Pinellas County gives final approval on Rays new stadium in 5-2 vote

Rays stadium project approved by Pinellas County

Genevieve Curtis reports

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays got the final approval on Tuesday from Pinellas County Commissioners to begin construction of their new stadium and what will ultimately be the largest land development deal in the county’s history.

Earlier this month, St. Pete signed off on their portion of the funding agreement. County Commissioners did the same in a 5-2 vote, agreeing to contribute $312.5 million that will come from tourism tax revenues.

READ: St. Pete City Council approves proposed Rays stadium in historic vote, ending decades-long saga

The Rays hoped to get the final go-ahead from the county quickly to keep with their current timeline that calls for construction to begin in the new year and for the Rays to play in their brand-new home by 2028.

As in the city vote, commissioners did not give the deal unanimous approval.

St. Pete Council approves Rays stadium in historic vote

In a historic vote, the St. Pete City Council approved a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays for a state-of-the-art new ballpark in the city.

In a workshop last week, Commissioner Dave Eggers criticized several parts of the funding plan, including a stipulation that will allow the Rays to use taxpayer funds from the county’s CRA to pay down their own debts for the new $1.37 billion ballpark.

Rendering of new Rays ballpark.

"I’m not interested at all in the leftover money being used to pay off the team’s debt for crying out loud," said Eggers. "That doesn’t make any sense."

However, one commissioner who voted yes said the project also honors Black residents of the former Gas Plant District who were displaced by the original deal for Tropicana Field. Another said the economic development opportunity was too great to pass up.

Pinellas commissioners debate Rays stadium deal

Pinellas County commissioners held their first meeting Thursday on the proposed development in St. Petersburg, including a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. If approved, the county would contribute more than $300 million to the project.

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch, who worked closely with the Rays on the plan, called it an economic boom for the entire region. In addition to raising more bed tax revenue for the county, Welch said the $6 billion development will create tens of thousands of jobs and much-needed affordable housing.

"We're shooting for a unanimous vote because this makes so much sense for our county and our city moving forward in terms of economic benefit, in terms of keeping the rays here," said Welch.