TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says she\u2019s \u201cbeyond frustrated\u201d with the Tampa City Council.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s accusing some members of the council of trying to kill a deal for a Rays stadium in Tampa before negotiations are done.<\/p>\n
Her response came Friday after the council blocked a preliminary move Thursday on the city\u2019s land-use map at the Hillsborough College site of a proposed baseball stadium and mixed-use entertainment district.<\/p>\n
The move would have sent the requested changes to the capitol for review before the city council work approve or deny.<\/p>\n
In outlining her frustration on X, Castor suggested some city leaders want to torpedo the deal.<\/p>\n
It’s beyond frustrating that as city and county leaders are working tirelessly to hammer out an equitable deal to bring the Rays to Tampa, City Council members want to halt our efforts in their tracks.https:\/\/t.co\/66t1m66lA5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) July 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Some city council members have been frustrated the Rays have been dealing more with the mayor\u2019s office and not with the council.<\/p>\n The council is also the caretaker of the Community Redevelopment Agency, which just postponed a vote to talk about stadium financing.<\/p>\n That\u2019s part of what led to Mayor Castor\u2019s frustration.<\/p>\n City council member Bill Carlson did tweet a photo Friday showing him meeting with Rays CEO Ken Babby.<\/p>\n Carlson said it\u2019s important to have tough conversations even when you disagree.<\/p>\n Representing the public means having tough conversations even when you disagree. Ken Babby, Rays CEO, and I had a productive conversation this morning. He plans to meet with all city council members. The community is always better when we maintain a dialogue. pic.twitter.com\/UiX88nBuyO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bill Carlson (@carlsonbill) July 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n He added Babby plans to meet with all the council members.<\/p>\n The Rays are seeking $976 million in public contributions to the project, with $796 million from the county and $180 million from the city.<\/p>\n Tampa city leaders last month\u00a0pushed back a vote on the stadium<\/a>\u00a0until August.<\/p>\n In May, by a 5-2 vote,\u00a0Hillsboro<\/a>ugh<\/a> County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding<\/a>\u00a0related to the building of a new stadium. The Hillsborough College Board of Trustees\u00a0also gave its OK to a lease agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Team officials say they want to be in the new facility in time for the 2029 season.<\/p>\n