Tampa City Council signs off on Rays stadium framework, moves deal to next stage
By Rick Mayer, Steve Newborn
May 21, 2026 at 5:13 PM EDT
With a tense 4-3 vote, the city approved the non-binding agreement, allowing negotiations to continue on building the ballpark. But council members still have several concerns.
Tampa City Council on Thursday narrowly approved a non-binding framework for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, joining the Hillsborough County Commission in clearing the way for the project to move into detailed negotiations over construction, funding terms and community benefits.
With local approval in place, the Legislature may now consider up to $150 million in funding pledged by Gov. Ron DeSantis to rebuild Hillsborough College and surrounding infrastructure on the property. Lawmakers meeting to finalize a budget said local financing needed to be resolved first.
The council vote was 4-3. Chair Alan Clendenin, Naya Young, Bill Carlson and Luis Viera voted yes. Charles Miranda, Guido Maniscalco and Lynn Hurtak voted no.
Based on the conversation on the panel, there could be vote changes when updated versions of the deal appear before the panel. They could include Carlson, a candidate for mayor, who expressed concern over the use of Community Investment Tax money.
“I’m like 99.9% sure that I’m going to vote no,” Carlson said. “But the Rays asked only in regard to their ability to get state funding, I’m going to reluctantly vote yes today.”
As the discussion grew more tense, Rays CEO Ken Babby implored council members to pass the non-binding agreement to allow negotiations to continue.
“Don’t send the Rays out of Tampa,” Babby said.
The $2.3 billion stadium, slated to open in March 2029, would anchor a multi-use development in Drew Park on land now occupied by Hillsborough College.
ALSO READ: Hillsborough commission passes Rays stadium agreement. Tampa City Council votes next
The council, which also met as the Community Redevelopment Area Board, tabled a vote until June 11 on using $100 million from the Drew Park CRA, a key part of the arrangement. The Rays and council said that it would not affect the MOU passage.
The county commission voted to approve the agreement on Wednesday.
Under the 32-page MOU, Tampa would pay $80 million from its share of the CIT. Rather than being used up front for bonding, it would be "pay-go" with $20 million allocated annually for four years.
The memorandum says the CIT revenue and could only be used for public infrastructure tied directly to the project — not the stadium itself. The agreement lists items such as roads, sidewalks, drainage, utilities, lighting, traffic improvements, plazas, site preparation and other surrounding public-use improvements as eligible expenses.
The MOU also says the CIT money cannot primarily benefit the mixed-use projects surrounding the ballpark, such as apartments, hotels or retail, though critics argue the infrastructure would still indirectly boost the value of the overall project.
“Don’t send the Rays out of Tampa.”
“That’s $80 billion just to get $2.3 billion spent in the city of Tampa,” Clendenin said. “Any city in the world would take that bet.”
However, Carlson, Hurtak and Maniscalco expressed concern over CIT use.
"What bothers me is the $80 million, because when (CIT) was proposed to the people for renewal, we were very specific in saying it's not going to go to a stadium," Maniscalco said. "Why can't this agreement be amended, or a commitment saying, we'll leave the CIT, we'll go to the state for more money, we'll put in more private dollars?"
The CIT is a countywide half-cent sales tax that was renewed for 15 years by voters in 2024. It kicks in on Dec. 1.
The Rays have said they plan to invest at least $8 billion in the surrounding development. And the project is expected to generate growth outside the stadium district. That’s a lynchpin in the deal, which would rely heavily on the CRA in Drew Park, a mostly industrial and commercial area with low property values that has been targeted for redevelopment for years.
Under the plan, the CRA would purchase bonds with $100 million backed by future increases in property tax revenue generated by the surrounding development. The money can be used for roads, utilities and other public improvements around the stadium area. The MOU also says the surrounding development — like apartments, hotels and retail — would stay on the tax rolls, so it generates new property tax revenue.
Rays CEO Ken Babby addresses the Tampa City Council. (1194x669, AR: 1.7847533632286996)
Hurtak expressed concern that the CRA has never been bonded before.
“We do not have a credit rating," she said. "The bonds will be taxable and privately placed with an investor without bidding on the open market, suggesting the bonds will be below investment grade and will have to be paid out at a higher interest rate than our standard tax-exempt municipal bonds."
ALSO READ: Commissioner Wostal on why taxpayers would be 'bludgeoned' by the Rays stadium agreement
Hurtak and Carlson asked whether a community development district or new tax-increment funding on just the stadium project could be used, rather than the existing Drew Park CRA. A CDD is designed to issue infrastructure bonds backed by dedicated property assessment, which might be more finance friendly.
Babby said the MOU allows that option, "which will be explored."
Councilman Louis Viera, who previously voiced disapproval of the agreement, said he changed his mind after the Rays committed to include fire and emergency medical services on the site. He helped organize meetings with the team and local police and fire unions and the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. As a result, those unions and PBA endorsed the MOU.
