Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says she’s “beyond frustrated” with the Tampa City Council. Members blocked a preliminary land-use change Thursday for a proposed Rays stadium at the Hillsborough College site. The vote stopped requested changes from reaching the state capitol.
According to Bay News9, Castor accused certain council members of attempting to derail the stadium deal before talks wrap up. She wrote on X Friday that while city and county officials labor to craft an equitable agreement, some want to halt progress.
The council rejected sending land-use map amendments to the capitol. Review would’ve happened there first, then the council could approve or deny them later. Several council members have grown irritated that the Rays negotiate more with the mayor’s office than with them.
The council doubles as caretaker of the Community Redevelopment Agency, which delayed a vote on stadium financing discussions. That move deepened the mayor’s irritation.
City council member Bill Carlson shared a photo Friday on social media. It showed him meeting with Rays CEO Ken Babby. Carlson wrote that difficult conversations matter, even during disagreements. Babby will meet with all council members, he added.
The Rays seek $976 million in public contributions. The county would contribute $796 million. The city would contribute $180 million.
City officials postponed a stadium vote last month until August. In May, Hillsborough County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding tied to constructing a new stadium. The vote was 5-2.
The Hillsborough College Board of Trustees approved a lease agreement in May as well.
Team officials want the new facility ready for the 2029 season. The proposed development features a baseball stadium and mixed-use entertainment district.