TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays' hopes for a stadium in Tampa continue to move forward as two key votes took place on Wednesday.
The Hillsborough County Commissioners approved the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding at the May 20 meeting in a 5-2 vote.
Tampa Bay 28 reporter Jada Williams has an in-depth look at where each commissioner stands as the MOU moves ahead.
The Tampa Bay Rays Executive Officer, Ken Babby said in a statement:
We are grateful to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners for its approval of the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding that authorizes staff to continue working with the Rays toward a definitive agreement that keeps this project, and Tampa Bay, moving forward. The Rays believe deeply in the power of a new ballpark, a reinvented Hillsborough College, and a privately financed mixed-use neighborhood that will positively shape our region well into the future. Today’s affirmative vote is excellent news for our community, but it is only the first of several crucial steps this week to keep the project on track and ultimately make it all come to life. For that, we are indebted to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and its staff for their diligence and commitment to serving the best interests of Tampa Bay, and we look forward to continued negotiations in our mutual goal to deliver an agreement that is fair and beneficial to all.
Officials described the agreement as a major milestone, though they repeatedly acknowledged significant work still remains before any stadium project becomes a reality.
The Hillsborough County Board of Trustees also unanimously approved the ground lease with the Rays on the Dale Mabry campus on May 20.
"Today’s unanimous vote by the Hillsborough College Board of Trustees to approve the ground lease with the Tampa Bay Rays unlocks the door for the college’s 46,000 students to access meaningful career pathways and real-world workforce opportunities with world-class organizations and businesses while transforming the Dale Mabry campus with brand new, modern facilities," Babby said.
The proposed project carries a roughly $2.3 billion price tag, including nearly $1 billion in public investment. The plan calls for a new Rays stadium alongside a large-scale mixed-use district featuring housing, retail and more.
Officials said the public funding package would rely on a combination of tourist tax dollars, community investment tax revenues and other county funding sources.
Leaders also repeatedly stressed the financing plan would not require raising taxes or reducing funding for existing city or county services.
Up next is a vote by the Tampa City Council on the MOU. The vote is scheduled for the city council meeting on Thursday, beginning at 9 a.m. Tampa Bay 28 reporter Jada Williams will be at the meeting and will have an update on the vote.
Family charged hundreds for car towed from paid lot during downtown Tampa event
A family claims a 17-year-old was waved into a parking spot by an attendant, paid $45 to park, and still had her grandfather's truck towed during a Lightning playoff game.
