The Rays will be building a stadium and, with their partner Hines, redeveloping the large site around Tropicana Field with a big assist from local government, which is helping pay for the stadium and selling the surrounding land for what some claim is below market prices.
Critics of this deal have maintained that most St. Pete residents don’t want to see their tax dollars used this way, with some critics (like those behind the No Home Run site) preferring to see a more market-driven approach to redevelopment.
Councilman Richie Floyd has taken another approach, objecting to subsidizing businesses rather than using city funds and land to directly address resident needs.