St. Petersburg mayor Ken Welch has named the Houston-based Hines Development Group, working in partnership with the Tampa Bay Rays as the master developer for the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District, which includes the Tropicana Field site.
Welch made the announcement at the end of his State of the City message, in which he listed his administration's 2022 accomplishments and his goals for the coming year. Welch says he's eager to get to work. "I am confident that they are the best partner for this generational endeavor, and now the next phase of our work to bring this dream to reality begins."
"As the plan moves forward under my administration," Welch told the crowd gathered outside city hall, "we will adhere to our model of inclusive governance, asking for input from all stakeholders, including the community, to ensure that we are meeting the goals of this development."
The Hines-Rays plan calls for 57-hundred housing units, office space, retail, and a music hall over the next 20 years....with a new enclosed stadium for the Rays in time for the 2028 season.
photo: Getty Images