The Tampa Bay Rays have officially abandoned plans for a $1.3 billion ballpark project in St. Petersburg, citing the impact of hurricanes and subsequent delays that are expected to inflate the project’s overall costs.
In a statement from principal owner Stuart Sternberg, he mentioned that “a series of events” in October, which included significant damage to the current Tropicana Field and financing setbacks, influenced what he termed “this difficult decision.”
“After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,” Sternberg expressed.
With the Rays displaced from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, they will host their home games this season at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees’ spring training facility, which accommodates 11,000 fans. Meanwhile, plans are underway to repair the Trop, including a new roof to replace the one damaged by Hurricane Milton, with hopes of having it ready for the 2026 season.
Sternberg noted, “The City of St. Petersburg is currently advancing plans to restore Tropicana Field for the 2026 season. We are thankful for their efforts and are excited to return to our home field next spring.”
The envisioned 30,000-seat stadium was to be a cornerstone of a larger $6.5 billion revitalization initiative known as the Historic Gas Plant District. This area is significant as it refers to a predominantly Black neighborhood that was displaced due to the construction of the Tropicana Field and an interstate highway spur.
Proponents of the project argue that this development would revitalize an 86-acre (34-hectare) area in downtown St. Petersburg, including plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, entertainment venues, and commercial spaces, all while promising thousands of job opportunities.
However, with the Rays’ recent decision, the future of this ambitious project remains uncertain.
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