Rays stadium deal: Tampa and Hillsborough votes set for this week
Rays stadium faces make-or-break votes this week
An agreement for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Tampa appears to be rounding third and heading toward home plate. FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - The proposed deal to bring a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium to Tampa is heading toward two key votes this week that could clear the way for the project to move forward.
Tampa City Council is scheduled to consider the Rays' proposal Thursday. Hillsborough County Commissioners are expected to take up the agreement during a special meeting Friday.
RELATED: Crucial agreement made in Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal in Tampa, votes next week
If both governments approve the proposal, the Rays would have the approvals needed to move toward construction at the Hillsborough Community College North Dale Mabry campus, according to Commission Chair Ken Hagan.
"Friday was certainly a monumental day. Again, having worked on this for nearly 17 years, we've never been this close to a ballpark agreement," Hagan told FOX 13 Monday.
Tampa Bay Rays stadium proposal
What we know:
The Rays submitted their latest proposed contract to Tampa and Hillsborough County ahead of a Friday 5 p.m. deadline.
PREVIOUS: Rays select builder as funding debate continues for proposed Tampa stadium
The updated agreement establishes a financial framework for the $2.3 billion stadium project. Hillsborough County would remain responsible for approximately $800 million, while the City of Tampa would contribute $80 million. The team would cover a little more than half of the estimated cost.
The city would take out a loan for its contribution, which would be repaid over time through a revenue stream generated by development surrounding the stadium. Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson proposed that financing approach and is expected to support the agreement, with Carlson viewed as the swing vote.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also voiced support for the project Monday.
"We were obviously very supportive with Hillsborough College of that site, and we think it's going to be great for the college and there's going to be a lot of opportunities there for that," DeSantis said during an unrelated news conference. "We also think it is important to not lose a baseball team from a very dynamic market, and we also know that when you do these things in this day and age, a lot of times just having the stadium isn't enough. You got to have a vision to have restaurants and shops and all these other things to draw people, and it seems like, yeah, that was very thoughtfully done."
READ: Tampa Bay Rays stadium development: New district renderings released as city vote stalls plan
The Rays have said they need to get shovels in the ground this fall to have the new stadium ready for Opening Day in April 2029.
Hillsborough County Commission vote
What we don't know:
While city council members are expected to pass the deal, it’s not entirely clear whether the commission would do so, with at least two commissioners expressing reservations last week.
Hagan also said additional procedural votes would still be required after the city and county establish the main parameters of the agreement.
The timing of construction and the development surrounding the stadium will also depend on those remaining steps.
Hillsborough College innovation zone
The backstory:
The stadium project would also bring a major transformation to the Hillsborough College North Dale Mabry campus. Initial plans call for an "innovation zone" around the stadium that would include new academic buildings and reconfigured existing spaces designed to create a more connected, mixed-use campus.
MORE: Tampa Bay Rays reveal first look inside proposed new stadium
Hillsborough College leaders have described the college as a "civic anchor" for the surrounding community. The redevelopment could provide students and faculty with opportunities involving workforce development, internships and educational programs connected to the Rays and businesses expected to locate nearby.
Carlson said the plan could give students access to new classrooms while putting them next to restaurants, businesses and technology companies.
"We'll give them new classrooms and then a new environment, but they'll also be adjacent to a multi-use facility where they can work at the restaurants and bars," Carlson said.
Carlson also pointed to Hillsborough College's artificial intelligence programs as a potential connection between students and companies working in emerging technologies. He said technology companies have already expressed interest in locating near the college and the proposed stadium development.
College leaders have compared the vision for the campus to developments such as Water Street and Midtown Tampa, although the proposed project would be more compact with taller buildings.
In January, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Rays outlining the proposed campus redevelopment. The entire vision remains contingent on the Rays, Tampa and Hillsborough County finalizing the stadium agreement.
PREVIOUS: Tampa CRA delays Rays stadium funding vote until August
Hagan said the scale of the opportunity makes this week's votes particularly important.
"To really put it into, I think an example that folks can understand is this project is bigger than Water Street and Midtown combined."
The Source: Information for this story game from statements by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and interviews with Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, along with the Rays stadium proposal and updated financial framework submitted to the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County and previous reports about plans to improve HCC’s campus as part of the deal.