Board of County Commissioners - Work Session, April 2, 2026
Votes on Philadelphia Phillies BayCare Ballpark lease renewal and TDT funding direction
What happened
This was a Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners work session focused on three major items: the Philadelphia Phillies spring training facility (BayCare Ballpark) lease renewal funding, the disposition of downtown Clearwater government properties, and a North County Servic…
- Jurisdiction
- Pinellas County, FL
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- April 2, 2026
- Decisions
- 3 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Voted
Free sample: decision 1 of 3
Philadelphia Phillies BayCare Ballpark lease renewal and TDT funding direction
Work session discussion of renewing the Phillies' spring training lease (expires 2028) for an additional 20 years to 2047. Total project estimated at $205 million; Phillies committing $75M (of which ~$49M already spent), state grant $20M (NPV ~$15M), with county and city of Clearwater covering the balance. Phillies originally asked $80M in Tourist Development Tax dollars; board reached informal consensus that at least five commissioners favored ~$85M from the county to reduce ad valorem burden on Clearwater residents, with the extra $5M coming off the city's share. Board also discussed a 3% escalator on annual marketing assets (proposed $850,000 starting 2026, escalator to begin 2028). No binding vote taken; direction given to staff to finalize a nonbinding term sheet.
- $850,000 annual marketing assets with 3% escalator beginning 2028
- Phillies assume all cost overruns above $205M
- county funding capped
- Southwest Building to serve as emergency response housing for linemen during hurricanes
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
This was a Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners work session focused on three major items: the Philadelphia Phillies spring training facility (BayCare Ballpark) lease renewal funding, the disposition of downtown Clearwater government properties, and a North County Servic…
Key Decisions (3)
Philadelphia Phillies BayCare Ballpark lease renewal and TDT funding direction
Downtown Clearwater property disposition - fee simple direction
North County Service Center bonding consideration
Development Activity (5)
BayCare Ballpark renovation (Philadelphia Phillies spring training facility)
Commercial
Downtown Clearwater government property redevelopment (Court Street assemblage)
Mixed-Use
New Pinellas County government campus at ICOT site
Infrastructure
Market Signals (5)
Commercial Demand
Downtown Clearwater described as an 'emerging market' with strong momentum…
Sentiment
Commissioners repeatedly cited statewide affordability concerns and a state representative's…
Infrastructure
Pinellas County has identified 383 potential stormwater capital projects worth…
Who Spoke (16)
On the record: the chair, 6 commissioners, 4 staff members, an attorney, the applicant's representative, and a witness.
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