Share and Follow
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The state of Florida is evaluating the possibility of transferring 22 acres of land to Hillsborough College (HC) to facilitate the construction of a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. This initiative is part of ongoing negotiations between the team and Hillsborough County concerning a 113-acre development near the Dale Mabry Campus.
The 22 acres in question, as depicted on a map from the District Board of Trustees at Hillsborough College, include three parcels of land located adjacent to the campus along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, in proximity to George M. Steinbrenner Field.
According to John Boyd, an expert in economic development and real estate consulting, “It is highly probable that these 22 acres will host significant commercial development. The establishment of a special tax district in this area could generate revenue to support the financing of the project.”
Boyd also noted that leveraging government or public-private partnerships is a strategic move, especially for large-scale projects like this one.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently made public a set of documents outlining a proposal to transfer the land to HC. The documents state that such a transfer would proceed if the board determines it would serve the public interest more effectively than keeping the land under state control. Currently, the site accommodates state and county facilities, and there are some concerns among local residents about the potential changes.
“More traffic. You know, as it is, you know [the] Tampa Bay Bucs man. It’s crazy,” said Carlos Carvahal, who lives in the area. “The landlord’s going to try to get that increase on me, you know, so I probably just move.”
Boyd said the cabinet members will look at economic and environmental impacts, as well as if the project is fair to taxpayers. He said where it was once TV deals being the most valuable part of owning a franchise, now it’s real estate.
“This shows how these high-level economic development projects really require governors working with franchises and local and regional authorities and elected officials to help get these projects over the finish line,” Boyd said.
Three votes are needed for approval. The meeting is set for February 24. Those voting include Florida’s attorney general, the chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture, and the governor. Governor DeSantis has expressed approval of this plan for the Rays to build a home on the campus.