Tampa Bay Rays eye September groundbreaking for 2.3 billion ballpark

TAMPA, Fla - Last week, Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County approved a combined $876 million in public funds for the project. The team’s ownership group has pledged to cover the remaining $1.37 billion, along with any construction cost overruns.

Tampa Bay Rays stadium project

What we know:

Rays CEO Ken Babby says the mixed-use district is about much more than baseball.

PREVIOUS: Fans, business owners react to Rays leaving St. Pete: 'A big change'

"We need to stop thinking about this as building a ballpark in Tampa Bay," Babby said. "We need to start thinking about this as a generational transformational project."

The Rays have already selected AECOM Hunt, Turner Construction and Horus Construction Services to oversee the stadium project.

Campus construction and campus changes

Timeline:

Before the ballpark moves forward, Babby says the project will go through bond and funding validation. A community benefits agreement must also be finalized.

Throughout construction, classes will continue at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus. Some will temporarily shift to other facilities on campus.

What they're saying:

Babby says one of the first priorities is creating "The Nest," a temporary onsite campus. It will include portable classrooms and other interim facilities for students and staff.

"We are eager to begin work on The Nest immediately," he said. "The Nest is the transitionary process of building their new temporary campus while we're still in construction."

Campus upgrades planned 

By the numbers:

While the ballpark is being built, Hillsborough College will undergo its own $215 million transformation. These grand plans include a new library, classroom buildings, outdoor spaces and learning commons.

Hillsborough College President Ken Atwater says his staff is getting geared up for the transition.

"Our first move to try to ensure that we get into our temporary facilities and begin the process of establishing those," Atwater said. "That way, we can continue to offer educational classes."

Concerns voiced 

The other side:

Hillsborough College student Matthew Addison is worried what the next few years could bring.

"Having a lot of construction workers out while students are trying to learn could be a distraction," Addison said.

Other students, including Desiray P., believe these temporary changes will be worth the wait.

"To me, it wouldn't be a big deal personally, because 2029 is only three years away," Desiray P. said. "That's not even a long time. Three years is nothing in the grand scheme."

Moving ahead 

What's next:

The Rays hope to break ground at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus this September. The team hopes to have their ballpark built by Opening Day 2029.

News