Rays leaders and Hillsborough College have reached a preliminary agreement that could bring a new ballpark to the college’s Dale Mabry Campus.
TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is joining MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred as discussions continue over the future home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays.
DeSantis is speaking at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hillsborough Community College, which could be the team’s next home after spending the last season not playing at Tropicana Field.
Rays leaders and Hillsborough College have reached a preliminary agreement that could bring a new ballpark to the college’s Dale Mabry Campus. A non-binding memorandum of understanding was approved, allowing negotiations to move forward.
The proposal outlines a multi-phase redevelopment of roughly 113 acres of the campus and includes a new stadium, hotels, housing, retail space and new academic facilities for the college.
On Wednesday morning, Hillsborough County commissioners are set to discuss 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.
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, is also listed.
Commissioner Harry Cohen said it’s key not to put a burden on property taxes or on money residents pay.
“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.
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