Thrive
Inside the evolution of Rays stadium solutions
Removing – and repairing – the remnants of Tropicana Field’s shredded roof was a priority for St. Petersburg officials and contractors in Hurricane Milton’s immediate aftermath.
Documents obtained by the Catalyst show that building officials met with at least one specialized construction firm a day after Milton made landfall. In a Friday, Oct. 11 email sent after visiting the site, Javier Rattia, partner director for Dunn Lightweight, noted that his firm was under a “very tight schedule” to dismantle and replace Tropicana Field’s roof in time for the 2025 season.
“We will airfreight some of the materials and use most of our stock to achieve this monumental task,” Rattia wrote. “We understand there are some internal processes that need to happen first, but due to the emergency, we can mobilize the dismantling phase this coming Monday (10/14).”
Dunn’s proposal changed the following day. An Oct. 12 agreement was limited to dismantling and removing the “PVC fabric roof material for disposal by the city” at a cost not to exceed $548,534.
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred recently told a podcast host that the Trop’s missing roof was “particularly problematic” in a building not designed to drain. “We were at a path where the useful life of that facility was short. Really costly repairs and a short life facility, I don’t need to connect the dots there for you,” he added.
Removing debris and repairing the stadium’s dome was a priority a day after Milton made landfall.
The city hired local construction services firm Hennessy to assess damages as part of the insurance claim process in the days following Milton. Officials also turned their attention to Global Rope Access (GRA) for stadium debris removal.
Raul Quintana, city architect, told GRA’s leadership that there is “plenty to discuss since this is work we are not familiar with” in an Oct. 13 email. “I also want to better understand the level of coordination required with the (Tampa Bay) Rays facilities staff.”
The city decided to hire GRA, pending the Rays’ approval, by Oct. 16. Officials issued a $416,353 purchase order for roof material demolition Oct. 21.
Videos recently leaked to social media show roof material hanging from fallen cables and signage. The Teflon-coated fabric and other debris remained scattered throughout the Trop’s stands and playing field – still lined with cots to house storm response crews.
The contract encompasses labor for seven GRA rope technicians who arrived in St. Petersburg Oct. 23. They will use specialized rope access equipment to remove what’s left of the dome.
When asked Thursday afternoon if the Rays would play another inning at the Trop, Mayor Ken Welch said, “That’s another issue we’re working through. We’re meeting with the Rays consistently. Met with them this morning.”
He added that the “resilience of our city is the most important thing we’re focused on right now.”
The stadium’s interior has been exposed to the elements for over two weeks.
Welch said the city still lacks a final damage cost estimate. He also noted the responsibility to insure and repair a new $1.37 billion ballpark set to break ground in January would fall to the Rays.
Welch said commencing construction of the new facility before January was among a “range of options.” Those include playing at spring training and minor league stadiums in Tampa, Clearwater and Dunedin. Fans have floated downtown St. Petersburg’s Al Lang Stadium – home to the Rays-owned Tampa Bay Rowdies – as a dark horse option.
“There are a number of options in the agreement,” Welch said. “And once we have more finality about what the cost is, I think we’ll say more about that. In the new stadium, we wouldn’t be responsible for any of these repairs. And that’s one of the strongest points of the new agreement.”
Much of the national storm-related spotlight has shined on a decapitated Trop and a luxury condominium tower’s construction crane crashing into a neighboring building. Welch said all city stakeholders must work together to overcome two unprecedented “acts of God” within 13 days.
“My focus, again, is on the 15,000 properties that have been damaged,” Welch added. “Rebuilding our economy – folks who have lost jobs and homes, and neighborhoods that will probably change forever.
“I think we’ve got good partnerships in the private sector … we’re really all in this together.”
Velva Le Heraty
October 28, 2024at7:30 pm
I support those that emphasize the needs of the city and its residents vs. the needs of the Rays. This administration has failed in their stewardship of its city. Only three council members voted against the bad R/H deal. Remember that. We really need to cut our losses of aligning ourselves with a ballpark rather than with our precious city. And don’t even begin to hint at baseball at Al Lang. Never going to happen. There’s grace in letting go and there’s integrity in moving forward serving the city rather than developers. If St. Pete Beach can halt major construction for a year, we certainly can too, even longer if need be. Build up from within and that means from within our vulnerable infrastructure.
Robb Currie
October 27, 2024at7:59 pm
I get it and agree with much of being said about residents first and ‘shots taken at the Rays but as a former player coach as well reporter I’ve been involved as well witnessed how sports can galvanized people as well communities.indeed it’s imperative to put more focus on residents and our infrastructure first but to those poo pooing Rays and Stadium deals well right wrong or indifferent it’s a place and event for many to enjoy as well those who flock to Ferg’s and other businesses bringing $upport to them and theiremployees
Eric
October 27, 2024at12:21 pm
You know, while they figure it out, the MLB built a 12,500 seat stadium in Fort Bragg NC to host one game. It’s unused and could host the Rays.
Steve D
October 27, 2024at9:10 am
Al Lang Stadium is the perfect, nostalgic solution to the problem. Accelerate construction on the new stadium and leave the curmudgeons commenting here in the dust of history. Go Rays!
Matt Aldridge
October 26, 2024at10:58 pm
The stadium wouldn’t be built any faster if they moved to a different location. They will barely get it built on time.
Geneva Nelson
October 26, 2024at8:36 pm
Why is nobody saying that the Rays cannot play in an open-air stadium? Playing in one would be hellish torture in the summer heat. Why are spring training and other open-air stadiums even being discussed as a possibility for the Rays to play in?
Ryan
October 26, 2024at6:22 pm
The Trop debacle continues to get even worse.
Fold already. Cut our losses. God is trying to save us from Ken Welch’s disastrous deal with the Rays. Listen.
HAL FREEDMAN
October 26, 2024at5:39 pm
Even the MLB Commissioner is smarter than this administration: “Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred recently told a podcast host that the Trop’s missing roof was “particularly problematic” in a building not designed to drain. “We were at a path where the useful life of that facility was short. Really costly repairs and a short life facility, I don’t need to connect the dots there for you,” he added.” Apparently, he does need to connect the dots for our short-sighted City administrators.
Why put any resources into the old, destroyed stadium? Demolishing it would be much cheaper. Cancel the ENTIRE deal with Rays/Hines, and take care of the city and its residents!
Christopher Wiand
October 26, 2024at5:06 pm
I’d like to know what happened to the 24/7 “Welch” pile removal? Where did all of the priority go? I realize that DeSantis is the governor but I wish Welch and the City Council followed his lead and sense of urgency.
Lauren Lopez
October 26, 2024at3:47 pm
What a bunch of messed up and misguided priorities our leadership has. Why haven’t they prioritized the sewage and infrastructure like they have this stupid ballpark? Enjoy your jobs while you have them because your futures don’t look too bright, if my vote has any influence.
Robin Young
October 26, 2024at3:33 pm
agree 100% with natalie. why would we spend big money as a town rebuilding a stadium that is coming down eventually? what happened to MLB finding the rays a new temporary home? it’s amazing that this was the immediate priority after the hurricane. so many residents need help and this jumps to the top of the list?!!
Natalie Stockard
October 26, 2024at12:48 pm
No. No more city money to the Rays. They can play somewhere else for a year or two while this new stadium just gets built earlier.