The Tampa City Council will hold a special meeting Oct. 29 to consider a Community Benefits Agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays, taking up one of the major remaining pieces of the city’s $2.36 billion stadium and redevelopment deal.
The agreement is expected to establish commitments for affordable housing, workforce development, youth sports, transportation and other community investments tied to the proposed ballpark and mixed-use development at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus.
Council members will meet at 9 a.m. at Old City Hall to discuss and potentially take action on the agreement, according to a special meeting notice.
The meeting comes two months after Tampa and Hillsborough County approved a combined $876 million in public funding for the roughly $2.36 billion project, including $80 million from the city and nearly $796 million from the county. Together, the governments are covering about 37% of the cost, with the Rays responsible for the remaining 63% and any construction overruns.
Hillsborough County Commissioners agreed to a minimum $60 million community benefits package in August after Commissioner Chris Boles pushed to make it a condition of the stadium deal.
Under the framework, Hillsborough would receive 65% of the benefits package and Tampa would receive the remaining 35%. Based on the $60 million minimum, that would amount to $39 million in benefits for the county and $21 million for the city, although the final allocations remain subject to negotiations.
The agreement has been a point of contention throughout negotiations, particularly among Council members seeking stronger guarantees that the redevelopment will benefit residents in ways beyond the stadium itself.
Council Member Naya Young, who supported the stadium deal, emphasized living-wage jobs, affordable housing, youth programs and opportunities for local businesses, particularly in East Tampa and Sulphur Springs.
Council Member Lynn Hurtak, who opposed the city’s $80 million contribution, unsuccessfully pushed for a $75 million minimum benefits package before the August vote.
The city approved its portion of the stadium agreement 4-3, with Chair Alan Clendenin, Council Members Bill Carlson and Luis Viera, and Young supporting the measure.
Public comment at the Oct. 29 meeting will be accepted after Council presentations and questions, with speakers limited to three minutes. Residents wishing to participate remotely must register at least 24 hours in advance.