Here’s how the Sierra Club would fix the Rays/Hines deal

In a city that prides itself on environmental stewardship and progressive values, St. Petersburg is on the verge of making a monumental mistake. The Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment and the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal, as currently proposed, fail to align with our community’s sustainability goals.

The proposed Rays/Hines stadium and surrounding redevelopment agreement misses a golden opportunity to affirm and showcase St. Petersburg’s commitment to clean energy and climate resilience. The current agreements are inadequate. Instead of commiting to substantial solar infrastructure and microgrids, the stadium will likely continue to depend on traditional, carbon-heavy energy sources. It doesn’t help that Mayor Ken Welch has proclaimed Thursday as “Duke Energy Day.” While we all respect the hard work of Duke Energy Florida’s line workers, the corporation itself does not deserve such accolades.

Despite the city’s ambitious goal of achieving 100% emissions-free electricity by 2035, Duke Energy has continued to rely heavily on fossil fuels, driving up utility costs for residents. Among large electric utilities, Duke Florida bills are already the fifth highest in the nation with plans for further hikes. This proclamation is not only counterproductive but directly undermines our city’s sustainability ambitions.

This oversight is particularly glaring given the availability of cheaper, more reliable solar power options that could serve as a model for other cities. Other cities have successfully integrated sustainability into their stadiums. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and Golden 1 Center in Sacramento are shining examples of what could be achieved with proper commitment and vision. This stadium and these arenas boast LEED certifications and significant on-site renewable energy generation, proving that it is entirely feasible for large-scale sports facilities to be both economically viable and environmentally friendly.

We are the Sunshine City in the Sunshine State, and the new Rays stadium should be a shining example of how we truly “Rays Up” Tampa Bay’s leadership on solar.

St. Petersburg is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly hurricanes and flooding. The city’s storm surge maps paint a sobering picture, and the frequency of severe weather events is set to increase. The Historic Gas Plant District, situated on high ground, is an ideal location for a resilient, disaster-ready infrastructure. Yet, the current development plans lack the necessary provisions for a microgrid-powered evacuation center capable of withstanding a Category 5 hurricane.

Incorporating such measures is not just about meeting sustainability targets; it’s about safeguarding our community’s future. A stadium equipped with solar panels and battery storage could provide critical power during emergencies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing public safety; 40% of St. Petersburg residents live in the current Coastal High Hazard Area, and a significant percentage of Pinellas County residents live at or below the average median income, making it difficult to afford a hotel or evacuate. This facility must be designed and built to operate as an emergency shelter to help facilitate more localized options for evacuation for the long-term resilience of our infrastructure.

When the Gas Plant District was taken from its residents, business owners and congregations, the city made specific promises that were not kept. Access to generational wealth was lost; we cannot allow the same cycle of broken promises to occur again. Only through specific contractual obligations can we ensure that the neighborhood, the Rays/Hines partnership, and the greater communities of St Petersburg, Pinellas County and the greater Tampa Bay region all benefit.

One last chance to fix the deal

Tomorrow may be the St. Petersburg City Council’s last chance to fix the deal. It must take immediate and decisive action to rectify these shortcomings by:

-- Mandating on-site renewable energy: The stadium and surrounding developments must generate at least as much renewable energy as they consume. This should be a non-negotiable requirement to meet our 2035 clean energy goal. We cannot trust that developers will in “good faith” produce a LEED certification for the stadium. It should be required for the stadium to be built to a platinum LEED level. All new development within the Gas Plant should be held to a standard similar to the existing Sustainability & Resiliency of City Facilities Ordinance No. 359-H, which holds the city to the highest sustainability and building efficiency standards.

-- Implementing climate-resilient infrastructure: The development should include microgrids and other resilient features to ensure continuous operation during extreme weather events. This will protect vulnerable populations and enhance the city’s emergency response capabilities.

-- Improving our urban natural environment: We need a 50-foot riparian buffer with native Florida vegetation along Booker Creek to support flood and water quality efforts. The Historic Gas Plant District should be filled with native trees and vegetation. At least 12 acres — and ideally 14 — should be open space, with half, at a minimum, being green space while also contributing to the city’s 30% tree canopy goal. Landscaping must use verified Florida native plants for shade and habitat, avoiding ornamental flora like palm trees.

-- Prioritizing transparency and accountability: The City Council must ensure that these commitments are not just aspirational but are codified in the development agreements. This includes clear, measurable targets and accountability mechanisms to track progress.

Without these critical changes, the proposed deals will remain fundamentally flawed. The council should not be swayed by the artificial urgency pushed by vested interests. Instead, it must take the time to get the details right, ensuring that the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment and the Rays Stadium deal truly serve the best interests of St. Petersburg’s residents.

The future of St. Petersburg’s sustainability and climate resilience depends on the actions we take today. We cannot afford to miss this chance to secure a greener, more resilient future for our city.

Dave Harbeitner lives in St. Petersburg. He is a member of the Suncoast Sierra Club’s Political Committee and is the former chairperson of the Florida Chapter’s Political Committee having served from 2017-23. Pat Fling lives in St. Petersburg and is the current co-chairperson for the Suncoast Sierra Club’s Political Committee.