as office and retail establishments. Additionally, this project is expected to create employment opportunities.

Commissioner Janet Long emphasized that this new Tampa Bay Rays’ Ballpark endeavor transcends beyond being a baseball stadium; it has the potential to evolve into a premier tourist destination if executed thoughtfully. “It’s an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime ”

The majority of the projects funding will come from a collaboration between the Rays and Hines, a development company based in Houston. The completion of this endeavor is expected to span decades.

Despite making it to the playoffs for five years the Rays continue to struggle with low attendance figures compared to other MLB teams. Presently holding a record of 54-52 this season they stand at place in the American League East division.

When will the new Tampa Bay Rays’ ballpark debut?

The new ballpark is set to debut in time for the 2028 season. This marks the end of years of uncertainty surrounding the Rays future, which included relocations to Tampa, Nashville or even a split schedule, between St. Petersburg and Montreal. An idea dismissed by Major League Baseball.

The current site occupied by Tropicana Field and its sprawling parking lots was home to a Black community displaced during the construction of both the ballpark and an interstate highway. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch aims to address some injustices, within what’s now referred to as the Historic Gas Plant District.

The proposed new Tampa Bay Rays’ Ballpark plan is one of ongoing construction and renovation projects happening at sports venues nationwide. Teams, like the Milwaukee Brewers, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Athletics (who are eyeing a move to Las Vegas) are also involved in initiatives. Public funding is a thread among these projects sparking opposition from groups like No Home Run and Americans for Prosperity.

Not all commissioners agreed to the deal. County Commissioner Chris Latvala despite being a baseball fan with memories of supporting the Rays opposed the project. He expressed his desire for baseball to remain in the area. Questioned the hefty price tag; “Is a $1 billion public subsidy for a billionaire worth it? I can’t endorse that.”

A group of citizen called No Home Run and various other organizations objected to the new Tampa Bay Rays’ Ballpark agreement. Americans, for Prosperity, a / group argued that the history of publicly funded sports stadiums has not been promising.