Tampa Bay Rays’ Future: Ybor City Ballpark Unlikely as Gasworx Development Takes Shape

As the Tampa Bay Rays seek a new stadium, the historic neighborhood of Ybor City has emerged as a potential site. Known for its vibrant nightlife and unique charm, Ybor City seemed like a prime location for a new ballpark; however, recent developments have complicated this vision.

No Room for a Stadium: Gasworx Takes Over

A substantial portion of land near Ybor City is currently undergoing transformation into Gasworx, a multi-faceted development spearheaded by Tampa businessman Darryl Shaw in partnership with Virginia-based real estate firm Kettler. This massive initiative will encompass:

• Dining and shopping areas
• Office spaces
• Thousands of residential units

Developer Insights

Graham Tyrrell, Kettler’s managing developer for Florida, shared critical insights during a site tour, stating:

“Unless the Rays can build a very tiny stadium, a ballpark isn’t in the cards. We’ve gone past the point where we could include a stadium within Gasworx.”

As Tyrrell explained, plans for six buildings on the site have already received approval, effectively ruling out the possibility of a stadium in the current development framework.

Exciting Developments at Gasworx

Despite the setback for the Rays, the Gasworx project is significantly progressing. Key milestones include:

• La Unión Residence & Social Hall: The neighborhood’s first apartment complex has opened, featuring 317 residential units.
• Upcoming Facilities: Construction has started on multiple new structures, including:
  • A seven-story mixed-use building with 390 residential units and retail space
  • A new TECO streetcar stop
  • A one-acre park and a pedestrian-only paseo
  • A five-story building with 140 residential units and 18,000 square feet of retail space
  • A repurposed 28,000-square-foot warehouse transformed into a marketplace with dining and retail options

Fast-Approaching Deadlines

The anticipated completion date for these additions is early 2027, indicating a rapid transformation for this area.

The Vision for Gasworx

With the Gasworx project poised to add:

• 5,000 residential units
• 500,000 square feet of office space
• 150,000 square feet of retail space

The overarching goal is to develop a walkable community that bridges the gap between downtown Tampa and Ybor City. Tyrrell emphasized the importance of creating a cohesive urban experience:

"You’ve got downtown Tampa, you’ve got Ybor City — which is the jewel of Tampa — and it’s exactly between those two. If you can fill in that gap with well-curated development, suddenly you’ve kind of knitted together everything, and it becomes a really meaningful place for people."

Conclusion: A New Era for Ybor City

As the Tampa Bay Rays search for a venue, the evolving landscape of Ybor City illustrates the complexities of urban development. While a new stadium may not materialize in Gasworx, the community-focused developments underway promise to reshape the neighborhood and enhance its appeal.

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