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Hillsborough County approves nonbinding MOU to pursue ballpark negotiations with Tampa Bay Rays
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding authorizing county staff to pursue negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays, the City of Tampa and the City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency on a proposed ballpark and related redevelopment at the Hillsborough College Del Mavry campus; approval does not change the county budget or create binding commitments.
Hillsborough County commissioners on May 20 approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MOU) authorizing county staff to pursue further negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays, the City of Tampa and the City of Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency about a proposed new ballpark and related redevelopment on the Hillsborough College Del Mavry campus.
The MOU, approved by a majority of commissioners, directs staff to negotiate definitive agreements that would define construction, funding, ownership, use and long-term maintenance and repair of the facility and associated development. "The approval of the nonbinding MOU does not change the county's current budget nor create binding future commitments," the presenter said.
Why it matters: A move to negotiate with a major professional sports franchise and municipal redevelopment agency could lead to large infrastructure and land-use changes with financial and operational implications for the county. Commissioners confined their action to authorizing talks rather than committing funds or finalizing contracts.
What was decided and what remains: The board approved the MOU to allow staff to pursue additional discussions and draft definitive agreements. No budget appropriation or binding contract was approved at the May 20 meeting; any future commitments would require separate board action.
Next steps and public access: County staff were authorized to continue negotiations and return to the board with proposed definitive agreements for formal consideration. The presenter noted the meeting is available to watch on YouTube and that further information can be found at hcfl.gov.
The presenter for the recap was Demores of Accounting Communications and Indigenous Media.
