There’s still a long way to go, but it looks like the Rays are officially moving to Tampa in 2029. And to our surprise, it looks like the future stadium is going to be built outside of the Ybor/Channelside district, expanding the range of districts in Tampa.
Hillsborough Community College (now named Hillsborough College,) reached an agreement with the Rays to move forward on a new partnership. The Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday for a plan that lays out the framework on a deal that would tear down some of the buildings of the school and provide for the construction of a new campus on the Southwest corner of a 113 acre parcel of land bordering Louis Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway. Apart of this property would live the baseball stadium that the Rays would lease from. And we’re not talking about having to re-do this process in another 20-30 years. This lease agreement would keep the Rays in Tampa for at least 99 years.
According to WFLA, if approved, the document says the Rays “will construct a mixed-use development that may consist of, but is not limited to, hotels, retail space, multifamily buildings, sports and health related buildings, commercial buildings, parking structures, restaurants and other related buildings.” The team would retain control of the mixed-use development once construction is complete.
HC President Ken Atwater believes this is going to be a great trade off for students. The door for students in the hospitality program, or service program will have opportunities for them right across the street right after they graduate, and can build those relationships while at HC.
So far, there is no specific plans for the Rays stadium, but the document did state that if public funding does become involved, that ownership would then go to Hillsborough County.
So do you think this is the prime location for the Rays? And can they turn this section of Midtown/Dale Mabry into a mini Battery Park like in Atlanta?