A major announcement regarding a proposed Tampa Bay Rays ballpark in Tampa’s Ybor City is set for next week, as details will be unveiled on Tuesday.
In February, it was announced that the Rays would pursue a site in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood for a new ballpark to replace Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The 14-acre site north of Ybor Channel has been viewed as offering some advantages for the Rays, as it is closer to a larger portion of the region’s population than the location of Tropicana Field. However, some information behind the proposed Ybor City ballpark has not been presented to this point, including designs, a cost estimate, and funding model.
Some of those details should come to light Tuesday, when the Rays host a media event in Ybor City. Among the details that are expected to be discussed during that announcement include ballpark designs and cost estimates. More from the Tampa Bay Times:
The Rays are planning a media event for Tuesday in Ybor City in which they are expected to present design renderings of the proposed new stadium and some information regarding costs.
That will be a significant step as most of the discussion to this point has been theoretical and prelimary, including total costs and what share the team may pay.
Once these details are presented, it will provide some more certainties surrounding the proposal. Negotiations going forward will be a major sticking point in the process, as it remains to be seen whether the Rays can strike an agreement with the other parties involved, likely including Hillsborough County.
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