From March through May, city officials were negotiating in granular detail with the Tampa Bay Rays and its partner, Hines, on redevelopment plans for Tropicana Field.
How granular? Down to what it costs to rent light poles from the city.
One thing is clear from a review of public records and interviews with officials. After playing an active role in tossing bids then seeking new ones for the project, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is letting others hash out the details. He has turned negotiations over to his top deputies, county officials who will have to bless public expenditures and outside consultants.
