Tampa Bay Rays

After three years of disruptions, first because of COVID and then a labor lockout, baseball fans are in for a touch of normalcy. Although, the Rays will host games closer to home this March.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch's pick to redevelop the Tropicana Field site puts the Tampa Bay Rays in the box seat. So what comes next?

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch chose the Hines-Rays team to reimagine Tropicana Field and the Historic Gas Plant District. Here are the details of the proposal.

Following the announcement of a plan by the Tampa Bay Rays and Hines to redevelop the Tropicana Field site, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said "Tampa remains a great option for the team."

A coalition of housing, labor and faith-based groups gathered on the steps of City Hall to call on St. Petersburg officials to safeguard the public ownership of the 86-acre site on which Tropicana Field sits.

Welch announced his decision during his State of the City, saying he's "confident that this decision is the best path forward."

The four finalists to redevelop the 86-acre Tropicana Field site for when the Tampa Bay Rays' lease expires in 2027 gave their presentations to the public Wednesday night at the Coliseum.

Due to damage to their Port Charlotte complex after Hurricane Ian, the Rays will hold spring training at Tropicana Field and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.

Community input can be given in person or online through Jan. 23 and will be considered by Mayor Ken Welch when he selects the winning bid to develop the 86-acre Tropicana Field site.

She says renderings of the proposals to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District — and the site of Tropicana Field — will not resemble the actual project in 20 years.

Here are the details from the four firms that have submitted plans to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District.

Former Jefferson High School and Tampa Bay Devil Rays first baseman Fred McGriff was selected by the contemporary baseball era committee over Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling. He will be inducted on July 23.