Tampa City Council voted 4-3 to exempt the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed $2.3 billion stadium development from the city’s community-benefits ordinance, approving a separate agreement valued at $60 million. The deal directs $21 million in benefits to Tampa and $39 million to Hillsborough County, with housing, workforce programs and neighborhood improvements among its priorities.
Key takeaways
The vote pairs an exemption from the city’s standard requirements with a negotiated set of alternative commitments. The agreement sets out benefits, but does not require the Rays to build affordable housing in the stadium district.
- Tampa’s share is $21 million; Hillsborough County’s is $39 million.
- The city’s first five-year plan assigns $4.2 million to eligible benefits.
- The council approved the measures 4-3, following a similar vote on city stadium funding in August.
What the council approved
The Rays’ proposed development would include a ballpark seating at least 31,000 fans in a district spanning more than 100 acres in Drew Park. The exemption lets the project bypass provisions of Tampa’s 2023 ordinance for publicly supported developments, which address community engagement, impact assessments, workforce programs and sustainable construction.
The ordinance allows developers to offer alternative benefits of substantially similar value. Council approved the separate agreement after an earlier 4-3 vote in August authorized $80 million in city funding for the proposed development. Alan Clendenin, Bill Carlson, Luis Viera and Naya Young supported both votes; Lynn Hurtak, Guido Maniscalco and Charlie Miranda opposed them.
How Tampa’s share is planned
Tampa’s initial five-year plan allocates $4.2 million, leaving $16.8 million for future plans that would require council approval. The largest listed allocation is $1.25 million for housing assistance, which may support home repairs and affordable housing projects elsewhere in the city.
Other planned amounts include $1 million for Al Lopez Park improvements, $650,000 for workforce training and small-business support, and $540,000 for youth sports and literacy. The agreement also covers transit improvements, police services and access to Rays games for local families.
The first phase of the stadium district does not include affordable housing. Later phases could add affordable units, but the agreement does not require the team to build them in the district.
Oversight and remaining commitments
The Rays may adjust individual allocations and delivery schedules without another council vote as long as they provide $4.2 million in qualifying benefits during the first five years. Contributions may take the form of cash, services or physical improvements; noncash items are credited at cost or appraised fair market value, whichever is higher.
Tampa will receive annual reports and retain inspection rights. However, the city cannot withhold stadium funding if the team breaches the benefits agreement, though it may seek a court order to compel performance. Separate agreements are expected to cover other commitments, including a proposed relocation of Tampa Police Department District 1 facilities and additional fire-rescue infrastructure.