Rays Begin Public Meetings for Proposed Hillsborough County Ballpark

The Tampa Bay Rays started a run of public sessions today. Feedback on a proposed ballpark and mixed-use development in Hillsborough County is the goal. Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus hosted the first meeting.

Team officials explained that these sessions will let residents, students, business leaders, and fans view concepts for the project. People can ask questions and share thoughts that will influence what comes next in planning.

A partnership with Hillsborough Community College sits at the heart of the proposal, transforming the Dale Mabry campus. Upgraded campus facilities are part of the plan, as is expanded workforce development. Curriculum and internship opportunities for more than 45,000 students would be created.

"Everything our ownership group is striving to achieve related to our Forever Home is focused on collaboration and partnership with the entire Tampa Bay community," said Ken Babby, Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Draysbay.com. "Even more important, each of these engagement sessions will be an important occasion for the Tampa Bay Rays to listen, because every voice from every corner of our region matters to us."

Dr. Ken Atwater, President of Hillsborough Community College, called the partnership a transformational opportunity. "By reimagining our Dale Mabry campus as part of a vibrant, mixed-use district, we have the opportunity to enhance campus facilities, expand workforce offerings and internship pathways, and create new avenues for learning and career development that will benefit our students for generations to come," Dr. Ken Atwater said.

Ballpark construction would pull funds from three sources: the organization, Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa. The larger multi-billion-dollar district? Private financing handles that.

A recent independent economic analysis projects the mixed-use development will generate $34 billion in direct economic impact. The project is expected to support 12,000 new permanent jobs. Once built, approximately 10 million visitors should arrive each year.

Two more sessions will happen on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The first will be at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry Campus in the Dale Mabry Student Services Auditorium at 4001 West Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa, Florida, 33614. 

The second will be at Jefferson High School Auditorium at 4401 W Cypress St., Tampa, Florida, 33607.

A third session is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Skills Center, 5107 N 22nd St., Tampa, Florida, 33610. 

Officials will announce more sessions soon.