TAMPA, Fla. – The future of professional baseball in Tampa Bay took a significant step forward on Tuesday as state officials green-lit a crucial land deal.
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Ron DeSantis and state leaders approved the conveyance of land to Hillsborough Community College, a move specifically designed to pave the way for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and a surrounding “live, work, play, and learn” district.
The project centers on the redevelopment of the college’s Dale Mabry Campus. Under the approved plan, the site will eventually house a state-of-the-art ballpark intended to open for the 2029 season.
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Beyond the diamond, the vision includes a reinvented campus and a mixed-use neighborhood aimed at boosting the local economy and providing a permanent home for the franchise within the Tampa city limits.
Ken Babby, Chief Executive Officer for the Tampa Bay Rays, expressed optimism following the Cabinet’s decision.
He noted that the state’s support validates the team’s long-term vision for what they are calling a “generational project.” Babby emphasized that the momentum for the stadium is growing, fueled by a partnership between the team’s ownership, the community, and state leadership.
While the approval of the land conveyance is a landmark moment, it is just one piece of a complex puzzle.
The project aims to blend higher education facilities with professional sports and residential spaces, a move the Rays believe will serve the region for decades.
For now, the focus shifts to the next phases of planning and development as the team works toward that 2029 opening date. The decision marks a shift in the long-running conversation about where the Rays will play long-term, signaling a firm commitment to the Hillsborough County site.
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