New Tampa Bay Rays stadium

The Tampa Bay Rays have secured funding to build a new $1.3 billion stadium after the Pinellas County Commissioners approved a $312.5 million contribution, complementing a previous $417.5 million approval from the St. Petersburg City Council. The new 30,000-seat stadium, set to open in 2028, will keep the team in St. Petersburg for at least 30 years and is part of a larger $6.5 billion redevelopment project aimed at revitalizing the area. This project includes plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, and various entertainment and retail spaces, promising thousands of jobs. The funding comes from a tourist tax, emphasizing the project’s potential as a significant economic driver. Despite historical low attendance, the stadium aims to transform the community and honor its past, as the site was once a vibrant Black neighborhood. Rays owner Stuart Sternberg expressed gratitude to local leaders for their support in this transformative initiative.