“The good far outweighs the bad,” Viera said, emphasizing the non-binding aspect of the deal. “It is unreasonable to walk away now.”
Miranda has remained a hard "no" throughout the negotiations, which the council was not a part of. He raised the room temperature just before the vote with a public scolding of Babby.
"Let's go back to the drawing board and do it the right way. If your shaking your head, then leave," Miranda said, looking at Babby. "If this is your final offer – I'm looking right at you – if this is your final offer, it's a bad one. It's a terrible one for the taxpayers. Not because I'm saying it. From what I hear now, it's not looking so go. You can't do any better, can't sharper your pencil any better, we've got a problem."
Rays ownership had set a June 1 deadline for all stakeholders to agree on the deal. The Rays have said any delay could jeopardize state funding to rebuild the college, and missing the 2029 construction timeline would materially increase costs and invalidate the proposed budget.
With the framework approved, the Rays, city, county and CRA can now enter a detailed negotiation phase to finalize key deal terms that were not resolved in the MOU. Those include how construction costs will be covered if they rise, what happens if private development falls short of projections, how much say local governments will have in stadium design and public spaces, and how revenue from parking and other sources will be shared.
ALSO READ: Florida CFO Ingoglia pressed on Cabinet's land giveaway for Rays stadium
“There are numerous conditions and caveats that have to be addressed,” City Attorney Scott Steady said.
The parties will also have to agree on financial protections such as funding backstops for portions of the public contribution and the structure for ongoing capital maintenance costs.
Another major piece still to be negotiated is a community benefits agreement, which would formalize the Rays’ voluntary commitments to the surrounding community. Under the memorandum, the Rays would accept measurable obligations in five areas: workforce development and local hiring, youth programs and career pathways, community access to the site, neighborhood and public-realm improvements, and direct community investment.
A joint oversight committee — including representatives from the city, county, CRA and the college — would monitor compliance and implementation over the life of the project.
Babby said he heard the council's concerns "loud and clear."
"What I can guarantee you is that we'll be back in this room with a definitive agreement," he said, "that you'll have an opportunity to review and that we will spend hours and hours and hours working to make sure that the needs, not just of the county, not just of the city, but this council, and ultimately the CRA are comfortable with it."
Mayor Jane Castor thanked the council for its "thoughtful deliberation" following the vote.
"This MOU moves us to the next stage of deliberations with the protections Tampa taxpayers deserve," Castor wrote in a social media post. "We are committed to getting the details right — a world-class ballpark and development that drives real economic growth and opportunity for our entire community, not just on game days. The hard work starts now, and I'm confident we're up to the task."
https://x.com/RaysBaseball/status/2057552575931490422
With local approval in place, the Legislature may now consider up to $150 million in funding pledged by Gov. Ron DeSantis to rebuild Hillsborough College and surrounding infrastructure on the property. Lawmakers meeting to finalize a budget said local financing needed to be resolved first.
The council vote was 4-3. Chair Alan Clendenin, Naya Young, Bill Carlson and Luis Viera voted yes. Charles Miranda, Guido Maniscalco and Lynn Hurtak voted no.
Based on the conversation on the panel, there could be vote changes when updated versions of the deal appear before the panel. They could include Carlson, a candidate for mayor, who expressed concern over the use of Community Investment Tax money.
“I’m like 99.9% sure that I’m going to vote no,” Carlson said. “But the Rays asked only in regard to their ability to get state funding, I’m going to reluctantly vote yes today.”
As the discussion grew more tense, Rays CEO Ken Babby implored council members to pass the non-binding agreement to allow negotiations to continue.
“Don’t send the Rays out of Tampa,” Babby said.
The $2.3 billion stadium, slated to open in March 2029, would anchor a multi-use development in Drew Park on land now occupied by Hillsborough College.
ALSO READ: Hillsborough commission passes Rays stadium agreement. Tampa City Council votes next
The council, which also met as the Community Redevelopment Area Board, tabled a vote until June 11 on using $100 million from the Drew Park CRA, a key part of the arrangement. The Rays and council said that it would not affect the MOU passage.
The county commission voted to approve the agreement on Wednesday.
Under the 32-page MOU, Tampa would pay $80 million from its share of the CIT. Rather than being used up front for bonding, it would be "pay-go" with $20 million allocated annually for four years.
The memorandum says the CIT revenue and could only be used for public infrastructure tied directly to the project — not the stadium itself. The agreement lists items such as roads, sidewalks, drainage, utilities, lighting, traffic improvements, plazas, site preparation and other surrounding public-use improvements as eligible expenses.
The MOU also says the CIT money cannot primarily benefit the mixed-use projects surrounding the ballpark, such as apartments, hotels or retail, though critics argue the infrastructure would still indirectly boost the value of the overall project.
“Don’t send the Rays out of Tampa.”
