Tropicana Field

Beginning with Friday's game, the Rays will become the seventh MLB team to use facial-recognition Go-Ahead Entry. If you choose to opt in, there's no more digging for your phone to scan your tickets.

The Pinellas County Commission vote culminated an arduous two-year journey that most recently began after St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said he wanted to start over with the plan to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District.

The county's contribution from bed taxes collected on hotel rooms was considered the last major hurdle toward building the new ballpark, which will be flanked by an ambitious redevelopment plan.

The Pinellas County Commission will vote Tuesday on a plan to build a new stadium for the Rays as part of one a redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District.

County commissioners expressed concern about using bed taxes to help fund the stadium over the life of the project. But officials say there's enough money to pay for that and help renourish the county's eroded beaches.

By a 5-3 vote, the St. Petersburg City Council approved a plan to replace Tropicana Field and transform the Historic Gas Plant District.

The St. Petersburg City Council will decide on a redevelopment project that would provide the Rays with a new stadium and transform the Historic Gas Plant District.

St. Petersburg City Council members are poised to take their final vote on the proposal Thursday.

Negotiations are coming down to the wire over an agreement that would transform Tropicana Field into a major development, crowned with a new stadium, with a vote coming this week.

St. Petersburg City Council members voted 5-3 to move forward with the plan to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District. A final vote is scheduled for July 11.

The deal to redevelop Tropicana Field into a mini city-within-a-city took one step closer to reality Wednesday. St. Petersburg City Council members appear to back the plan — with some revisions. Their first vote is Thursday.

The 30,000-seat stadium would include an open feel, including a pavilion, and is envisioned as a multi-purpose facility that could be used for concerts and festivals.