After the Pinellas County Commission approved $312 million of bonds to help finance construction of a professional baseball stadium, an old obstacle to the deal reappeared, as the team renewed its request for more government money toward the project.
The Tampa Bay Rays for months requested the county and St. Petersburg government provide more money since delays in approving the bonds have pushed back construction and increased cost, however, the team had been quiet in the weeks leading up to Wednesday night's vote.
"As we have made clear, the county's delay has caused the ballpark's completion to slide into 2029," Tampa Bay Rays President Matt Silverman said in a statement after the vote. "As a result, the cost of the project has increased significantly and we cannot absorb this increase alone. When the county and city wish to engage, we remain ready to solve this funding gap together."
The commissioners voted 5-2 to green light the bonds, which would be paid with hotel tax money, but they noted the team would have to complete several steps before the bonds would be sold, anticipated for early next year. Once sold, the proceeds would go into an escrow account and not be released until the team completed certain steps.
Some commissioners anticipated the team would ask for more money and if that were to occur, they said they would reject the request.
Commissioner René Flowers, who voted yes, said all eyes would be on the Rays to see if they upheld their side of the deals. She said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch also indicated he won't provide money beyond the $333.5 million in bonds the city approved earlier this month.
Commissioner Chris Latvala, who voted yes after opposing the bonds previously, said he expects Rays' principal owner Stuart Sternberg will demand more money and when he doesn't get it, attempt to move the team.
Latvala said Major League Baseball President Rob Manfred had told him the Rays will remain in Tampa Bay. Latvala wants the team sold. Manfred didn't immediately respond to a request for a comment.
Commissioner Dave Eggers said he agreed with many things Latvala said. He didn't like the way the Rays have behaved, but the county had to follow its summer commitment to approve the bond, despite the anticipated Rays' attempt to change the terms of the deal.
The commission approved the financing for a stadium to replace Tropicana Field stadium along with a separate but related development plan for the Historic Gas Plant District.
Time is ticking on the deal because if the Rays do not fulfill a broad range of conditions by the end of March, the contract will terminate, said Chief Assistant County Attorney Don Crowell, which could impact both the gas plant district redevelopment as well as the stadium.
The commissioners had taken up the proposed bond in the summer and in November
The Rays have been seeking a long-term replacement for Tropicana Field for several years.
