ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hours from now, St. Pete City leaders will begin back-to-back talks about the future of the Historic Gas Plant District.
A committee of the whole is scheduled Wednesday morning, followed by the first vote slated during the council meeting on Thursday over the multi-billion dollar deal that proposes a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays and redevelopment of the area with promises of affordable housing and businesses, among others.
Tuesday evening, the community held their own meeting to share their thoughts over the multi-billion dollar deal.
"I'm really wanting the community to have their voices heard. I'm looking to amplify the community voices, give a platform for people in the community to see how they feel about the deal, whether it's left or right," Jabaar Edmond, who helped organize the town hall, said.
Edmond, who was born in St. Pete and also serves as the Childs Park Neighborhood Association president, said it was important to have conversations like this to bring others together.
The town hall was only scheduled for a couple of hours but could've run through the night given the turnout of opinions. Almost all who attended opposed the current proposed deal.
"We have so many other opportunities than to build a stadium," said one speaker.
Neighbors, some born and raised in St. Pete, shared passionate thoughts about the city's future through the deal. Concerns raised included guarantees on affordable housing, environmental impact, and whether it would break more promises for the Historic Gas Plant District, a community that belonged to working-class Black families, but was razed to make room for the stadium.
Most who spoke up during the town hall said the deal was not for the community.
Mayor Ken Welch, who grew up in the Gas Plant District, said the deal would be an economic generator.
"It represents a monumental unfulfilled promise that will finally be kept – the promise of inclusive economic development," Welch stated in part after announcing he would choose to partner with the Rays.
Jose Caraballo, a St. Pete resident of 27 years, was among those who attended the town hall in support of the deal, citing the importance of a new stadium and keeping the Tampa Bay Rays local.
However, he noted the meeting opened his mind to the community benefits people have been seeking through the deal.
"I think that's really great because this is taxpayers' money involved," he said.
The committee of the whole is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday.
The St. Pete City Council is scheduled to meet Thursday at 4 p.m. and is expected to cast their first votes.