The clock is running for Tampa officials and the local Major League Baseball team to strike a stadium deal that ensures interest from the Governor’s Office.
Gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds plans to let the ongoing discussions between the Tampa Bay Rays and local officials proceed without his input, both as a candidate and as chief executive if he’s elected in November.
“It’s between the Rays and Hillsborough County. I think that this is something that the county has to make the best decision on behalf of the people that they serve. I don’t think that’s something that you want the Governor weighing in on. Because then what, you’re going to be doing stadium deals all over the state? I don’t think that’s appropriate. I think that’s something for local governments to manage and control.” he said during a press conference Friday.
The comments come as Tampa officials have put the brakes on the latest plan for now, with the majority of seven legislators pressing pause as two different entities.
On Thursday, the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency Board, which has the same members as the City Council, voted 5-2 to remove discussion of the agency’s proposed $100 million contribution from their Aug. 20 agenda. Board Member Bill Carlson requested the removal, arguing that the item should return once the Rays have negotiated directly with the CRA and presented a finished proposal for consideration.
Board members have repeatedly argued that negotiations conducted among the Rays, Mayor Jane Castor’s administration, city staff and Hillsborough County do not substitute for direct negotiations with the CRA, which is a separate legal entity composed of the seven City Council members.
Hours later, the Council voted 4-3 against transmitting a comprehensive-plan amendment for Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus to reviewing state agencies.
The vote did not formally reject the stadium, its financing package or a binding redevelopment plan. However, it blocked an anticipated state review and eliminated the September adoption hearing envisioned by Hillsborough College.
Castor sharply criticized Thursday’s votes, arguing that some Council members were attempting to halt the proposal before negotiations were complete.
Meanwhile, Rays co-owner Ken Babby has had discussions with Carlson in an attempt to get the project back on track.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, a noted baseball fan, is anxious for a deal to get done.
“I think this has got to come to a head pretty soon, one way or another,” DeSantis said last month. “We’ll have a discussion if somehow it doesn’t happen.”
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A.G. Gancarski and Jesse Mendoza contributed reporting.
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