The Pinellas County Commission is scheduled to vote on its share of financing for a new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark after two delays. The overall plan, approved by the county commission and city of St. Petersburg officials, had faced postponements in funding votes. The St. Petersburg City Council recently approved its portion of the bonds required for the 30,000-seat ballpark construction. The funding would come from tourist taxes designated for specific uses.
The proposed agreement involves the city and county contributing approximately half of the total cost, with the Rays responsible for the remainder, including potential cost overruns. The commitment from the city and county aims to keep the Rays in St. Petersburg for another 30 years, following uncertainties about the team's future, including potential relocations to Tampa, Nashville, or a split between St. Petersburg and Montreal.
