Top Menu

Oldsmar Officials Dismiss Chances of Landing Rays

Tampa Bay Rays Oldsmar

Months after the city’s proposal was unveiled, some Oldsmar officials believe it is unlikely that they will build a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark. 

Last fall, Oldsmar mayor Doug Bevis and the city unveiled a concept for that would bring the Rays to the city. Located across near Tampa Bay Downs, the project would have included a new home for the Rays along with mixed use development (shown above) on a 120-acre site. In its pitch, Oldsmar cited its location near the Pinellas/Hillsborough county border and the amount of space available for development surrounding the ballpark as advantages.

The Rays have continued to search both counties for a new ballpark site, and have not made a commitment at this point. In the meantime, some Oldsmar officials–including city council member Eric Seidel–believe it is time for the city to move on from the idea. Bevis, however, feels that the Rays’ ongoing  search could still leave Oldsmar with enough time to make its pitch. More from Oldsmar Connect:

“I think it’s been great for the city, I applaud our efforts, but I also think it might be becoming a distraction…and I am in favor of us having a discussion about suspending our efforts to try to bring the Rays here to the City of Oldsmar.”

Council member Jerry Beverland concurred with Seidel, saying, “they ain’t gonna come here.”

But Bevis refused to throw in the towel, especially in light of the fact that team officials recently announced the stadium decision would be delayed until the end of the year.

“I agree with a lot of what you said…but I don’t think it’s completely dead,” the mayor responded.

“I don’t know that expending any more effort, it’s not like we’re trying to get noticed. We’re well known. We’ve raised the profile of (Oldsmar). They know we’re here.”

As noted, the Rays have not committed to a site, and owner Stuart Sternberg said in March that the team is still in the process of vetting its options.

Rendering courtesy FSA Inc. Architecture/Construction

RELATED STORIES: Mayor Touts St. Petersburg for New Rays BallparkSt. Petersburg Believes it Could Help Fund Rays BallparkStuart Sternberg: Rays Still Considering Ballpark SitesRays Consider Tech Features for Future BallparkSternberg: Progress Being Made on New Rays Ballpark SearchRick Kriseman Meets with Rob Manfred on Rays BallparkHillsborough, Pinellas Continue Rays Ballpark PitchesBest of 2016: #8, Rays Continue Ballpark SearchManfred Discusses Rays Ballpark SearchRays Connected to Montreal MoveHillsborough County Mulls Funding of Rays BallparkHillsborough County Pushing for RaysOldsmar Proposes Rays BallparkHKS Tweaks Plan for Tropicana Field SiteOldsmar Making Push for RaysHillsborough Nearing High Tourism Impact StatusBallpark Pitched for Tropicana Field SiteIs it Time to Start Eliminating Potential Rays Ballpark Sites?Separating Wheat From Chaff in Tampa Bay Ballpark Search; Pinellas County Expanding Rays Ballpark SearchPinellas County Throws 10 Sites into Rays Ballpark MixRays: Single-Deck Ballpark, Non-Traditional Seating PossibleRays, Politicos Discuss Nine Potential Ballpark Sites; Tampa Bay Rays: We want urban ballpark; Talking new Rays ballpark: roof, tech and more; Tampa mayor pitches downtown Rays ballpark; St. Pete to allow Rays to search in region for new ballpark site

, , , ,