ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An in depth evaluation of the hurricane harm to Tropicana Area concludes that the house of the Tampa Bay Rays is structurally sound and could be repaired for about $55.7 million in time for the 2026 season.
The 412-page report launched Tuesday by the Metropolis of St. Petersburg, which owns the constructing, discovered that the fundamental construction of the domed stadium “doesn’t seem to have been adversely affected” by Hurricane Milton’s winds, which shredded most of its cloth roof.
“The first construction is serviceable and able to supporting a substitute stress membrane cloth roof,” stated the report by Hennessy Building Providers.
Eighteen of the ballpark’s 24 cloth panels failed when Milton roared ashore Oct. 9, the report discovered. There was additionally harm to inside elements of the Trop, because it’s identified for brief, from rainwater and different storm-related causes. The ballpark opened in 1990 and has been the Rays’ residence since their inception in 1998.
Tropicana Area is already scheduled to be demolished when a brand new, $1.3 billion ballpark is completed in time for the 2028 season. With unexpected prices to town and Pinellas County from two hurricanes — huge quantities of particles removing, harm to parks and infrastructure — two of the principle monetary sources for the brand new ballpark might rethink these plans or resolve to not restore the Trop in any respect.
The St. Petersburg Metropolis Council will talk about the report at its Nov. 21 assembly.
“We have now a lot want throughout town,” stated council member Brandi Gabbard at a gathering final week. “I like the Rays. I like Tropicana Area. It is not about not wanting to do that. It is a couple of steadiness of priorities.”
The council not too long ago accredited $6.5 million to scrub up the ballpark and shield it from any additional harm, together with waterproofing areas such because the press field, seating sections and scoreboard.
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Town does have an insurance coverage declare for the harm and repairs, but it surely features a $22 million deductible and doubtless would solely cowl a part of the general prices. Meaning taxpayer {dollars} might have for use.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch stated town anticipates that insurance coverage and Federal Emergency Administration Company funds will cowl the majority of restore bills.
“We imagine having our hometown staff play in St. Petersburg as quickly as potential is vital for our group,” Welch stated in a press release.
Matt Silverman, co-president of the Rays, stated in a press release that the staff “will proceed to have discussions with town about learn how to transfer ahead.”
For the reason that ballpark below this harm and restore evaluation wouldn’t be prepared till the 2026 season, the Rays should discover one other place to play subsequent 12 months.
Main League Baseball desires the Rays to stay within the space close to their fanbase if in any respect potential, with a number of Tampa Bay-area spring coaching websites advised. These embrace ballparks in Clearwater (Phillies), Tampa (Yankees), Dunedin (Blue Jays), Sarasota (Orioles), Lakeland (Tigers) and the Rays’ personal spring coaching residence in Port Charlotte. Most of those areas host minor league groups throughout summer time.
The deliberate new Rays ballpark is a part of a $6.5 billion undertaking that may embrace inexpensive housing, a Black historical past museum, retail and workplace area, eating places and bars. The undertaking is called the Historic Fuel Plant District, which was as soon as a thriving Black group displaced by building of the ballpark and an interstate freeway.
One possibility could be to delay the undertaking by a 12 months to accommodate the Tropicana Area repairs.
“The Metropolis plans to fulfill its obligations to make sure that the Rays can play in St. Pete, and the redevelopment of the Historic Fuel Plant District and the development of a brand new stadium transfer ahead,” Welch stated.
