TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa Bay Rays are another step closer to building a new stadium in Tampa after City Council approved a community benefits agreement Thursday, outlining millions of dollars in investments for local neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
The agreement is tied to the Rays’ proposed stadium and entertainment district at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, the Rays would provide $60 million in community benefits over 35 years, with $21 million designated for the City of Tampa and $39 million for Hillsborough County.<\/p>\n
The benefits would be delivered over time rather than all at once.<\/p>\n
Where would the money go?<\/p>\n
Tampa’s first $4.2 million in community benefits would be provided over five years, beginning in 2027.<\/p>\n
More than $2.5 million would go toward housing and neighborhood improvements, including:<\/p>\n
$1.25 million for housing stability and anti-displacement programs, including rental assistance and home repairs.<\/p>\n
$625,000 for improvements to Al Lopez Park.<\/p>\n
$600,000 for a new Neighborhood Impact and Connectivity Fund benefiting Drew Park and West Tampa.<\/p>\n
$100,000 for neighborhood investment grants.<\/p>\n
Additional funding would support workforce development, small businesses, youth sports, transportation improvements and public safety.<\/p>\n
The revised agreement also requires at least 70% of the first $4.2 million in benefits to be provided in cash, rather than counting items such as tickets and advisory boards toward that commitment.<\/p>\n
Not everyone supports the agreement<\/p>\n
Despite Thursday’s approval, some residents and council members raised concerns about the project.<\/p>\n
The proposed stadium would be built on Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus, prompting questions about the future of existing college facilities and recreational spaces.<\/p>\n
During public comment, one resident urged council members to reconsider the potential loss of those facilities.<\/p>\n
“Tampa already had plenty of places to eat and shop and to stay, we don’t need to sacrifice valuable public facilities to create more of them,” the resident said.<\/p>\n
Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak also questioned the long-term value of the community benefits agreement, arguing that inflation would reduce the purchasing power of the money over the next several decades.<\/p>\n
“We’re going to get the most amount of our money if we actually do a reduction in what we give them instead of this community benefits agreement,” Hurtak said, arguing that the value of the commitment would decline significantly over time.<\/p>\n
Hurtak, Guido Maniscalco and Charlie Miranda voted against the agreement.<\/p>\n
How will the Rays be held accountable?<\/p>\n
The agreement includes several measures intended to ensure the promised community benefits are delivered.<\/p>\n
The Rays would be required to provide annual reports outlining progress and how benefits are being delivered.<\/p>\n
A community advisory committee would also help guide the investments, while Tampa City Council would review the next round of proposed projects every five years.<\/p>\n
The agreement also establishes a goal of having registered apprentices perform at least 8% of construction labor hours on the ballpark itself.<\/p>\n
What’s next for the stadium project?<\/p>\n
Thursday’s approval marks another step in the Rays’ effort to build a new ballpark in Tampa, but it does not mean the overall stadium deal is finalized.<\/p>\n
Additional approvals and agreements are still needed before the project can move forward.<\/p>\n
The proposed development would transform the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus into a new home for the Rays, alongside a larger mixed-use district.<\/p>\n