SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. — In a wild back-and-forth St. Petersburg City Council session, Tampa Bay Rays Co-President Brian Auld told city council the deal for a new stadium and massive St. Pete redevelopment is effectively dead before council members voted to delay approving more than $300 million in bonds need to finance their share.
Council members then reversed a decision to spend more than $23 million to repair the roof of hurricane-ravaged Tropicana Field, just two hours after they approved getting loans for the funds.
The stadium saga came crashing down after Auld told council members funding delays and changing members on the county level effectively killed the deal, while also apologizing for how the tone of a recent letter put out by the team was received.
“I understand being the bearer of bad news in the wake of two hurricanes is extremely difficult, and I understand receiving the news is difficult. And I promise you it's been as bad for us as anyone else. It’s been nothing short of heartbreaking to inform our staff, our partners and our fans that our agreement effectively died when the county commission replaced two yes votes with two no votes,” Auld said.
After council members voted 4-3 to approve paying millions to start the process of repairing the damaged roof at Tropicana Field, Auld made comments to reporters that repairing their damaged home might not be in the team’s best interest, with concerns that it wouldn’t be ready in time for the 2026 season and they'd be bound by an existing contract.
City council members were made aware of those remarks, reconsidered their earlier vote and ultimately voted down the repairs, pushing it ahead to the new year.
When it comes to the bonds, the city administrator says the delay now gives them a chance to look into a “termination agreement."
While the Rays believe the deal is all but dead, Mayor Ken Welch, city and county leaders have all believed there still may be a path forward.
Mayor Welch provided the following statement to 10 Tampa Bay.
“While we are disappointed that we are pausing the repair of Tropicana Field and the bond issuance that would finance the city’s contribution to a new stadium, we believe there remains a path forward. My administration is prepared to bring a modified plan back to City Council for their consideration. However, I want to make it clear that this plan will not include additional funds from the City. We maintain our position that the Historic Gas Plant District is an equitable economic driver that will benefit future generations. Ultimately, we remain committed to carrying out our contractual obligations and stand ready to work with our partners in the weeks ahead.”
City council members agreed to revisit financing bonds no later than Jan. 9. County commissioners are expected to revisit the topic during their Dec. 17 meeting.
"This is a sad place," council chair Deborah Figg-Sanders said. "I'm extremely disappointed."
As for the roof of Tropicana Field, the city agreed to come back with a plan to start the repair process. It must be done within 90 days after the roof was ripped on Oct. 9 as part of the agreement.
Auld has shared that the repairs for the Trop cannot be made by the 2026 season. The Rays are set to play at Steinbrenner Field, home of the New York Yankees' spring training site.
The new Rays ballpark — now likely to open in 2029, if at all — is part of a larger urban renovation project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which refers to a predominantly Black neighborhood that was forced out to make way for construction of Tropicana Field and an interstate highway spur.
The broader $6.5 billion project would transform an 86-acre tract in the city’s downtown, with plans in the coming years for a Black history museum, affordable housing, a hotel, green space, entertainment venues, and office and retail space. There’s the promise of thousands of jobs as well.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a prime mover behind the overall project, said it’s not time to give up.
“We believe there is a path forward to success,” the mayor said.
Miguel Octavio and The Associated Press contributed to this report.