Without concrete funding, plans for the new Rays stadium hang in the balance, and the team’s future in Tampa Bay remains unclear.
Yesterday, Pinellas County Comissioners voted 6-1 to delay a vote to issue bonds that will partially fund the $1.3 billion stadium. A reminder: Pinellas County planned to commit ~$312.5 million in local bed tax dollars to the project, the City of St. Pete pledged $287.5 million, and the Rays would cover $700 million, plus any overage.
Pinellas County Commission chair Kathleen Peters said the delay will give the two new commissioners time to get acclimated, read the communications about the project, and talk to residents. She stressed the magnitude of the decision, calling it “generational change.”
The Commission will vote on the bonds at their next meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
The Commission’s decision follows the Rays’ statement hours before the meeting that “they can no longer move forward with a new stadium deal under the current terms,” which the Tampa Bay Times first reported. Rays’ leadership argued that the construction delay will push back the opening from 2028 to 2029, and the team cannot afford the increased costs.
What’s at stake?
A reminder, the $6.5 billion dollar deal doesn’t just include a new stadium. The stadium is the centerpiece of a massive revitalization of the historic Gas Plant District’s 86 acres. It’s unclear whether the redevelopment of the area would continue without the stadium at the helm.
Here’s a refresher on what’s included:
- 5,400 residential units including 1,250 affordable + workforce housing units
- A pedestrian bridge over I-275
- A new Woodson African American Museum of Florida
- 750 hotel rooms
- 90,000 sqft of conference, ballroom and meeting space
- A library
- 1.4 million sqft of office + medical space
- 750,000 sqft of retail space, including opportunities for small businesses and a grocery store
- 14 acres of green + open space
- A 4,000-6,000 seat concert + entertainment venue
