ST.PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Petersburg city leaders are hammering out the final details for the proposed Rays stadium and surrounding development. A final vote on the project is scheduled for Thursday.
On Monday, council members will meet to go over updates to the plans for the new $1.3 billion ballpark. If approved, the city could contribute more than $287 million for the new stadium and redevelopment of the historic Gas Plant District.
Some council members previously expressed concerns about the price tag. District 8 Councilman Reggie Floyd said, “We look to spend, over the next 30 years, about $500 million on a baseball stadium, if you include the debt payments — that’s worrying. It’s one of the largest stadium subsidies in MLB history and there’s now revenue return to the city from it.”
Recently released documents request additional features for the benefit of the community. Some of the additions include a grocery store and daycare center.
Families in the area worry the development won’t deliver on promises. One community member said, “History says it will not, history says that they talk a good game, but they never bring realization to the conversation.”
St. Pete Tenants Union, a group opposed to the plans, will gather outside city hall on Tuesday evening. They argue the deal is a rip-off and does not include public input. The group argued the project is filling the pockets of developers and billionaires while the community says they don’t want the project passed.
City council’s final vote on the plans is scheduled for Thursday, July 18.
