In the previous month, Hurricane Milton damaged the Tropicana Field's dome, which made the Rays temporarily move to Hillsborough County.

[4] On December 5, 2024, St. Petersburg City Council in favor of purchasing bonds that would fund a portion of the new Rays stadium and the redevelopment of the Gas Plant District.

The council voted four to three to move forward with a $290 million bond purchase to pay for a new stadium deal and the development of the land around it.

[11][12] Plans call for a 30,000-seat fixed-roof stadium, while the surrounding ballpark village would include 4,800 residences and 1,200 affordable and workforce housing units; about 600 of the latter would be off-site.

Unlike Tropicana Field, the stadium will feature operable walls and windows that can be opened on pleasant days or closed to ward off Florida’s summer heat, rain, and humidity.

After three hours of presentations and discussion, council members voted 5–3 to approve a dozen legally binding documents between the city, Pinellas County, the Rays and their development partner, Hines.

The money will come from tourist development tax dollars, which the county can legally spend on a narrow range of projects meant to induce tourism, including sports venues.

On November 30, 2024, the team stuck to the position that all agreements for the deal approved in July are still in effect until a party terminates them or deadlines are missed.

'"[23] On December 5, 2024, St. Petersburg City Council in favor of purchasing bonds that would fund a portion of the new Rays stadium and the redevelopment of the Gas Plant District.

The council voted four to three to move forward with a $290 million bond purchase to pay for a new stadium deal and the development of the land around it.

Into early 2025, local politicians and Rays ownership have cast doubt on the possibility of the stadium's inclusion as part of the larger Gas Plant development.

We had the financing secure, but more question of, does this investment itself make sense in the context of Major League Baseball and fielding a competitive team for the next 30 years?