In St. Petersburg, Florida, the City Council made a significant decision on Thursday. They approved bonds that would play a crucial part in funding a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. This move comes with various implications and considerations.

Key Details and Implications

The approved bonds amount to about $287.5 million towards a $1.3 billion stadium, which will replace Tropicana Field. Additionally, $142 million is allocated for roads and sewers in the historic Gas Plant District. This decision now puts the issue in the hands of Pinellas County commissioners, who will discuss their $312 million bond vote on December 17 after previous delays.

Vote and Council Members' Positions

The vote was a close one, with Council member Lisset Hanewicz voting against adding the bonds item to Thursday's agenda, stating that the public should have had more than a one-day notice. However, the council eventually voted 4 - 3 to include it, and then approved the bonds by the same margin. Council member Gina Driscoll was considered the swing vote and was one of the four who approved. She expressed satisfaction after hearing the Rays' response to a request for a termination letter. Driscoll, Deborah Figgs-Sanders, Brandi Gabbard, and Copley Gerdes voted yes, while Hanewicz, Richie Floyd, and John Muhammad voted no.

Mayor's Perspective

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch met with the Rays and emphasized that the new $1.3 billion ballpark agreement is valid and in effect. He urged the council to approve the $287.5 million in bonds for the stadium and $142 million for the Gas Plant District. This shows the importance the mayor places on these projects and their potential impact on the city.

Group's Concerns

Meanwhile, the group Home Run Matters raised concerns. They believe the city is under no obligation to approve the sale of bonds until a future date. They pointed out that the Rays have publicly stated they cannot honor one of the key provisions of the deal - cost overruns. This has led them to urge the council not to approve the bonds until they receive some answers.

Impact of Upcoming Council Members

Thursday's meeting was one of the last two before two new city council members are sworn in early next year. Both newly elected council members have been skeptical of the current Ray's ballpark deal, adding an additional layer of complexity to the situation.This is a breaking news story, and readers are encouraged to stay with Spectrum News online, on-air, and on the Spectrum News app for further updates.