ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — On Tuesday, a key vote to finance the Rays’ new stadium could be put on hold.
Earlier this year, St. Petersburg city leaders and county officials, along with the Tampa Bay Rays, signed a multi-billion dollar deal to keep the Rays in Tampa Bay and build a new stadium in St. Petersburg.
But after the recent hurricanes damaged Tropicana Field and many Pinellas County beaches, some county leaders have expressed concerns to pump the brakes on the project.
“There’s no sense in really rushing it right now,” said Commissioner-elect Vince Nowicki.
On Tuesday, Pinellas County Commissioners are scheduled to vote to issue bonds to help pay for the new rays stadium. The money would come from the tourist bed tax.
Newly elected commissioner Vince Nowicki believes the money would be better spent fixing county beaches.
“Why would we commit $300 million plus another $300 million in financing cost over 20-30 years without even knowing the state of our beaches, which is a proven fact, the largest economic driver for the county,” said Nowicki.
Damage to Tropicana Field has also added to growing frustrations.
With the announcement last week that the Rays will play their next season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Commissioner Chris Latvala posted on the social media site X, in part, “If the Rays violate the spirit of their own agreement they made with the city/county in July–then I will vote no on the bonds.”
The Rays have reportedly said any further delays on building the new stadium could cause the deal to collapse.
In a statement, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said, “The journey of the Historic Gas Plant development has been a long and complicated process. I still believe the fundamentals and economic benefit of the 30-year plan is strong. The city of St. Petersburg is committed to honoring its obligations. This important project can move forward if our partners do the same.”
