In December I posted that the Rays were one of four groups that met a deadline to submit a proposal to redevelop the area where Tropicana Field now sits.
From that post: “Their proposal includes a new stadium, housing with 5700 multi-family units, 1.4 million square feet of office, 300,000 square feet of retail, 700 hotel rooms, 600 senior living residences and a 2,500 (seat) capacity entertainment venue.”
The entertainment venue was upped to 5000 seats. The area was once a black business and residential area—now in the plan is an African-American museum. The housing is to be “affordable”…and today the Rays proposal was the one selected by the St Petersburg mayor’s office.
So…the mayor and Stuart Sternberg are on the same page—done deal, right? Not so fast. That’s a positive step, certainly, but there’s one “tiny, little detail.” Who’s paying for what? How much by St Pete (taxpayers)? How much by Pinellas County (taxpayers)? How much, if any, by the state (taxpayers)? How much by the Rays? How much by other investors/private entities?
The new stadium is to open for the 2028 season. The lease at Tropicana ends at the end of 2027. However, stadiums aren’t built overnight. Tropicana has to razed and cleared first too. Thus, for a year or two, the Rays will have to play elsewhere if all this does come to pass.
More to come, of course.
Fan Interference 