After multiple public meetings, public comments, plan updates, and much social media discourse, the St. Pete City Council voted to approve the Rays Hines Stadium plan for the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment. Council members Gabbard, Driscoll, Montanari, Figgs-Sanders, and Gerdes voted yes on the proposed Rays Hines plan. Council members Muhammad, Hannewicz, and Floyd voted no.
During the meeting, the St. Pete Downtown Partnership, the St. Pete Chamber, and representatives of the NAACP came out to voice their support for the deal. Many residents were weary of the proposal and voiced concerns that it put an undue tax burden on the community.
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Following the vote, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch assured those in the council chambers that this vote simply means “we’re on to the next phase.” He, along with other City Council members, assured the public they would continue to vigilantly fight for the best outcomes for the city.
What this deal means for the St. Pete Community
“Today is a historic day in St. Petersburg. After 40 years and many promises, tonight’s vote paves the way for the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “Although our partners at Pinellas County still must vote to fund their portion of the new stadium, tonight’s decision by St. Petersburg CIty Council marks a huge step forward to making this deal become a reality. This is a day to celebrate the community, staff, Tampa Bay Rays, Hines Development, and partners that have played such an integral part in this process. Thank you for your dedication and participation – we would not have gotten here without you.”
“What a day for St. Petersburg! I am thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District,” said St. Petersburg City Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders. “Thank you to my City Council colleagues for respecting the process and diligently reviewing these agreements. Thank you to the Community Benefits Advisory Council for their thorough review and meaningful input. Thank you to our community for showing up and engaging in this process with us. I am proud of what we have all accomplished together and the history we’ve made today.”
Upcoming meetings/milestones:
- July/August 2024: Pinellas County Commission votes on stadium-related and development agreements.
- 2025: Construction to begin on infrastructure and phase one vertical development.
- Late 2027/Early 2028: Phase one development opens alongside the proposed new Rays ballpark
- 2028: Proposed new ballpark opens.
Rays-Hines will invest $50 million in the Woodson African American Museum, minority business development, and workforce training. The project includes 5,400 residential units, with 600 designated for seniors and 1,250 for affordable and workforce housing. Phase One, set to begin next spring, features an African American history museum, 1,500 residential units, a 500-room hotel, a medical office, stores, restaurants, and conference space.
The financing plan requires the city to spend $417.5 million, with $287.5 million allocated for the ballpark and $130 million for infrastructure like sewage and roads. This investment will not result in new or increased taxes. Pinellas County will contribute $312.5 million from a bed tax funded by visitors, designated for tourist-related and economic development expenses.
A huge multi-million dollar project in St. Petersburg
The Rays and Hines will cover the remaining $700 million for stadium costs and any construction overruns. They will also hold naming rights to the ballpark, potentially worth over $10 million annually. If the project proceeds, Hines-Rays plans to host two public town halls each year to engage with the community.
From the development team: “The Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership has proposed a vision that incorporates the City’s goals for a vibrant, placemaking mixed-use village that will become St. Petersburg’s next great place to live, work and play – for everyone. The project will be completed in multiple phases.”
The new Rays stadium features its tallest section, which can accommodate the peak of a baseball’s flight, set back from the street. The structure then steps down in tiers to a lower, more approachable scale, similar to a welcoming front porch. Project designer Zach Allee of Populous, who has worked with the Rays for 17 years, explained, “The lower part of the ballpark connects with the street and the Historic Gas Plant District, creating an intimate fan experience and seating inside.”
A new stadium design for the Tampa Bay Rays
The design aims to honor the front porches of the traditional homes once common in the Historic Gas Plant neighborhood.
The new Rays stadium is designed for year-round activity, featuring an entertainment and retail village open even on non-game days. Project designer Zach Allee described the civic plaza as a “living room” that can host various events, such as graduations and conventions, and serves as the ballpark’s main entry.
It will be the only exclusively indoor baseball stadium in the major leagues, but large windows in the outfield, some of which can open on nice days, will allow fans to see out onto the new Second Ave South. The clearstory roof will allow for sunlight, and the plaza connecting the stadium with the streets, bars and restaurants will give the stadium an outdoor feel. 
A major change for the Gas Plant District
Ray’s new stadium will be designed so that when walking in the concourses, fans can see the field and also see out to the streets around the stadium. They also make it easy to get around to different parts of the stadium.
Silverman noted that there will also be standing room and extra capacity admissions for fans who are more interested in the social aspects of the game, walking around, taking in the sights and the sounds, meeting up with friends and finding different perches throughout the ballpark to watch the game.
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