St. Petersburg City Council

Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley said officials now expect to receive disaster recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “sooner than we had anticipated.”

The city and businesses have benefitted from the regular influx of baseball fans since the Rays began play in 1998, Lawmakers say plans to replace that revenue require immediate attention.

The city must fix the stadium under its 30-year contract with the Rays that runs through 2028. Council members voiced concerns about the price spikes, with the cost reaching just under$60 million.

Utility bills will increase an average of around 9% in fiscal year 2026, which begins Oct. 1. Officials recommend a 17.5% increase on stormwater rates.

The city council agreed to extend contracts with security, design and disaster recovery companies. The city’s engineering director said the project will not exceed the $55 million projection.

The proposed Center for The Arts could include a new professional music venue, space for businesses and renovations to the Mahaffey Theater and the Dali Museum.

The replacement roof panels should be installed by December, leaving the Rays a couple of months to finish up interior stadium repairs.

The city is obligated to make repairs. Once the roof is back, more damage must be addressed, but the work is expected to be done in time for the Rays to return to their longtime home next season.

In an interview with Chris Russo on SiriusXM, commissioner Rob Manfred reiterated that "we believe in the market" and remains hopeful the Trop will be ready for the Rays in 2026.

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

The St. Petersburg City Council continues to question why some residents' water bills were as much as six times the normal amount following last year's hurricanes.

After a construction crane fell on an office, the city council wants the state to create guidelines on crane safety and what measures should be taken.