The Tampa Sports Authority may spend another $30,000 for additional economic analysis of the proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium since the team changed its roof design after the original study was underway.
But that report may not be ready in time for possible votes on the proposal by the Hillsborough County Commission and Tampa City Council next month. The county has said the earliest commissioners can take up the matter is April 15, with a City Council vote potentially to follow the following day.
Members of the Sports Authority’s finance committee reiterated concerns Thursday that the process to build a $2.3 billion stadium and surrounding development at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus is moving fast and said there are more questions than answers.
Sports Authority CEO Eric Hart said the timing to complete the study depends on when Skanska, the engineering firm hired by the Sports Authority, can get information from the Rays. He said the study could still be useful down the road and can still save taxpayers money.
“We can’t validate many of the things. That’s part of what’s taking time right now,” Hart said. “You see county administration, city administration, they’re trying to validate items that have been discussed. The team has made a lot of presentations and now there’s all these questions that are coming.”
The first analysis of the proposed roof done by Skanska was made public March 16. It found that the Rays’ proposed shell roof is “significantly heavier, more complex and more costly” and would cost $300 million more than estimated for an earlier design.
In response to the report, Rays CEO Ken Babby sent a letter to Hart. He said that the team has continued to update the design of the stadium to be ready for opening day 2029. He also said the team is “committed … to covering all cost overruns” and will soon produce a financing proposal.
The finance committee voted Thursday to send Skanska’s proposed lump sum fee of $29,876 to the full Sports Authority board for approval Tuesday. The analysis only looks at the roof and not the whole stadium. The original study cost $49,000.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
