Rays Stadium

There was a lot of back-and-forth between the candidates during the discussion at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club.

Among the changes in the 134-page contract from May's nonbinding MOU: The Rays increased their commitment by $100 million, to $1.37 billion, with a corresponding decrease in the public contribution.

The city council voted 4-3 to approve a motion to place the stadium issue on the agenda for the meeting — despite not having a draft of the agreement, which is still stuck at the negotiating table.

On “Florida Matters Live & Local,” Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson discusses his plan to help pay for a new Rays stadium that would also address years of deferred infrastructure needs.

A draft is expected to go public Thursday. The agreement, which will include recent proposals by Councilman Bill Carlson, would then be added to upcoming agendas for the city council and county commission.

AECOM Hunt has an extensive track record with the Rays and the region. That includes building Tropicana Field and replacing the St. Petersburg ballpark’s roof after it was destroyed by Hurricane Milton.

On Monday, the Rays are scheduled to announce the firm that will oversee building the ballpark. Meantime, Hillsborough College President Ken Atwater says definitive agreements on financing could reach local officials within days.

City councilman Bill Carlson says he has a “win-win-win” stadium plan that can benefit Tampa and Rays fans and won’t use sales taxes or increase property taxes.

Bill Carlson says the Rays are receptive to his plan to cover Tampa's share of construction through new tax-increment revenue from the stadium district that would also seed a citywide infrastructure trust fund.

The group seeking to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando asked a tourist tax task force for $975 million for a project that would include a stadium. The Orange County Commission will make a final determination.

Bill Carlson says he learned of negotiated changes in the $976 million contribution during a meeting with Rays CEO Ken Babby, who recently opened individual discussions with council members.

Mayor Jane Castor says council members have been kept informed and explains her frustration was over last week's votes, but remains optimistic a deal can be done that maintains Tampa's role in the project.