After years of negotiations and failed stadium efforts, local leaders and the Tampa Bay Rays say they are now closer than ever to reaching a deal to bring Major League Baseball to Tampa.
City officials, Hillsborough County leaders and Rays executives gathered Friday at Tampa City Hall to promote a newly negotiated non-binding memorandum of understanding for a proposed Rays ballpark and massive mixed-use development project at the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College.
The Hillsborough County Commission could vote on the non-binding agreement as soon as next Wednesday, followed by a Tampa City Council vote a day later. The Community Redevelopment Agency Board and Hillsborough College trustees are also expected to weigh in on portions of the proposal.