Hillsborough County negotiator Ken Hagan has been working alongside county officials to come up with a pitch for stadium funding in Port Ybor for Ray’s Stadium. The plan – every time a purchase is made in the area built for the Rays in Port Ybor; a portion will go towards funding the ballpark. According to Hagan, taxpayers would not be responsible for interest, debt cost, or operational costs.

Numbers have not yet been disclosed, but the idea currently being discussed is a special economic district that includes a stadium. Housing, parks, a museum, and a home base for law enforcement. Tourist taxes would also be on the table for funding.  

Hillsborough should be making an offer within the next month. They are nearly ready to begin negotiations according to Hagan. While St. Petersburg has not confirmed the rumor, they have reportedly made a formal offer to the Ray’s already. A third-party report made public states construction would bring 4,500 jobs to Pinellas County with an average pay rate of $93,000 a year. The Tropicana redevelopment site would also help sell 31,000 hotel rooms and create 15,000 permanent jobs with an estimated half billion a year in spending.

Hillsborough County will likely partner with Darryl Shaw, to build on his Gas Worx property that is near Port Tampa but that is not finalized according to Hagan. The Rays/Hines won the right to redevelop the Gas Plant District (Tropicana Field is located within the district) back in January, but the Rays have yet to commit to staying in St. Petersburg – leaving many with questions as to what will happen with the district should the Rays choose to leave St. Petersburg. 

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