Hillsborough County commissioners “voted unanimously for County Administrator Bonnie Wise to continue negotiations” with the Rays around their plan to build a new ballpark, though some “voiced concerns about suggested funding sources.” A county document prepared by Commissioner Ken Hagan’s office showed the Rays “plan to pay at least 50% of the stadium cost.” The team would also “cover construction cost overruns as well as future repairs, maintenance and renovations.” In exchange, the team is asking for Hillsborough County to “consider paying for up to 50% of the ballpark construction cost by tapping into various public funding sources under its control” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/4).
Hagan said that he will “update the commission within 90 days but expects a vote and discussion even sooner.” He said that the $2.3B figure floated for the cost of building a ballpark is an “estimate and not a firm number” (TAMPA BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/4).
