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<\/p>\nTAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Hillsborough College trustees took a formal first step Tuesday toward a possible Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Hillsborough County and a major redevelopment of the college\u2019s Dale Mabry campus.<\/p>\n
WATCH: Chad Mills’ full report<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay Rays, Hillsborough College take first step toward possible new stadium<\/p>\n
In a unanimous voice vote, the board approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Rays, which sets the stage for negotiations on a long-term partnership and a potential new home for the team.<\/p>\n
The Rays released a statement regarding the vote.<\/p>\n
Watch video of meeting<\/p>\n
Rays Hillsborough College meeting<\/p>\n
The Rays have been searching for what new-CEO Ken Babby calls a \u201cforever home\u201d for years, and Babby said the Hillsborough College site seems to check all of the boxes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe, with conviction, that we\u2019re going to be able to create a world-class work-live-learn-play development here in Tampa Bay,\u201d Babby said.<\/p>\n
Under the concept outlined during the meeting, the college would be rebuilt and modernized in the southwest corner of the property, a Major League Baseball stadium would sit in the southeastern portion, and the northern part of the campus could include shops, restaurants, and housing.<\/p>\n
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Rays <\/p>\n
According to Babby, the project would create 12,000 new jobs and a $34 billion of economic impact.<\/p>\n
Some community members spoke in favor of the idea during public comment.<\/p>\n
Joe Robinson, with the West Tampa Community Development Corporation, believes the project would be a major economic boost for the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis could be a sports corridor,\u201d he said. \u201cA destination.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others urged caution.<\/p>\n
Hillsborough College faculty member Josh Courson questioned whether the project would ultimately serve students or put a strain on affordability in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ask you to consider who this deal really serves,\u201d Courson said.<\/p>\n
College president Ken Atwater responded later by emphasizing potential benefits for students if the project moves forward, including internships, workforce development, and career-connected education.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis partnership represents a transformational opportunity for Hillsborough College, and most importantly, for the student experience,\u201d he said, in part. \u201cIt\u2019s a positive situation from our perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the vote, leaders on both sides stressed that the deal is still in its early stages.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest unanswered questions is cost.<\/p>\n
Babby declined to provide details on how a stadium and redevelopment might be financed, including how much local governments could be asked to contribute and how much the Rays would pay.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019ll be plenty of time to work through those details,\u201d Babby said.<\/p>\n
Cost isn\u2019t the only obstacle.<\/p>\n
According to the MOU, part of the property is subject to state deed restrictions that limit its use to junior college purposes. Any stadium or mixed-use development would require those restrictions to be changed or removed.<\/p>\n
With the MOU approved, formal negotiations now begin.<\/p>\n
The Rays and Hillsborough College say they hope to bring a final, binding agreement back for consideration within 180 days, though the final product will also depend on city, county, and other regulatory approvals.<\/p>\n
Tampa Bay 28 received a copy of the MOU ahead of Tuesday afternoon\u2019s District Board of Trustees meeting.<\/p>\n
47192734-HC MOU (DRAFT) <\/a> by Tampa Bay 28 <\/a> <\/p>\n The agreement calls for the college to lease most of the property, bounded by West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, North Lois Avenue, West Tampa Bay Boulevard and North Dale Mabry Highway, to the Rays for at least 99 years.<\/p>\n
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