Council members press administration to reopen talks with Related Group over Rome Yard community benefits and Yellowjackets site

City staff briefed Tampa City Council on Jan. 15 about the Rome Yard community benefits agreement (CBA) and the status of related property reversions and reverter clauses. The briefing prompted several council members to ask the administration to open discussions with Related Group about whether the developer would consider amending the CBA to address the historic Yellowjackets site and other community interests.

Abby Feeley, administrator of Development and Economic Opportunity, summarized the CBA history and commitments. She said the Rome Yard RFP was awarded March 17, 2021, and the current community benefits agreement was adopted by resolution 2022‑348 on May 4, 2022. Feeley listed elements of the CBA and the affordable‑housing breakdown included in the agreement: "There was a total of 954 units there, a 180 at 5th 185 at 50% AMI, 94 at 80% AMI, 368 at a 140% AMI, and 307 market rate," she told council. The agreement also included items such as a West Tampa Cultural Center, a workforce development center, 40% WMBE participation goals and repainting commitments for the MLK Center.

Feeley said the CBA has not been amended since adoption and that the agreement was developed following the community‑benefits ordinance process, which included three public meetings. On the topic of the Yellowjackets field — a historically significant site for Tampa's Black baseball history — Feeley said the CBA as adopted did not address that specific element and that the related negotiations and property transfers predated the RFP and the current CBA process.

Council members including Henderson and Miranda pressed the administration to engage Related Group and to explore whether the developer would consider an amendment or other steps to help restore or otherwise remedy the Yellowjackets site. Henderson urged the mayor’s office to open talks, arguing the move would be an opportunity to pursue community goodwill and memory restoration; several other council members indicated they supported initiating discussions with Related.

Legal staff cautioned that any amendment would require Related Group’s consent and community involvement. "If both parties agree to amend an agreement, then an amendment would come back before you," Rebecca Johns of the legal department said. She also noted that amending a community benefits agreement would typically include public‑process elements because the CBA arises from community meetings and the city’s CBA ordinance.

Feeley and legal staff said the city can negotiate but cannot unilaterally change the CBA; any release of a reverter clause on county‑owned parcels used for Head Start or other county functions is a separate negotiation between the city and county, and would also come back to council if an agreement were reached. Council members requested that the administration and mayor explore the option of initiating conversations with Related Group and report back to council on next steps for a negotiated amendment or other remedies.