New Rays owners introduced, pledge to build new stadium in Tampa Bay
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The new ownership group of the Tampa Bay Rays intends to keep the team playing in St. Petersburg, at least for now, while exploring potential sites around Tampa Bay for a permanent stadium.
On Tuesday morning at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the team’s new leadership, Managing Partner and Co-Chair Patrick Zalupski, Co-Chair Bill Cosgrove, and Chief Executive Officer Ken Babby, outlined their long-term vision to a room filled with reporters, former team executives, and public officials from both sides of the bay.
“It’s no secret that we need a new, forever home to secure the Rays’ long-term future in Tampa Bay, and delivering upon that objective will be our first priority,” said Zalupski, CEO of Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes Inc. “Our goal is to have a new world-class ballpark ready for opening day 2029.”
Under their current lease agreement, the Rays are required to play at Tropicana Field for three more seasons.
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A beachfront property known for its pink cottage-style villas on St. Pete Beach could be replaced with a six-story, 34-room resort under plans recently presented to neighboring condominium owners.
Kevin Bowden, who owns the Miramar Beach Resort on St. Pete Beach and the Cambria Hotel in Madeira Beach, is proposing to redevelop the 0.89-acre Beach Haven Villas property at 4980 Gulf Boulevard.
The property is in St. Pete Beach’s Large Resort District, which allows up to 50 hotel rooms per acre.
Bowden purchased Beach Haven Villas for approximately $6.24 million in January 2025.
The 1949-built hotel temporarily closed after Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged several units. It has since reopened following repairs but does not meet current FEMA requirements.
Under the proposed plan, the existing 18-unit hotel, pool, and parking area would be demolished for a new 34-room boutique resort with covered parking at ground level, four floors of guest rooms, a restaurant and bar overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, and an open-air, covered rooftop lounge.