Skip slogging through your email this morning — or don’t. We’ll get you up to date on the biggest local government headlines.
Spoiler: They’re not all about the Rays.
Florida officials give Rays 22 acres
It’s official, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted to give the Rays 22 acres of state land to build a new stadium. But construction on the mixed-use development must start within the next five years, or the state takes back control.
The Rays hope to have the new Dale Mabry ballpark ready by opening day 2029, but there’s still funding, construction, and a whole host of other issues to sort out first.
New Ybor safety upgrades
Tampa police and city mobility leaders just shared incoming safety upgrades for Ybor City, following last fall’s crash into a local bar.
What’s on tap? The plan includes rebricking 7th Avenue to slow drivers, installing short, sturdy posts at high-volume intersections, adding 36 on-street parking spots to narrow the roadway, and lowering the speed limit on 7th Avenue from 30 mph to 25 mph.
Some of these improvements will take a bit, but the new speed limit should be in place within the next week or so.
Sprowls Horizon Sports Park opens
Spring Training is back — in more than one way.
Pinellas Park’s massive new Sprowls Horizon Sports Park finally opens this weekend. The facility boasts six Major League spring training-inspired fields. And that’s not all, the complex also features a street hockey rink, a multi-purpose field, concessions, and a tiki bar.
The grand opening party this weekend is booked out with a radio broadcast, hockey tournament, baseball clinics, kickball games, and a Hall of Fame ballplayer signing.
