St. Petersburg City Council Reverses Rays Stadium Repairs

The St. Petersburg City Council has reversed its decision to allocate over $23 million for repairs to Tropicana Field, the home stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays, which suffered severe damage from Hurricane Milton. This decision followed a delay in considering revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays stadium, creating uncertainty for both projects. The total repair cost for the stadium is estimated at $55.7 million, with completion not expected before the 2026 season. Consequently, the Rays have arranged to play their home games at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees' spring training venue, for the upcoming season. The council's indecision has raised concerns about the Rays' future in St. Petersburg, with team officials expressing skepticism about their prospects. The broader redevelopment plans for the area remain in jeopardy as local officials grapple with funding and community opposition.