The Tampa Bay Rays have taken a very important step toward a long-term renewal of their association with the city of St. Petersburg.
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Community Mayor Ken Welch announced Monday that he has selected the group, which includes Major League Baseball’s organization, to oversee the redevelopment of Tropicana Field and the neighborhood surrounding the stadium.
For many years, the future of the Rays in Florida County has been in question. No longer satisfied with its facilities, the club has considered several alternatives, including a city twinning project with Montreal. However, that idea died in the bud in January 2022 when Major League Monks decided not to pursue it.
Businessman Stephen Bronfman, a key member of the Montreal Baseball Group, said at the time it was a “slap in the face.”
However, the new connection between St. Petersburg and the group that includes the Rays does not mean that the team will remain there after completing its lease at Tropicana Field, which is valid until the conclusion of the 2027 season and the Rays will have to close agree on this subject in another agreement. However, Welch believes that the agreement announced on Monday will allow this file to move forward.
“I don’t see how that could have happened,” the mayor said when asked about the possibility that the Rays could still move.
“You did your research. They put together a whole team and an excellent plan,” added the man, whose comments were reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
Several Rays executives were present at the politician’s press conference, including Chairman Brian Auld.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve put together,” he said. We have great respect for the mayor and his staff who have validated all our hard work. The fact that they trust us to get things done means a lot to us.”
A new stadium and more
The proposal by Rays Group, which has partnered with international real estate investment and development group Hines, appears to involve the construction of a new stadium. This has been requested by the Major League Baseball organization for about 15 years. Several of the club’s proposals have also been rejected by city authorities over the years.
The new project includes construction of a senior citizens’ residence, a 40,000-square-foot ballpark conference room and a new museum, as well as a $10 million donation.
“The process is detailed and transparent. As mayor, I did my homework,” Welch said. I am convinced that this decision is the best way forward.”
The Rays-Hines consortium’s proposal offered the most money to the city, which received three other bids from developer groups.
Rays: An Ongoing Saga
Nov 2007
The Rays unveil their plan to build a new stadium. The proposal includes the sale of the land on which Tropicana Field is located and the provision of public funds.
June 2008
The club gives up its plan because it fears that it will be rejected by the citizens in a referendum.
June 2010
Owner Stuart Sternberg holds a press conference where he issues an ultimatum to gain permission to explore new locations for a stadium in the Tampa Bay area.
October 2011
After the Rays were eliminated in the postseason, Sternberg went public, where he expressed disappointment with local support and reiterated that the future of the franchise in the area was in an untenable position.
January 2016
St. Petersburg eventually grants the Rays permission to explore other locations in the Tampa area, giving the team three years to come up with a definitive answer.
February 2018
The Rays announce that they have chosen a location in the Ybor City area. In the months that followed, the team found no way to finance this project.
December 2018
The Ybor City project is abandoned.
January 2019
Major League Baseball gives permission for the Rays to work on a city twinning project with Montreal.
June 2019
Sternberg says he’s determined to strike a deal that would see his team play half of its season in Montreal.
June 2020
St. Petersburg is asking developers to come up with plans to transform the 86-acre site that houses Tropicana Field. Designers are encouraged to consider both stadium and non-stadium plans for the Rays.
March 2021
The municipality presents the four projects that have been selected for the final phase.
January 2022
Major League Baseball decision makers reject the idea of splitting the team between Tampa Bay and Montreal.
June 2022
St. Petersburg eventually rejects the final proposals to redesign the Tropicana field. However, Mayor Welch is launching a new bidding process that would include the idea of a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, as well as residential and commercial development plans.
January 2023
The Rays-Hines consortium project was selected by St. Petersburg.