Historic Gas Plant District

Anyone who's interested in redeveloping the Tropicana Field site now has a couple of extra months to get a plan together. That's because the deadline has been moved back to February.

“Anybody who was interested in it will have that 60-day time period to do something, and this has been talked about for a long time.”

Said St. Petersburg City Council chair Copley Gerdes: “We’ve got a responsibility to move both intentionally and quickly.”

Council member Brandi Gabbard believes the Urban Land Institute (ULI) can provide that “guiding document” for city officials.

"The Rays and St. Pete can negotiate that land, and they’ll stay out of it."

The Rays’ new ownership group, if it chooses to stay in St. Petersburg beyond 2028, will have significant space to build a new stadium.

The city and county will conduct a feasibility study that will help determine if there's a market demand for convention space, as well as the impact it would have on the economy and tourism.

The Rays confirmed that they have begun exclusive discussions with a group led by billionaire Patrick Zalupski that also includes unspecified Tampa Bay investors. The local involvement could mean the team stays in the region.

A general consensus among panelists was that the property should honor its roots while keeping the future in mind.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch discusses the uncertainty around the Tampa Bay Rays, the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District, and other topics.

After meeting with the Rays to "check some legal boxes" on the site, Mayor Ken Welch signaled a new willingness to discuss a five- or 10-year extension of the team's lease – under the right conditions.

There are several possible scenarios that could keep the team in the Tampa Bay area. Or they might seek greener fields elsewhere.