ST. PETERSBURG, Fla — Some hoping for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, which is expected to be ready in time for the opening day of 2028, while other say they are open to upgrading the existing stadium.

Yet another group says they believe that the current plan does not fully meet the needs of the community.

A final vote on the future redevelopment of Tropicana Field has been postponed multiple times, even though the construction of a $1.3 billion stadium is scheduled to begin by the end of this season.

Rays fan Steve Sullivan says he has attended opening day at Tropicana Field for the last five seasons.

“The Trop isn’t bad,” he said. “It serves my purpose well. However, a new stadium would attract even those who don’t like baseball.”

What You Need To Know

  • A Final vote on the future redevelopment of Tropicana Field has been postponed multiple times

  • The construction of a $1.3 billion stadium is scheduled to begin by the end of this season

  • While some fans are open to upgrading the existing Rays stadium, others believe that the current plan does not fully meet the needs of the community

  • A vote by the city of St. Pete and Pinellas County on the future development of Tropicana Field is scheduled for May

The Pinellas County Commission is expected to vote to commit $312.5 million in tourist tax funding to the stadium if an agreement is approved by the City of St. Petersburg, which is expected to spend $287.5 million

Concerns have been raised, though, over the plan's inclusion of adequate affordable housing. While 1,200 units will be designated for affordable housing, St. Pete Tenant’s Union representative William Kilgore says it is not enough.

“Yeah, that’s a big issue for us,” he said. “We think this money could be better spent and the money could be used for more housing. When you talk about housing, the most need is in those low-income categories, for people at or below 80% AMI.“

Kilgore's assertions are also a priority for the descendants of the Gas Plant district to honor its legacy, which Rays President Matt Silverman said was a guiding factor in the redevelopment plan.

“We’ve continued to have conversations with former Gas Plant residents, which has shaped our approach to the project,” he said.

Kilgore said he believes there could be more improvements made in the area as well.

“I think it does need more time," he said. "We should have another year to look at this deal and negotiate something better with the Rays."

Despite the project’s vote being postponed multiple times, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch said he’s confident that a solid agreement will be reached this year.

“I believe it is going to happen, but we are going to do it right,” he said.

A vote by the city of St. Pete and Pinellas County on the future development of Tropicana Field is scheduled for May.