Overview
- The Tampa City Council voted 4-3 on Thursday not to transmit a comprehensive‑plan amendment for Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus to state review, blocking the next regulatory step for the proposed Rays stadium district.
- Acting as the CRA board, council members voted 5-2 to remove discussion of a requested $100 million contribution from the Aug. 20 agenda and said the agency will only consider funding after direct negotiations and a completed proposal.
- Under the nonbinding memorandum of understanding approved earlier this year, local public support could total as much as $976 million with the city at $80 million, the county up to $796 million, and $100 million sought from the CRA, and the Rays’ target 2029 opening depends on finishing definitive agreements and approvals.
- Hours after the votes, Rays CEO Ken Babby began direct outreach to council members, meeting with CRA/Council member Bill Carlson and saying he plans to meet all council members while the team released new renderings and economic projections.
- Council and planning documents show the amendment would rezone about 121 acres to allow very high residential density that could create more than 5,000 school‑age children at maximum buildout, worsen traffic on Dale Mabry (now at Level of Service F), and require brownfield cleanup and new infrastructure or financing alternatives such as a home‑rule TIF if the CRA vote remains unresolved.