Rays celebrate approval of new stadium, development deal

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa Bay Rays hosted a news conference Wednesday to celebrate the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission’s approval of a development that gives the team a new home.

The commission voted Tuesday to approve the plans , which include mixed-use residential and commercial development of the Historic Gas Plant district, as well as the new stadium. St. Pete councilmembers did the same about two weeks ago.

Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg called Tuesday “a momentous day” for the franchise.

“We look forward to building the best neighborhood ballpark in Major League Baseball, which will blend in beautifully with a world-class, mixed-use real estate project that honors the past and looks toward the future,” Sternberg said in a statement. “We thank St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, the St. Petersburg City Council and the Pinellas County Commission for their hard work. We look forward to working together with our partners for years to come on our shared vision for this transformative project.”

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch said Wednesday was “a historic day” for the city.

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