Dec 4, 2024 - Politics

St. Pete Council to vote on bonds for troubled Rays stadium plan

Yacob Reyes

A rendering of the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and redeveloped Historic Gas Plant District. Rendering: Courtesy of Hines/Tampa Bay Rays

The St. Pete City Council will vote Thursday on bonds to finance the city's share of the $1.3 billion stadium deal, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Why it matters: Delays have already put the stadium plan at risk, and the Tampa Bay Rays have said it's all but dead. If the City Council approves the bonds, the Pinellas County Commission will decide the plan's fate.

Catch up quick: The Commission and the St. Pete Council approved an agreement in July for a $1.3-billion ballpark and redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District near the stadium site.

Back-to-back hurricanes stalled the bond votes needed to finance the deal. Then, the County Commission and the City Council punted them again in October and November.
Rays president Brian Auld made clear in November that, from the team's perspective, there's no moving forward with the current agreement. The team hasn't formally withdrawn from the deal, however.

Driving the news: Council members only found out Wednesday that the vote was added to Thursday's agenda, per the Times. This is the City Council's first meeting since its decision to shelve the issue until Jan. 9.

Thursday is one of two meetings in December before new members — who are skeptical of the deal — are sworn in.

What they're saying: Council member Richie Floyd, who opposes the deal, told the Times he is unsure if the last-minute vote means Mayor Ken Welch believes things have changed since the City Council last met.

What's next: The Pinellas County Commission meets on Dec. 17 to decide on its bond contribution.

Add Axios on Google

St. Pete Council to vote on bonds for troubled Rays stadium plan

More Tampa Bay stories