Overview
- The Rays released a draft agreement for a stadium and mixed-use district at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus, with county ownership, a 35-year team lease, and a non‑relocation clause.
- The plan caps public money at about $1.065 billion and commits at least $1.235 billion from the team, with the Rays paying any cost overruns.
- Public dollars would be raised through bonds tied to hotel bed taxes, the county’s Community Investment Tax, and a Drew Park redevelopment district, rather than general funds.
- County attorneys are assessing whether the Community Investment Tax can be used as some commissioners question its legality, and leaders set June 1 to finish agreements to protect a 2029 opening.
- The package still needs votes by the county and city and approval from Major League Baseball, while state officials have moved to transfer land to the college and the team has pledged a community benefits plan.