Tampa City Council to Vote on Community Benefits Agreement for Tampa Bay Rays Stadium

The agreement establishes financial commitments for local community initiatives tied to a $2.3 billion ballpark project, with $21 million designated for the city and $39 million for the county in cash, services, or programs.

• •The Tampa City Council is set to vote on a community benefits agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
• •The agreement commits the Rays to spending $60 million in Tampa and Hillsborough County.
• •The team has pledged $21 million to the city and $39 million to the county in cash, services, or other programs.
• •The Rays plan to give $12 million to local governments within the first five years, with $4.2 million for Tampa and $7.8 million for Hillsborough.
• •The final page of the document listing initial community benefits, estimated values, and anticipated timing was left blank.
• •Benefits must fall within eight specified buckets, including mobility, jobs, housing, youth education, public safety, community culture, family access, and governance.
• •The team must update the city annually on its progress.
• •The agreement allows the team up to two years to correct any shortfall in contributions without being in default, provided it continues in good faith.