Florida Construction News staff writer
St. Petersburg City Council members are expected to vote today (July 24) on a resolution to formally terminate an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays and development partner Hines, effectively crushing plans for a new stadium as Tropicana Field repairs set to begin.
The proposed resolution would authorize a Termination Agreement between the city and Hines Historic Gas Plant District Partnership, officially dissolving both the HGP Redevelopment Agreement and the Vesting Development Agreement signed on July 31, 2024. A related stadium development and funding agreement with the Rays, signed the same day, automatically terminated on March 31, 2025.
The original plan aimed to transform the 86-acre site surrounding Tropicana Field into a mixed-use community with new housing, jobs, and public spaces. With Thursday’s vote, city officials are expected to kill that plan.
In addition, council members will consider several measures related to Tropicana Field renovations, which are scheduled for completion before the start of the 2026 MLB season.
According to city officials, construction crews have begun preparations for roof installation at the stadium. Safety netting has been installed to serve as a work platform, and a perimeter safety fence is now in place. Ground-penetrating radar confirmed suitable locations for crane placement, allowing roof repair mobilization to move forward this month.
Roof installation is expected to begin in August and be completed by December. Interior renovations and turf installation will follow, with the full project scheduled for completion by April 2026.
Council will also vote on a resolution to grant the Rays access to four city-owned parcels near the stadium for parking, storage, and installation of a marquee. Another resolution would set a guaranteed maximum price of $5.26 million for repairs to the stadium’s sports lighting and catwalk electrical systems.
The meeting gets underway at 1:30 p.m.
