Rays' New Ballpark Secures Approval with Commission Vote

The Decision That Seals the Future

On Tuesday, the Pinellas County Commission approved the Tampa Bay Rays’ plan for a new $1.3 billion ballpark in the Historic Gas Plant District with a 5-2 vote. This decision marks the end of a 17-year-long quest for a new home for the Rays, bringing relief and excitement to the franchise, fans, and the entire Tampa Bay region.

A Vision Realized

Stuart Sternberg, the principal owner of the Rays, expressed his enthusiasm: “This is quite a momentous day for our franchise, our fans, and the entire Tampa Bay region – the Rays are here to stay in St. Petersburg.” The new stadium aims to blend beautifully with a mixed-use real estate project, creating a vibrant neighborhood ballpark that honors the past while looking to the future.

A Community Effort

The journey to secure the new ballpark was a collaborative effort involving St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, the City Council, and the Pinellas County Commission. Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. commended the teamwork, highlighting the significant role of Stu Sternberg’s relentless efforts. The new ballpark is seen as a transformative project that will greatly benefit St. Pete and Pinellas County.

The Historic Gas Plant District: A New Landmark

The new ballpark will be part of the $6.5 billion Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment. Approved by the St. Petersburg City Council and the Pinellas County Commission, the city will invest $417.5 million, including $287.5 million for the stadium. Pinellas County will contribute $312.5 million from tourist tax revenue.

The Stadium Design

Designed by the Rays and Populous, the new stadium will feature roughly 30,000 fixed seats with a capacity for around 33,000-34,000 for Rays games. It will have an artificial turf field, a tiered fixed roof, and aim to be the most intimate ballpark in baseball. Features include the smallest foul territory and the shortest distance between home plate and the backstop.

A 365-Day Venue

The Rays envision the ballpark as a year-round venue, hosting concerts, festivals, conferences, graduations, and other events. The surrounding Historic Gas Plant District will include housing, office and medical space, retail space, a hotel, a grocery store, senior living, entertainment spaces, an African American history museum, and more.

Bottom Line

After nearly two decades of uncertainty, the Tampa Bay Rays have secured their future in St. Petersburg with a new ballpark that promises to be a landmark and a hub of activity for the community. As the Rays prepare to break ground in January and aim for Opening Day 2028, fans can look forward to a new era of baseball and community engagement in the Historic Gas Plant District.

Excited About the Future of St. Pete?

If the new ballpark and the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment have you thinking about making a move to St. Pete or the Tampa Bay area, my team and I are here to help. Whether you’re looking to explore and understand different neighborhoods or want to learn more about the area's exciting developments, reach out to us at Team@TheNoBSGroup.com. We’d love to be your local guides, showing you why living in St. Pete offers an incredible quality of life and a healthier lifestyle that’s hard to beat.

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