In a landmark decision, the Tampa Bay Rays have finally received the green light from local governments to move forward with their ambitious plan to build a new government-subsidized ballpark in St. Petersburg, Florida. After months of negotiations and uncertainty, the Pinellas County Commission voted 5-to-2 in favor of committing a sizable amount of $312.5 million from its tourist tax fund towards the $1.37 billion stadium project. This crucial vote sets the stage for the franchise and its development partners to kick off construction early next year, aiming to have the ballpark ready for Opening Day in 2028.
The recent approval from the Pinellas County Commission comes on the heels of the St. Petersburg City Council members giving the green light to a $6.7 billion redevelopment proposal in the city’s Historic Gas Plant District, which will be centered around the new stadium. St. Petersburg has committed $287.5 million towards the stadium and additional funds for related infrastructure upgrades. Furthermore, the city is selling approximately 65 acres of public land below market value to facilitate the agreement. To finance its portion of the project, St. Petersburg intends to issue bonds. On the other hand, the Rays will be contributing a substantial $700 million towards the stadium and will be responsible for any cost overruns, including those related to the surrounding redevelopment.
The proposed designs for the new ballpark include a state-of-the-art pavilion-style roof and retractable walls to provide an open-air experience when weather conditions permit. Currently playing at Tropicana Field, the team’s lease at the venue is set to expire after the 2027 season. The decision to remain in St. Petersburg has dashed hopes of relocating to Tampa, where a significant portion of their fan base resides. Despite their success on the field, with numerous playoff appearances and World Series berths, the Rays have struggled with attendance, averaging only 16,871 fans per game this season – the third-lowest in the league.
The Tampa Bay Rays have been advocating for a new stadium for more than a decade, with previous attempts to explore a split-season arrangement with Montreal. However, after the league rejected this proposition in 2022, the team refocused its efforts on securing a new stadium within the Tampa Bay region. With the recent government approvals and financial commitments in place, the future looks promising for the Rays as they aim to enhance their fan experience and secure a long-term sustainable home for the franchise.