Tampa Bay Rays reveal first look inside proposed new stadium
New interior renderings of proposed Rays ballpark
The new renderings of the Rays proposed Tampa ballpark seem to be a big hit with fans, but questions remain about whether these pictures will ever become reality. FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Rays are giving fans their first look inside the team’s proposed new ballpark in Tampa, but the larger stadium deal still is not final.
Rays stadium interior renderings
What we know:
The team released five interior renderings Wednesday night for what it calls its "Forever Home" ballpark. The proposed stadium would be built on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus, directly across from Raymond James Stadium.
Courtesy: Tampa Bay Rays
Rays CEO Ken Babby discussed the renderings during Wednesday night’s Rays game against the New York Yankees.
"We’re releasing the first set of renderings of the new ballpark as we continue our process forward [and] as we work on definitive documents, [we are] excited to share this new ballpark with our fans," Babby said.
The renderings show a fixed-roof ballpark designed to feel open and bright, with sky views from inside the stadium. The Rays say the design includes about 30,000 fixed seats, with the ability to expand for concerts, conventions and other major events.
The plans also include two large video scoreboards, club spaces near both bullpens, a bar overlooking center field, a retractable batter’s eye and a larger, deeper Rays Touch Tank.
Babby said the roof is one of the features the team is most excited about.
"You’re going to feel like you’re outside with all the comforts and climate controls of being indoors," Babby said during the broadcast.
The primary entrance would sit beyond center field, creating a plaza-style gateway into the ballpark.
What we don't know:
It is unclear when the ballpark will be completed.
An intimate ballpark
What they're saying:
Babby said the team wants the stadium to feel smaller and closer to the game than many other Major League Baseball ballparks.
"I think the thing that gets me the most excited... is how intimate this ballpark is," Babby said. "Seats behind the plate of this ballpark, you’ll be closer to the catcher than the catcher is to the pitcher."
Courtesy: Tampa Bay Rays
Babby also said the team remains committed to affordable ticket options.
The Rays say the design is meant to give fans a modern ballpark experience while keeping them close to the field.
The ballpark would anchor a larger mixed-use development around a reimagined Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus.
"Everything new, up to date, is a great idea," said one Rays fan at the Trop for the game against the Yankees on Thursday.
"It's beautiful," said another. "I can't wait. When will it be done?"
Bigger than baseball
By the numbers:
The Rays say the broader district would include residential, educational, retail, hospitality, commercial and community spaces. The team says an independent economic analysis projects the development would generate $55.5 billion in total economic impact over 35 years, support 11,900 permanent jobs and attract about 10 million visitors a year.
Funding the new stadium
What's next:
The Rays say design elements could still change as the team works with Tampa and Hillsborough County leaders toward a final funding agreement.
Babby said during the broadcast that the team met with city and county leaders earlier Wednesday and continues to work on the final documents.
The non-binding framework moved the project forward, but final legal and financial documents still need approval.
Numerous sources tell FOX 13 city and county negotiators are floating plans that would shrink the city's financial contribution while increasing the county's contribution.
Courtesy: Tampa Bay Rays
Councilors have said publicly that there wouldn't be enough votes to grant $180 million of sales tax and CRA dollars to the ballpark, while county commissioners seem on board with their $796 million contribution.
"If we have to go down that route, then we'll consider it," said Tampa City Councilor Luis Viera. "But obviously the raise are in discussion with council members on this. They know where they stand. I can't inquire because of sunshine."
But other sources say there is still a long way to go in negotiations and that it's still possible the original MOU will just be tweaked to bring enough councilors on board, potentially with a new kind of special taxing district.
"I would rather it be done through the city, because again, it's a very good deal, I feel," said Viera.
The Rays are hoping that a new round of renderings will bring a new round of enthusiasm, particularly on a weekend where they're celebrating a franchise legend.
Evan Longoria's #3 will be retired on Sunday.
As far as the timeline goes, the hope had been to have the deal done in early June.
The next target is to have it done in early August.
The Source: Information in this story comes from a Tampa Bay Rays news release, renderings released by the team, Rays CEO Ken Babby’s comments during Wednesday night’s Rays-Yankees broadcast, and previous FOX 13 News reporting covering Tampa stadium funding discussions.