Rays’ Stuart Sternberg remains confident of new stadium being approved

ST. PETERSBURG — Though some of the government officials with a vote, among others, have taken swings at the merits of the Rays’ new stadium project, principal owner Stuart Sternberg said Thursday that he is confident they will get the deal approved.

More so than ever.

“As we sit here today, the end of March, I feel as positive as I have at any point in time,” Sternberg said before the season opener.

The $1.3 billion stadium would be built as part of a massive redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District on and around the current Tropicana Field site.

With the Rays committing $700 million, the remaining contributions are subject to approval from the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission. Members of both groups have raised some questions and opposition.

“The votes, plural, are huge hurdles,” Sternberg said. “We are working feverishly as if we’re going to be building the stadium and this project. … We’re proceeding as if it’s going to happen. We’re preparing for success. Doesn’t mean it will. And obviously there’s some hurdles to get over. But when that happens, we are going to be prepared for success.”

Sternberg said that work is being done with area leaders and officials, as well with the companies involved in the project.

“I know there’s still a lot of hurdles to go forward,” he said. “It’s an enormous amount of work, just to get to those hurdles. And we continue to do that. I know what’s going on up in those offices (at Tropicana Field) and in other offices around the country (with) some really good people working towards helping us get this done and working with us.

“I know what’s getting done in that respect, and I feel great about it. And I know all the work that we’re doing as an organization, and continue to do in the community and speaking to everybody that we possibly can locally so they understand what the future can be and how bright it can be once we get the opportunity to build this.”

Sternberg said they have teams of people working with Hines Co., which is the main developer, as well as companies handling architecture (Gensler), stadium design (Populus) and financing matters (Goldman Sachs). Some of that work is being done at Tropicana Field and some at the companies’ offices. Sternberg also said he has “been touring stadiums around the country and arenas around the country.”