TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet are considering giving Hillsborough College 22 acres of land.
The move would give the college the land needed for a proposed Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium.
What You Need To Know
Florida Cabinet may consider giving 22 acres of land to Hillsborough College to go towards a Rays stadium
The possible land gift is listed as an agenda item for a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24
The team is envisioning a mixed-used entertainment district that would include a domed stadium that can seat about 31,000 people
The Tampa Bay Rays released initial renderings on Thursday morning of the proposed ballpark at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus
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According to Spectrum Bay News 9 partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, the possible land gift is listed as an agenda item for a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24.
DeSantis, along with Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, has come out in support of the project.
The team is envisioning a mixed-used entertainment district that would include a domed stadium that can seat about 31,000 people. According to a team release, the entire development would stretch about 130 acres across the campus.
The college campus is located on North Dale Mabry Highway across from Raymond James Stadium.
Rendering provided by the Rays of a revamped HC Dale Mabry campus. (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Rays)
Rays officials have said they want to be in the new ballpark for the 2029 season. The team’s lease with St. Petersburg at the newly-renovated Tropicana Field expires after the 2028 season.
According to a potential deal, the college would own the land and could negotiate its use with the Rays. Construction of the stadium could cost an estimated $2.3 billion.
The team’s new owners, led by developer Patrick Zalupski, have said they would fund 50 percent of the stadium costs.
City, county and state officials have yet to officially discuss any other funding sources though property taxes on the nearby area, a half-cent county sales tax and a tourist tax have all been mentioned.