Tampa Bay Rays’ New Owners Target HCC Dale Mabry Campus for Stadium Site

The Tampa Bay Rays' new ownership group has zeroed in on Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus as a potential spot for their ballpark. A vote could happen next week. The Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees will gather Jan. 20 to weigh a proposal that involves transforming more than 100 acres into a mixed-use development.

Jacksonville homebuilder Patrick Zalupski heads the new ownership group. They've pinpointed 2029 as their deadline for a new stadium, which lines up with when the team's contract at Tropicana Field expires. Their vision? A 110-acre mixed-use district that aligns with what the new owners have been pursuing.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor mentioned Tuesday that she'd caught wind of the Jan. 20 meeting but lacked specifics. "I heard that as well, that meeting — but I don't have the details of that particular meeting," Castor said, per 10 Tampa Bay.

She expects to sit down with HCC leadership soon. "I believe I have a meeting with Dr. Atwater coming up, but we haven't discussed those details coming up," she said.

The site sits close to Raymond James Stadium, Steinbrenner Field, and Tampa International Airport — prime real estate. Hillsborough Community College didn't respond when asked about the reported meeting or potential vote.

Should a deal materialize, St. Petersburg would lose its status as the team's home. Mayor Ken Welch said the city is accepting proposals to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District, which includes Tropicana Field, though those plans might not involve a stadium at all.

"Our intent is to move forward with the development of those properties, and whether that includes a long-term component for the Rays is yet to be determined," Welch said. "If you look at their criteria for 100 acres, then that would rule us out."

Welch added that St. Petersburg's priority right now centers on fixing Tropicana Field before opening day arrives. "You see the roof is intact, we're getting the internal work, so that's our focus now," Welch said. "We'll have conversations about whether they want an extension, their plans for the long-term."

The lease at Tropicana Field runs through the 2028 season.