“That’s $80 billion just to get $2.3 billion spent in the city of Tampa,” Clendenin said. “Any city in the world would take that bet.”
However, Carlson, Hurtak and Maniscalco expressed concern over CIT use.
"What bothers me is the $80 million, because when (CIT) was proposed to the people for renewal, we were very specific in saying it's not going to go to a stadium," Maniscalco said. "Why can't this agreement be amended, or a commitment saying, we'll leave the CIT, we'll go to the state for more money, we'll put in more private dollars?"
The CIT is a countywide half-cent sales tax that was renewed for 15 years by voters in 2024. It kicks in on Dec. 1.
The Rays have said they plan to invest at least $8 billion in the surrounding development. And the project is expected to generate growth outside the stadium district. That’s a lynchpin in the deal, which would rely heavily on the CRA in Drew Park, a mostly industrial and commercial area with low property values that has been targeted for redevelopment for years.
Under the plan, the CRA would purchase bonds with $100 million backed by future increases in property tax revenue generated by the surrounding development. The money can be used for roads, utilities and other public improvements around the stadium area. The MOU also says the surrounding development — like apartments, hotels and retail — would stay on the tax rolls, so it generates new property tax revenue.
Rays CEO Ken Babby addresses the Tampa City Council. (1194x669, AR: 1.7847533632286996)
Hurtak expressed concern that the CRA has never been bonded before.
“We do not have a credit rating," she said. "The bonds will be taxable and privately placed with an investor without bidding on the open market, suggesting the bonds will be below investment grade and will have to be paid out at a higher interest rate than our standard tax-exempt municipal bonds."
ALSO READ: Commissioner Wostal on why taxpayers would be 'bludgeoned' by the Rays stadium agreement
Hurtak and Carlson asked whether a community development district or new tax-increment funding on just the stadium project could be used, rather than the existing Drew Park CRA. A CDD is designed to issue infrastructure bonds backed by dedicated property assessment, which might be more finance friendly.
Babby said the MOU allows that option, "which will be explored."
Councilman Louis Viera, who previously voiced disapproval of the agreement, said he changed his mind after the Rays committed to include fire and emergency medical services on the site. He helped organize meetings with the team and local police and fire unions and the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. As a result, those unions and PBA endorsed the MOU.
“The good far outweighs the bad,” Viera said, emphasizing the non-binding aspect of the deal. “It is unreasonable to walk away now.”
Miranda has remained a hard "no" throughout the negotiations, which the council was not a part of. He raised the room temperature just before the vote with a public scolding of Babby.
"Let's go back to the drawing board and do it the right way. If your shaking your head, then leave," Miranda said, looking at Babby. "If this is your final offer – I'm looking right at you – if this is your final offer, it's a bad one. It's a terrible one for the taxpayers. Not because I'm saying it. From what I hear now, it's not looking so go. You can't do any better, can't sharper your pencil any better, we've got a problem."
Rays ownership had set a June 1 deadline for all stakeholders to agree on the deal. The Rays have said any delay could jeopardize state funding to rebuild the college, and missing the 2029 construction timeline would materially increase costs and invalidate the proposed budget.
With the framework approved, the Rays, city, county and CRA can now enter a detailed negotiation phase to finalize key deal terms that were not resolved in the MOU. Those include how construction costs will be covered if they rise, what happens if private development falls short of projections, how much say local governments will have in stadium design and public spaces, and how revenue from parking and other sources will be shared.
ALSO READ: Florida CFO Ingoglia pressed on Cabinet's land giveaway for Rays stadium
“There are numerous conditions and caveats that have to be addressed,” City Attorney Scott Steady said.
The parties will also have to agree on financial protections such as funding backstops for portions of the public contribution and the structure for ongoing capital maintenance costs.
Another major piece still to be negotiated is a community benefits agreement, which would formalize the Rays’ voluntary commitments to the surrounding community. Under the memorandum, the Rays would accept measurable obligations in five areas: workforce development and local hiring, youth programs and career pathways, community access to the site, neighborhood and public-realm improvements, and direct community investment.
A joint oversight committee — including representatives from the city, county, CRA and the college — would monitor compliance and implementation over the life of the project.
Babby said he heard the council's concerns "loud and clear."
"What I can guarantee you is that we'll be back in this room with a definitive agreement," he said, "that you'll have an opportunity to review and that we will spend hours and hours and hours working to make sure that the needs, not just of the county, not just of the city, but this council, and ultimately the CRA are comfortable with it."
Mayor Jane Castor thanked the council for its "thoughtful deliberation" following the vote.
"This MOU moves us to the next stage of deliberations with the protections Tampa taxpayers deserve," Castor wrote in a social media post. "We are committed to getting the details right — a world-class ballpark and development that drives real economic growth and opportunity for our entire community, not just on game days. The hard work starts now, and I'm confident we're up to the task."
https://x.com/RaysBaseball/status/2057552575931490422