ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A high-ranking official in Pinellas County is urging the Tampa Bay Rays to clarify their intentions regarding a proposed financing plan for a new $1.3 billion stadium. Kathleen Peters, chair of the Pinellas County Commission, communicated in a letter to the Rays’ leadership that the county requires a definitive answer by Sunday on whether the team intends to proceed with the project. This decision is particularly crucial as the commission is set to vote on financing bonds on December 17 that would contribute to the ballpark’s funding.
The urgency of Peters’ letter comes after the Rays expressed concerns that the timeline for their financing plan may be at risk due to a postponement of the scheduled vote on bonds, originally planned for October 29. Complicating matters further, the St. Petersburg City Council also delayed its vote regarding its portion of the stadium financing.
In addition to these financial uncertainties, the situation has been exacerbated by Hurricane Milton, which severely damaged the roof of Tropicana Field, rendering it unusable. In her correspondence, Peters emphasized that Pinellas County has been operating in good faith throughout the negotiation process, particularly in light of the challenges posed by recent hurricanes. “If the Rays wish to exit the current agreement, we respect that decision,” she stated, stressing the importance of clear communication regarding their future actions in the partnership.
Brian Auld, co-president of the Rays, responded with optimism, stating that the team remains committed to finding a solution. “We are enthusiastic about working collaboratively with our partners to ensure Major League Baseball continues in the Tampa Bay area for many generations,” Auld commented, reaffirming the team’s intent to maintain open lines of communication with both the city and county as planning for the future unfolds.
The proposed stadium, which would accommodate 30,000 fans, is intended to be the cornerstone of a larger downtown revitalization initiative dubbed the Historic Gas Plant District. This undertaking aims to redevelop an area that was historically home to a predominantly Black community before being displaced by the construction of both Tropicana Field and a highway extension. The district plans to feature not just the stadium, but also hotel facilities, retail spaces, affordable housing, a Black history museum, and other developments.
As part of the financing arrangement, the city and county would contribute approximately half of the total costs for the stadium, while the Rays would be responsible for the rest, including any potential cost overruns. Earlier this year, both governmental bodies greenlighted the entire $6.5 billion project, but the bonds necessary to fund the ballpark remain unapproved.
Due to the hurricane’s impact on Tropicana Field, the Rays have also arranged to play the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, which is normally the spring training home for the New York Yankees. St. Petersburg officials estimate that restoring the Trop will cost around $55.7 million, with hopes of having it operational by the 2026 season, although achieving that timeline remains uncertain.
Despite the hurdles, Peters indicated in her letter that there is still an opportunity for the current stadium proposal to advance if the financing bonds are successfully passed. She reassured that the deadline for submitting the bonds is March 31 and clarified that the county does not view the deal as terminated. Additionally, she noted that both the city and the county cannot withdraw from the agreement as long as the new stadium is completed by February 1, 2030.
