The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved the Tampa Bay Rays’ agreement for a new Forever Home ballpark with a 5-2 vote Friday, advancing the proposed project in Tampa. The vote followed the Tampa City Council’s 4-3 approval Thursday. The proposed fixed-roof stadium would be built on the site of Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus.
With city and county approval in hand, the Tampa Bay Rays can proceed to the community benefits agreement process and begin bond and funding validation. The community benefits agreement must be completed before the bond validation process, and bond validation must occur before major demolition and construction can begin. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected after those steps.
Ballpark planned along Dale Mabry Highway
The proposed ballpark would be located along Dale Mabry Highway, across from Raymond James Stadium and adjacent to George M. Steinbrenner Field. The ballpark and surrounding development are planned around the concept of work, live, learn and play. The district is also planned to include businesses, hospitality and entertainment.
The fixed-roof stadium is planned to have a minimum of 28,000 seats and host non-baseball events. Hillsborough County would own the ballpark, while the Tampa Bay Rays would pay $4 million annually in rent. The initial term of the use agreement, which includes a non-relocation agreement, is 35 years.
The project also includes a revamped and modernized Hillsborough College campus. Hillsborough College will operate a temporary on-site campus called The Nest during the project. Populous has nearly completed the ballpark’s schematic design, according to Tampa Bay Rays chief executive officer Ken Babby.
County, city and Rays set project contributions
Hillsborough County is set to cover $796 million of the ballpark’s projected $2.36 billion cost. The city of Tampa’s contribution is $80 million, while the Tampa Bay Rays are set to invest approximately $1.37 billion plus all cost overruns. The Rays are also expected to privately finance the surrounding mixed-use district.
County Commissioners Ken Hagan, Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers, Christine Miller and Chris Boles voted in favor of the proposal. Donna Cameron Cepeda and Joshua Wostal voted against it. The Rays said the broader development is intended to create a destination for businesses, hospitality and entertainment while securing the franchise’s long-term future in Tampa Bay.
Rays target potential Opening Day 2029
The Tampa Bay Rays’ use agreement at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg is set to expire after the 2028 season. If the remaining approval, funding and construction steps proceed according to plan, the project could lead to Opening Day 2029 at the new Tampa ballpark. The schedule remains dependent on completion of the required processes.
The Rays’ new ownership group, led by managing partner Patrick Zalupski, assumed control of the franchise last September after purchasing it from former principal owner Stuart Sternberg. The ownership group identified finding a long-term ballpark in the Tampa Bay area as its first and highest priority. In January, the Rays identified the Dale Mabry campus as their preferred location and entered into a non-binding partnership with Hillsborough College.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who invested their time, energy, ideas and trust in getting us to this moment,” Zalupski said in a statement. “We recognize there is still important work ahead, and we look forward to continued collaboration to deliver on the promise of this transformational project. Today is an incredible day for Tampa Bay. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible. Forever starts now.”
Babby said the organization had been preparing for the city and county votes and was ready to move forward. “But it’s all systems go for the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa, and excited about the road ahead,” Babby said.
Source: Original report