The stadium would be built between the airport and Raymond James stadium.

TAMPA, Fla. — The Dale Mabry Highway is busy enough. 

In a matter of years, it may get even busier if the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed new stadium at Hillsborough College comes to fruition.

“It’s going to be awesome,” Andres Farfan, owner of Riveters Tampa and Boda Authentic Mexican Restaurant, said.

Recently, crowds have packed his business, especially during Sunday night’s victory for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Indiana Hoosier’s college football national championship win. Sales doubled on game days when the Rays played at Steinbrenner field.

The proposed stadium at Hillsborough College would sit about a mile away.

“It’s a huge economic impact, not only for small business owners but for all the people that work here around this area,” Farfan said.

The ongoing talks come as some high-stakes meetings will take place this week. 

On Tuesday morning, Gov. Ron DeSantis will be at HC to meet with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. On Wednesday morning, Hillsborough County commissioners are set to discuss about the Rays, including options to fund the potential stadium.

The team would pay for at least half the stadium cost, according to an agenda posted for the commission meeting.

Most of the proposed funding sources would be paid for by visitors, not residents, according to the agenda.

Some options include the tourist development tax, which is paid through hotels and lodging. Future revenue from the community investment tax without impacting transportation or public safety projects, as well as Community Redevelopment Agency property tax increment revenue generated by new development in the Drew Park CRA are also listed.

Commissioner Harry Cohen said it’s key not to put a burden on property taxes or on money residents pay for.

“The options that have been discussed for the most part for the most part are very, very much impacted by visitors,” Cohen said. “We are going to see if this is something that we can make work, but it has to be done with protection for taxpayers.”

DeSantis has previously said the state would not finance the stadium but could help with infrastructure improvements like traffic and road upgrades.

No matter how negotiations shake out, Farfan said he believes local leaders are capable of making the development happen the right way.

“Tampa has this dialed in. They know how to transfer,” Farfan said. “I think people are really going to like it, and I think the city is really going to benefit from it.”