The Rays are on the verge of landing final approval for their new $2.3B ballpark in Tampa, as the city and Hillsborough County have votes set for this week. The city’s vote has been scheduled for Thursday, and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan “has called for a county vote the next day.” Hillsborough County Attorney Julia Mandell noted that there are “outstanding issues which we are continuing to address.” She also noted that the “final documents, which will, among other information, include further details on the deal’s community benefits agreement, will be distributed Monday afternoon” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/21).
The upcoming week “may be the most consequential in franchise history.” The “most common excuses for the team’s attendance woes have been the drabness and location of Tropicana Field.” Now, “in one fell swoop, the Rays can solve their problems of geography and aesthetics.” All it will take is” affirmative votes from the Tampa City Council on Thursday and the Hillsborough County Commission on Friday.” But “any hiccup in the next few days could derail” Tampa Bay’s ballpark hopes. And if “anything goes wrong this week, Tampa Bay may not get another do-over” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/22).