Tampa Bay Rays, Hines Chosen To Redevelop Tropicana Field: Mayor Welch

Updated: 1:30 p.m., Monday

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Mayor Ken Welch has chosen the Tampa Bay Rays in partnership with Houston-based developer Hines to redevelop 86 acres in the historic Gas Plant District, including Tropicana Field.

The Hines and Rays team was one of four vying for the project. Others being considered were 50 Plus 1 Sports, Restoration Associates and Sugar Hill Community Partners.

Welch announced his selection Monday morning at his first State of the City address, which he delivered from the steps of St. Petersburg City Hall. He was sworn into office for his first term in January 2022. (Watch the full video from his State of the City address below.)

• Also Read: Developers Vying For Historic Gas Plant District Project Share Plans

The mayor grew up in the district, once a vibrant Black neighborhood, noting that the area “has a rich history that predates baseball and our current redevelopment history.”

Welch said, “The history of the historic Gas Plant community, culminating in its dislocation, is the story of a dream deferred. But through my decision today and our collective perseverance, collaboration and intentional actions moving forward, it will no longer be a dream denied.”

The neighborhood, at its height, “was evidence of the perseverance of the African American community that endeavored to turn a redlined part of our community into a neighborhood of commerce, faith and family, and it represents a monumental unfulfilled promise that will finally be kept,” he added. “The promise of inclusive economic development. The promise that this land will benefit all, not in spite of, but precisely because of the fact that development will be focused intentionally on economic inclusion for all. The best path for progress is the path that includes opportunities for everyone and yes, in St. Petersburg, history does matter.”

In July, Welch canceled the request for proposals bidding process that was in place for the district's redevelopment.

The new RFP, which was issued Aug. 26, called for an emphasis on equitable redevelopment and 17.3 acres dedicated to a baseball stadium, as well as a focus on affordable and workforce housing.

“I saw a need to build a better path forward by prioritizing the community’s need for affordable and workforce housing — both onsite and offsite," the mayor said during his remarks Monday. "And as a child who visited many a restaurant, corner store and worked at my Grandfather’s woodyard, the opportunity for restorative economic opportunities needed to be a clearly stated priority.”

With their lease at Tropicana Field expiring in 2027, the Rays have partnered with the Houston-based developer to present their vision for the district and the stadium’s redevelopment.

In their proposal, which the team presented at a community meeting earlier this month, they said that they’re “committed to creating a vibrant, city-defining mixed-use village surrounding a state-of-the-art new ballpark for the Rays.”

The proposed ballpark, which the team said would be completed by 2028, has a fixed-roof and will be available for entertainment and community events.

Under this plan, 5,728 residential units will be built in the area. Of these, 1,459, including 600 off-site units, will be affordable and workforce. That represents about 23 percent of the total housing units included in this plan.

The plan also calls for the development of the 16th Street corridor with a grocery store, business incubators, and nonprofit spaces all connecting to South St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Trail; space for the Woodson African American Museum; and the Booker Creek Greenway, a north-south connector. Developers will also spend $500 million to target minority-, small- and women-owned businesses.

The annual impact from this development is projected to be $1.4 billion and will create 5,500 jobs that generate $656 million in wages in Pinellas County, one speaker from the team said.

The full proposal from Hines & Tampa Bay Rays can be found here.

Watch the full State of the City address: