ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The St. Petersburg City Council changed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-torn roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark. It initially voted narrowly to approve, then changed course hours later. .
The reversal of Tropicana Field's determination came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days earlier, the Pinellas County Commission had postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo.
“This is a sad place. I am really disappointed,” said council president Deborah Figg-Sanders. “We won't get there if we keep finding ways that we can't achieve.”
The Rays say the lack of progress puts the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy.
“I can't say I'm confident in anything,” Rays co-chairman Brian Auld told council members.
The Trop's translucent fiberglass roof was torn to pieces on Oct. 9 when Hurricane Milton roared ashore just south of Tampa Bay. There was also significant water damage at the stadium, with the total repair costs estimated by the city at $55.7 million.
The extensive repairs cannot be completed before the 2026 season, city documents show. The Rays struck a deal with the Yankees to play next season at 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field, New York's spring training home across the bay in Tampa.
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said MLB wants to give Rays and Tampa-area politicians time to find a path forward given the disruption caused by the hurricane. Assuming Tropicana Field is repaired, the Rays are committed to playing there for three more seasons.
“We are committed to the fans in Tampa Bay,” Manfred said at an owners meeting. “Given everything that has happened in that market, we are now focused on our franchise in Tampa Bay.”
The first vote Thursday was to get started on the roof portion of the repair. Once that's done, crews can begin constructing a new ballpark, repairing damaged seating and office areas and a variety of electronic systems — which still requires a vote to approve money for the remaining restoration.
The subsequent vote rolling back funding for the roof repair essentially means the city and Rays will have to work on an alternative in the coming weeks so Tropicana Field can potentially be ready for the 2026 season. The city is legally required to repair the roof to repair.
“I would like to summarize and see exactly what we need to do,” said Councilman John Muhammad.
The city previously voted to spend $6.5 million to prevent further damage to the undeveloped Trop. Several council members said before the vote on the $23.7 million to repair the roof that the city is contractually obligated to do so.
“I don't see a way out. We have a contract,” said Councilmember Gina Driscoll. “We are obliged to do it. We are going to repair the roof.”
The council voted 4-3 to approve the roof repair. Members who opposed it said there wasn't enough clarity on numerous issues, including how much would be covered by the ballpark's insurance and what amount could be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
They also noted that city residents struggling to repair their homes and businesses damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton are upset to see so much tax money going to baseball.
“Why do we want to spend so much money right away when there is so much uncertainty?” said Councilman Richie Floyd.
The new Rays ballpark — now likely to open in 2029, if at all — is part of a larger urban renewal project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which refers to a predominantly black neighborhood that was forced to make way for the construction of Tropicana. Field and a highway spur.
The broader $6.5 billion project would transform a 34-acre area in the city's center, with plans in the coming years for a Black History Museum, affordable housing, a hotel, green space, entertainment venues and offices and retail. room. There is also the promise of thousands of jobs.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, one of the driving forces behind the overall project, said it's not time to give up yet.
“We believe there is a path to success,” the mayor said.
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