TAMPA, Fla. — Neighborhood groups continue to stress they want to be part of Tampa Bay Rays stadium talks going forward.
On Wednesday night, Rays CEO Ken Babby answered questions from the Drew Park community advisory committee.
The team’s new stadium and surrounding mixed-use development would be built in the neighborhood near Raymond James Stadium, if it gets final city and county approval.
Babby fielded some questions on affordable housing, which he said would be addressed as part of the community benefits agreement.
The leader of another nearby neighborhood group said lack of parking is just one of his concerns.
“We have to be at this table to be able to represent this community benefits agreement,” said Jaime Jones, West Tampa Heights Neighborhood Association President. “But also, during the development process, we should have a say in the design, how the development fits together with our existing neighborhood.”
It’s proposed that $100 million from the Drew Park community redevelopment area would be bonded and contributed to pay for roads, utilities, and more as part of the project.
The Rays ownership reached an tentative agreement earlier this year with Hillsborough College to build the stadium and mixed-use entertainment district on the college campus and to renovate some of the college’s buildings. The property is located next to the New York Yankees’ spring training facility and across a highway from Raymond James Stadium, home of the Bucs.
Rays officials have stressed they want to be in the new building in time for the 2029 season.