St. Pete residents voice concerns about new Rays stadium deal
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Several St. Petersburg residents are voicing concerns about a deal to build a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays and redevelop the 87-acre site that surrounds Tropicana Field.
The deal would provide 5,400 residential units, build a 30,000 to 35,000-capacity stadium, and develop retail space, hotel rooms, and office buildings. The deal also says it would provide 1,250 affordable housing units, but critics of the plan say the affordable housing units are not guaranteed.
“The deal that’s written is a disaster for the city,” said Hal Freedman, a St. Petersburg resident. “Both from a financial standpoint and an accountability standpoint.”
“The council’s fiduciary duty is to stop the process now,” Freedman said. “What could happen is they’ll pay the penalty and build market-rate housing, and we’ll get no affordable housing.”
“Our neighborhood is right next door,” said Brian Peret, president of Campbell Park Neighborhood Association. “How much of that money is going to support our programs, our parks, our students?”
However, Mayor Ken Welch supports the project. He helped work on the plan and believes it honors the history of the people who lived in the Historic Gas Plant District.
Welch is optimistic the development will provide jobs and business opportunities for the community.
Council members will have a chance to vote on the entire plan at a future meeting this summer.
If the deal is approved by the city and Pinellas County leaders, construction could begin early next year.
The lease between the Rays and the City of St. Petersburg expires in 2027.
At that time, if no new stadium is built, the team could move to another city.
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