The Tampa Bay Rays are headed back to a repaired Tropicana Field in April while their new owners hunt for a permanent home — and St. Petersburg scrambles to reimagine the 86-acre site that could soon be up for grabs.
Mayor Ken Welch postponed until January a 30-day window for Gas Plant District redevelopment proposals after City Council members balked at the rushed timeline. At least four groups want in, including billionaire John Catsimatidis, whose company built St. Petersburg’s tallest tower.
Tropicana Field repairs remain on schedule, with 20 of 24 roof panels installed after Hurricane Milton shredded the dome. New Rays CEO Ken Babby pumped up fans Nov. 12, vowing a winning team and promising a new stadium by 2029.
Trop repairs on track for Rays’ April return
Tropicana Field repairs are progressing on schedule and within budget, with the damaged dome expected to be ready by late February — well ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays’ April 6 home opener, a city official said.
Twenty of 24 roof panels have been installed following Hurricane Milton’s destruction last year, and the remaining panels should be up next week, City Development Administration Managing Director Beth Herendeen told the Tampa Bay Times.
St. Petersburg’s City Council has approved $59.7 million for repairs and expects no additional expenses. The city received $7.65 million from insurance and is negotiating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for reimbursement. The city took out a $50 million loan for hurricane-related costs, including $50,000 in tariffs on roof materials manufactured in Germany and assembled in China.
The Rays are paying for upgrades beyond standard repairs, including renovation of corporate offices inside the stadium, according to the Times. The team has not disclosed its spending total.
The Rays played the 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa and plan to return to the Trop through 2028.
Mayor delays window for Trop development bids
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said Nov. 12 he will delay until January accepting alternative proposals to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District, which includes Tropicana Field, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Welch sent a memo to City Council members explaining the 30-day window for submissions will begin Jan. 4 instead of mid-November, yielding to pressure from six of eight council members and developers who complained about the compressed timeline.
The mayor told prospective bidders to follow 23 guidelines from his 2022 request for proposals, except the requirement for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. He said the team’s “abdication” of long-term stadium talks “have provided more clarity” for the district’s future.
“I do not believe reissuing an RFP is necessary or beneficial,” Welch wrote, according to the Times. Development goals include jobs, housing, resilience, green space and recognition of the Black community that preceded the stadium.
The delay is the latest reversal by Welch under community pressure. He recently backed plans to revive the Science Center after a unanimous council vote.
The Rays reportedly prefer a stadium in Tampa or Hillsborough County.
Developer of St. Pete’s tallest tower eyes Trop site
The billionaire behind St. Petersburg’s tallest building wants to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District that includes Tropicana Field, joining at least three other groups vying for the 86-acre site.
John Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Real Estate and developer of the Residences at 400 Central, told Mayor Ken Welch and City Council members in a letter Friday that his company could transform the property with market-rate and affordable housing, quality amenities and jobs, the Tampa Bay Times reported.
Catsimatidis urged Welch to extend the 30-day window for proposals beyond November, calling the timeline insufficient for competitive pitches. He is one of Welch’s biggest donors; Red Apple contributed $25,000 in May to a political committee supporting the mayor.
Other bidders include investor Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest partnering with Ellison Development, the Pinellas County Housing Authority and local investor Thompson Whitney Blake, who offered $260 million cash for the property, according to the Times.
Council member Richie Floyd has requested at least 90 days for submissions and a detailed request for proposals with specific criteria and benchmarks.
New Rays CEO pumps up fans, vows winning team
New Tampa Bay Rays CEO Ken Babby told several hundred fans Wednesday night the ownership group is committed to winning and delivering a world-class experience while counting down 145 days until the April 6 home opener at a repaired Tropicana Field.
“The best is yet ahead, and we cannot wait to get started,” Babby said at a meet-and-greet at Ferg’s Sports Bar, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The new owners bought everyone in the crowd a beer.
Babby said the group’s top priority is building a new stadium by 2029 on a site covering more than 100 acres with a surrounding development. The ownership group is conducting feasibility studies on sites throughout the region, including the Hillsborough Community College campus near Raymond James Stadium.
The Rays are paying for Tropicana Field upgrades including a new video board, sound system and fan amenities beyond the city’s repairs, according to the Times. Babby said the upper deck will open at some point during the 2026 season.
Managing partner Patrick Zalupski previously said, “the economics of the team really haven’t changed,” suggesting payroll will remain around $80 million.