St. Petersburg City Council to Vote on Redevelopment of Stadium and Gas Plant Site
The St. Petersburg City Council is set to make a final decision on Thursday regarding the redevelopment plans for a new stadium and the surrounding historic natural gas plant site. This vote will play a significant role in determining the future of the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg.
Concerns Raised by Some City Councilors
During a preliminary vote in June, the city council voted 5-3 in favor of the new stadium and redevelopment plan. However, council members Lisset Hanewicz, Richie Floyd, and John Muhammad expressed concerns about the finances and the speed of the process. While the vote is not binding, it provides an opportunity for the development team to address these concerns before the final vote on Thursday.
Community Support and Future Plans
Leading up to the final vote, the Tampa Bay Rays and a group of community partners held a “Stay Here” press conference and pop-up party to rally support. Despite the challenges, team owner Stu Sternberg remains optimistic about the outcome of the St. Pete City Council vote. If approved, the project would involve significant financial commitments from the city, including the sale of public land to the Rays for the redevelopment.
Next Steps and County Approval
If the St. Pete City Council votes in favor of the redevelopment project, it would still need approval from the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. The county is required to contribute $313 million in tourism taxes towards the project. The final vote on the county level is scheduled for July 30.
