St. Petersburg Mayor Welch Plans for Future Without Rays Stadium Deal

In his recent State of the City address, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch affirmed the city's readiness to move forward with the redevelopment of the Gas Plant District, even if the Tampa Bay Rays decide against the proposed $1.3 billion stadium project. Welch emphasized that the city's future does not hinge solely on this deal, stating, "We will not pursue the deal at any cost." He highlighted the impending March 31 deadline for the Rays to fulfill specific conditions for public funding, which includes a $700 million financial commitment from the team. The mayor's comments marked a shift from his previously optimistic tone, as he acknowledged the possibility of the deal falling through. The city would retain valuable downtown land and has other avenues for revitalization if the Rays choose to walk away. The ongoing discussions come amid challenges such as significant damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton, which has rendered it unplayable by 2025.