St. Petersburg council approves, then rejects Tropicana Field repairs

Hours after initially approving a proposal to spend $23 million to repair the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark, the St. Petersburg City Council rejected the plan Thursday.

The decision comes more than a month after Tropicana Field's roof was torn apart when Hurricane Milton made landfall just south of Tampa on Oct. 9. The stadium also suffered heavy water damage. The city estimates the renovation will cost $55.7 million.

The Rays have already made plans to play their home games next season at the New York Yankees' 11,000-seat spring training ballpark -- Steinbrenner Field -- in Tampa. But city documents reveal that the repairs to Tropicana Field will not be ready in time for the 2026 season, leaving the club's long-term plans in limbo.

The council also voted 5-2 to delay voting on a proposal to use bond financing to help pay for the Rays' proposed new ballpark, which is expected to cost $1.3 billion.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is optimistic about a new ballpark but is not willing to use more public funds to complete the project.

"We believe there remains a path forward," he said in a written statement. "My administration is prepared to bring a modified plan back to City Council for their consideration. However I want to make it clear that this plan will not include additional funds from the City."

The Rays, who are contractually required to play three more seasons at Tropicana Field, have played in Tampa Bay since their inaugural season in 1998.

--Field Level Media