St. Pete City Council approves Rays stadium plan in a 5-3 vote

By a vote of 5-3, the St. Petersburg City Council approved a plan for the Tampa Bay Rays’ new $1.3 billion stadium and surrounding development.

The new ballpark would anchor a $6.5 billion redevelopment in the Historic Gas Plant District. The city would spend nearly $430 million and sell 65 acres of public land to the Rays. Pinellas County is being asked to contribute $313 million in tourism taxes.

County Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the measure July 30.

Once approved by the county, the Rays plan to begin construction in January, with targeted completion before the 2028 season opener.

– Cole Pepper, Florida Politics