TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays are taking their vision for a new ballpark and mixed-use district directly to the people of Hillsborough County this March.
In a series of newly announced public engagement sessions, the team aims to pull back the curtain on a project that promises to reshape the regional landscape and the future of Hillsborough Community College (HCC).
The first of three scheduled meetings will take place Tuesday, March 3, at the HCC Dale Mabry Campus. Team leadership and college officials will be on hand to provide updates, answer questions, and gather feedback from the community. Two additional sessions are set for March 10 at Jefferson High School and March 11 at The Skills Center.
“Everything our ownership group is striving to achieve related to our Forever Home is focused on collaboration and partnership with the entire Tampa Bay community,” said Ken Babby, Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Bay Rays. “The opportunity to personally deliver our plan is both an honor and essential to arriving at an outcome that will positively impact the future of the Rays, Hillsborough College and Tampa Bay as a whole.”
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Babby emphasized that the tour is less of a sales pitch and more of a listening tour, noting that “every voice from every corner of our region matters to us.”
The partnership with HCC is a central pillar of the development. The plan involves reimagining the Dale Mabry campus into a vibrant district that blends professional sports with academic growth. Dr. Ken Atwater, President of Hillsborough College, sees the move as a generational win for the school’s 45,000 students.
“This partnership represents a transformational opportunity for Hillsborough College, and most importantly, for the student experience,” Dr. Atwater said. “By reimagining our Dale Mabry campus as part of a vibrant, mixed-use district, we have the opportunity to enhance campus facilities, expand workforce offerings and internship pathways, and create new avenues for learning and career development.”
The financial framework for the project relies on a public-private partnership. While the cost of the ballpark itself would be shared between the Rays, Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa, the broader multi-billion-dollar mixed-use development is slated to be 100 percent privately financed.
Economic projections for the site are massive. Independent analysis suggests the development could generate $34 billion in direct economic impact and support 12,000 permanent jobs. The team estimates the district could draw 10 million annual visitors—a level of foot traffic comparable to a major U.S. theme park.
Residents, fans, and business owners are encouraged to attend the 6:30 p.m. sessions to review design concepts and share their thoughts. The Rays have indicated that more dates and locations will be added to the schedule soon.
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