ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council voted 5-3 Thursday to approve plans for a new ballpark and redevelopment of the surrounding Historic Gas Plant district.
The vote, which largely determines the future of the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, happened shortly before 4 p.m. The Rays have played at Tropicana Field since their debut season in 1998.
“This is not an easy vote, but this is the right thing for the city of St. Petersburg, for Pinellas County, for our region,” said Councilman Ed Montanari.
The city agreed to spend nearly $430 million over the length of the deal and sell 65 acres of public land to the Rays. The total cost of the redevelopment project is roughly $6.5 billion, which includes the $1.3 billion ballpark.
The project will still need approval from the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. Pinellas County is being asked to contribute $313 million in tourism tax. That vote is scheduled for July 30.
Council members Copley Gerdes, Brandi Gabbard, Montanari, Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Gina Driscoll voted in favor.
Mayor Ken Welch added, “This process worked, and it’s something we can be proud of.”
He later said at a news conference, “Today is a major milestone in a 40-year journey.”
In a prepared statement, Tampa Bay Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg, said: “Thursday’s St. Petersburg City Council approvals of the Historic Gas Plant District Development and a new ballpark for the Rays is a significant milestone for our city, Pinellas County and the entire Tampa Bay region — and for the Rays and our fans."
He added: "We look forward to working with our Pinellas County partners on the next and final step in the process to secure the future of the Rays for generations to come."
City council members had voted 5-3 in favor of the new ballpark and redevelopment plans during a preliminary vote in June.
At that time, council members Lisset Hanewicz, Richie Floyd, and John Muhammad voted against the deal and raised concerns over the finances and speed in which the process was taking place.
While the vote didn’t hold any weight, it gave the development team a chance to address council members’ concerns ahead of Thursday’s final vote.
Hanewicz, Floyd and Muhammad also cast no votes on Thursday.
“Under the current terms, in my opinion, we’re giving far too much public money with too few concrete obligations and city council oversight,” Hanewicz said. “I want the Rays to stay, but I can’t vote for this deal.”
Concern over possible graves
One of the major concerns the community has with the Gas Plant district development is about the possible graves that may still be there.
On Thursday, a company scanned the area using ground penetrating radar to try to figure out if there are human remains underground.
Experts say a parking area for Tropicana Field, along with the area just under the bridge of I-275, was once home to two African American cemeteries and one segregated cemetery.
The bodies were said to be relocated, but human remains have been discovered over the years during different development projects on the property.
A memorial to honor those who might still be buried here is part of the proposed plan, but during a meeting this week one council member asked about possible excavation of the property.
The results of the ground penetrating radar aren’t expected for another couple of months.
"Here to Stay" event
On Wednesday, The Tampa Bay Rays and a group of its community partners held a “Here to Stay” press conference and pop-up party in order to drum up support ahead of the vote.
When asked about his feelings on the impending St. Pete City Council vote, Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg remained positive.
“I believe that many of them believe in our vision. The questions have been there, he probing has been there. There’s been numerous meetings with many, many, many hours of Committee of the Whole meetings the council has had,” he said. “But it’s not for us to say and not for us to speculate.”
Breakdown of Thursday's resolutions
Passed - 5-3: A resolution for the 12 agreements that provide the framework necessary to redevelop the current Tropicana Field site, ensuring the continued operations of the Tampa Bay Rays, approximately $6.5 billion of new development, significant job creation and community benefits, and one of the largest economic development projects in the region's history;
Passed - 5-3: An ordinance adopting amendments to Intown Redevelopment Plan to increase the Redevelopment Program budget to fund the New Stadium Project and the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment Infrastructure;
Passed - 5-3: An ordinance approving the Development Agreement for the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment;
Passed - 5-3: Two resolutions to approve the issuance of bonds to finance the project costs relating to A) the New Stadium project and B) the infrastructure required for the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment Plan, and confirm the appointment of special legal counsel for related legal services;
Passed - 5-3: A resolution acknowledging the selection of Skanksa USA Building Inc. for construction services for the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment project, including the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium.