The city of St. Petersburg plans to spend around $6.5 million to clean up and protect Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, which was significantly damaged by Hurricane Milton.
The storm on October 9 severely shredded the ballpark’s fiberglass dome, raising concerns about whether it can be fixed in time for the 2025 season. Major League Baseball wants the Rays to play their home games in the area if the stadium is not ready, likely at one of the local spring training sites.
On Thursday, the St. Petersburg City Council approved two contracts with companies to clear debris from the roof, remove damaged grass, and waterproof several areas, including the scoreboard, seating sections, suites, and the press box, according to city documents. The ballpark lacks a drainage system, meaning it could face further damage from rain without its roof.
“We need to act quickly to protect the building from further damage,” stated city administrator Rob Gerdes. An ongoing evaluation will figure out what is needed to fully repair the Trop, including the cost and how long it will take.
A complicating factor is the city’s plan to build a new $1.3 billion stadium that would open in 2028 as part of a larger urban renewal project approved earlier this year. As part of this agreement, the Rays have committed to staying in St. Petersburg for another 30 years.
“Is this building that is only going to be used for three more years worth the investment that we are making?” asked council member Brandi Gabbard.
The two contracts for cleanup and protection are worth $3.9 million for BMS CAT and $2.5 million for Hennessy Construction Services Corp., according to city documents. This funding will be part of a projected $22 million deductible the city has with the Trop’s insurance, which requires that the building be safeguarded from further damage.
Some city council members wanted to postpone Thursday’s vote until more details about the stadium’s future were available. However, that motion failed in a tie vote, and several council members emphasized the need to prevent any additional destruction.
“This is about stopping the bleeding. It sounds like pay now or pay later, and pay more later,” said council member Gina Driscoll.
Possible temporary homes for the Rays include local spring training sites used by the Phillies, Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates, and Tigers. Further away is the Rays’ own spring training complex in Port Charlotte, located about 85 miles (136 kilometers) south of St. Petersburg. Another option could be the ballpark at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando.
The Rays’ staff has already moved to nearby office space. MLB aims to have a plan in place for 2025 by Christmas.
“We can make it work in a minor league park,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said during the World Series, which concluded Wednesday with the Los Angeles Dodgers beating the New York Yankees. “I think there’s probably some flexibility in terms of what we do with the big league schedule.”
