ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WWSB) – The St. Petersburg City Council formally killed plans Thursday for a new stadium complex for the Tampa Bay Rays, four months after the team pulled out of the deal.
In a unanimous vote, the Council approved a termination agreement on the deal to build a $1.3 billion stadium and develop the land around it into the Historic Gas Plant District.
The Council did approve agreements for the Rays to use city-owned land around Tropicana Field for parking and other uses.
In March, the Rays anounced they could not go forward with the Gas Plant District plan. “After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment.”
The Rays have been pursuing ideas to get a new stadium in St. Petersburg or in Tampa.
Complicating matters is the recent announcement that a deal to sell the team to a group of investors led by a Jacksonville developer may be finalized as early as September.
Meanwhile, the city continues work to repair the roof of Tropicana Field, which was shredded by Hurricane Milton last fall.
The roof installation crew is currently installing netting that will be used as their work platform, Samantha Bequer, a public information office with the city, said via email.
The city says it hopes to have work completed in April of next year, perhaps in time for the Rays’ 2026 season.
The city has a lease agreement that binds the team to playing at Tropicana Field through the 2028 season, regardless of who the owners are.
The St. Petersburg City Council had originally voted to authorize more than $23 million to repair Tropicana Field’s roof, which was ripped off during Hurricane Milton.
The Tampa Bay Rays will play the 2025 season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the Spring Training home of the New York Yankees.
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