Pinellas County Commission Approves $312 Million Stadium Bonds
In Pinellas County, a significant decision was made today affecting the future of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Pinellas County Commission voted 5-2 to approve $312 million in bonds, which are backed by the county’s Tourist Development Tax. This pivotal vote aims to get the long-discussed Gas Plant stadium project back on track.
Commission Vote Details
The vote was marked by a shift in support, as two commissioners who had previously opposed the deal changed their stance. Dave Eggers and Chris Latvala both opted to back the bond approval after expressing concerns about the deal’s terms in the past. The two dissenting votes came from the newest commissioners, Chris Scherer and Vince Nowicki.
Change of Heart
Perhaps the most notable turnaround came from Commissioner Latvala. Known as a vocal opponent of the stadium deal before the elections, he surprised many with his willingness to support the bonds. Latvala cited a recent meeting with Rob Manfred, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, who he claims reassured him about the proposal’s viability.
“I am the swing vote, and I will vote to approve the stadium bonds,” said Latvala. However, he made it clear that he continues to have concerns regarding the team’s management, particularly targeting owner Stu Sternberg, whom he believes should sell the team to new owners.
Concerns and Assurances
Commissioner Eggers expressed his own reservations before ultimately voting in favor. He provided a list of grievances about the deal but was persuaded to vote “yes” after getting firm commitments from the county attorney. These included reassurances that the bonds wouldn’t be issued immediately but would follow a detailed financing plan from the Rays, aligning with their commitment to the project.
Rays Respond to the Approval
Despite the county’s decision signaling progress, the response from the Tampa Bay Rays was less than enthusiastic. Rays President Matt Silverman acknowledged the importance of the project to the community but expressed frustration over the delays. “The County’s delay has caused the ballpark’s completion to slide into 2029, resulting in significantly increased costs,” he stated. The team hopes to bridge the funding gap but sounded unsure about immediate progress.
Future Uncertainty
The timing of the deal has raised eyebrows among observers. Questions remain regarding how a mere month-long delay translates into such a significant setback in the construction timeline. Critics wonder if the Rays’ frustrations are indicative of deeper issues in their pursuit of local government support.
As the situation develops, expectations remain high, yet assurances about the future of both the team and the new stadium project remain murky. While Pinellas County and the Rays appear to be working towards a shared goal, local leaders and fans are left with uncertainty surrounding the deal’s actual commitments. It raises questions about where things stand and whether the community will see a new stadium to elevate their Major League Baseball experience.
