Q&A: Legal, money issues ahead for Rays' proposal

By AARON SHAROCKMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 29, 2007

Who owns Tropicana Field?

Technically, the county owns the land. But if the site is ever used for something other than baseball, the deed transfers to the city of St. Petersburg.

How can the Rays sell the Tropicana site even though they don't own it?

They can't. The team would need the city to agree.

What about the debt the city and county still have outstanding on Tropicana Field?

The Rays haven't said what would happen to the outstanding debt. The city could continue making payments (the bonds aren't paid off until 2025) or use the money from the sale of the Tropicana land.

Do the Rays have a developer in mind for the Tropicana site?

Yes. The Rays are working with Hines Interests of Houston. But because the land is publicly owned, the city would have to issue a request for proposals from developers. A developer other than Hines could be awarded the site.

What retail options are being proposed for the Tropicana site?

The Rays won't say. But they do at least have one specific and unique outdoors retailer in mind.

What kind of homes are we talking about?

The Rays say the 900 residences would be a mix of market and affordable housing. Some also would be rentals.

According to the Rays' time line, the first phase of the Tropicana redevelopment would open in 2011, but the Rays new stadium wouldn't be ready until 2012. Where would the Rays play in 2011?

The initial phase of the Rays' proposal does not include the dome itself. The land to the east of Booker Creek will be redeveloped first.

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 01:08:01]