Tampa Bay Rays Unveil Community Plan for $2.3 Billion Stadium as Key Votes Loom
Updated
Updated · FOX 13 Tampa · Aug 26
Tampa Bay Rays Unveil Community Plan for $2.3 Billion Stadium as Key Votes Loom
3 articles · Updated · FOX 13 Tampa · Aug 26
Summary
$2.3 billion in proposed stadium development moved closer to decision as the Rays released a Community Benefits and Legacy Plan before Tampa and Hillsborough County votes this week.
The plan promises affordable housing, anti-displacement aid, transportation upgrades, local hiring, minority- and women-owned business participation, youth sports, literacy, veterans programs and public reporting.
Affordable housing is a central pledge, but the document sets no funding amount, unit target, job count or timeline, leaving major terms for debate as officials weigh approval.
The broader project pairs a new ballpark with a $215 million Hillsborough College campus redevelopment and a roughly 100-acre mixed-use district; benefits would be split 65% to the county and 35% to Tampa.
County support is not assured despite a framework that puts about $800 million on Hillsborough County and $80 million on Tampa, with the Rays covering a little more than half and aiming to start construction this fall for April 2029 opening.