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Council debates reopening community‑benefits talks with Related on Romyard project and ‘Yellowjackets’ parcel
Summary
Council members asked the administration to open talks with Related and to explore amendments to the Romyard community benefits agreement to address concerns about the former Yellowjackets baseball field and associated reverter clauses for county properties.
City staff briefed the Tampa City Council on Feb. 6 about the Romyard community benefits agreement (CBA) with the Related Group and related property agreements. The briefing prompted several council members to request that the administration open discussions with Related or otherwise pursue options to address community concerns regarding the historic “Yellowjackets” baseball field and the status of reverter clauses on county-owned properties used for Head Start and the MLK Center.
What staff told council
Abby Feeley, Interim Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity, told council the Romyard CBA was developed after an RFP award in March 2021, adopted by resolution 2022‑348 on May 4, 2022, and includes commitments such as a West Tampa Cultural Center, workforce development facilities, 40% WMBE participation and affordable-unit commitments. Feeley said the CBA did not include discussion of the Yellowjackets site during its development and that the agreement has not been amended since adoption. She added some project parcels are leased and some deeded to Related; portions of the site, including a townhome parcel, are to be deeded while other parcels are leased.
Council concerns and next steps
Council member Henderson, citing long-standing neighborhood concern about the Yellowjackets field and the community’s promises, urged the administration to open talks with Related and to explore whether the developer would agree to modifications or additional community benefits addressing the Yellowjackets site. Legal staff advised that an amendment to a community-benefits agreement is possible if both parties agree; staff would bring any proposed amendment back to council for approval. Feeley also said reverter clauses on county property (including the Head Start site at 2103 North Rome Avenue and the MLK Center arrangement) are the subject of separate negotiations between the city and county and would not be amended via the Romyard CBA.
Why it matters: The Yellowjackets parcel has cultural and historic resonance for West Tampa residents. Council members said the city retains control over leased property but noted the practical limits of changing an already-executed deal with a private developer without that party’s assent. Several council members pressed for the administration to start internal discussions, and some said they would support a formal request to the mayor’s office to begin negotiations.
Ending
Council did not vote on changes to the Romyard CBA during the meeting. Legal and administration staff were asked to explore options, clarify who would lead negotiations and return to council if and when a proposed amendment or negotiated agreement requires formal approval.
