The city of St. Petersburg, Florida, will spend $6.5 million to clean up and guard against any further harm to Tropicana Field, the home of baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Milton.
The translucent fiberglass dome of the ballpark was shredded by the storm Oct. 9, leaving in doubt whether it can be repaired in time to open the 2025 season. Major League Baseball wants the Rays to play home games in the area if the ballpark isn’t ready, probably at one of several local spring training sites.
The St. Petersburg City Council voted recently to approve two contracts with firms to clear the pieces of roof that litter the ballpark, remove damaged turf and waterproof numerous areas including the scoreboard, seating areas, suites and the press box, according to city documents. The ballpark does not have a drainage system and could sustain additional damage throughout the structure from rain without its roof.
“We need to act quickly to protect the building from further damage,” said Rob Gerdes, the city administrator.
An ongoing analysis will determine what it will take to fully repair the Trop, as it’s known locally, including the cost and timeline for completion. A complicating factor is the city’s plan to construct a new $1.3 billion ballpark that would open in 2028, part of a much larger urban revitalization project that was approved earlier this year. Under that deal, the Rays commit to remain in St. Petersburg another 30 years.
“Is this building that is only going to be used for three more years worth the investment that we are making?” said council member Brandi Gabbard.
The two cleanup and mitigation contracts are $3.9 million to BMS CAT and $2.5 million to Hennessy Construction Services Corp., according to city documents. The money would be part of a projected $22 million deductible the city has with the Trop’s insurers, which will insist the building be protected from more damage.
