The Hillsborough College Site Was the Key
The path to securing a long‑term Tampa home for the Rays began with one location: the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry campus. It was the only site in the country capable of hosting a college, a Major League Baseball stadium, and a full mixed‑use development on the same 130‑acre footprint. That combination made the proposal not just viable, but visionary.
As a proud graduate of Hillsborough Community College — part of both the Dale Mabry campus launch and the Ybor City campus launch before earning my BA and master’s degrees from USF — the idea of HCC evolving into a tech‑forward, modern campus carries real personal meaning. Seeing the college positioned at the center of a transformative regional project is something I never imagined decades ago.
Giving Credit Where It’s Due
While I have not often been a supporter of Governor Ron DeSantis, it is important to acknowledge that he was the first politician to publicly suggest using the HCC Dale Mabry campus for the new Rays stadium.
In January 2026, during a news conference in Pinellas Park, DeSantis stated he was in favor of a Rays stadium on land occupied by the Hillsborough College North Dale Mabry campus. He argued the proposal could benefit the Tampa region and help keep baseball in Tampa Bay. He later reiterated this position at a February 2026 news conference held at the college, explaining that the state would support the plan by conveying state‑owned property to HCC so the college could negotiate directly with the Rays.
His comments came before the Hillsborough College trustees approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to begin informal talks with the team. DeSantis also pointed to the success of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the potential for a mixed‑use stadium district to attract visitors beyond baseball fans.
Whether one agrees with him politically or not, his early public endorsement helped legitimize the idea and move it into serious consideration.
A Unique 130‑Acre Vision
The HCC site offered something no other location in the country could match: a college campus integrated with a major league stadium and a modern mixed‑use district. The Rays’ ownership group saw the potential immediately. The plan would create a walkable, tech‑savvy environment with classrooms, residential areas, retail, entertainment, and a ballpark all connected.
For HCC, the project represents an opportunity to evolve into a next‑generation campus — one that blends education, technology, and community development. For Tampa, it represents a chance to anchor a long‑term baseball future while building a district that generates activity year‑round.
A Graduate’s Perspective
Having been part of the early days of both the Dale Mabry and Ybor City campuses, I know how much HCC has meant to generations of students. The idea that the college could now become the centerpiece of one of the most ambitious development projects in Florida is something that resonates deeply.
It is rare to see a college positioned at the heart of a major sports and economic development plan. It is even rarer to see a site that can support all three components — education, sports, and mixed‑use growth — without compromise.
The Rays needed a home. Tampa needed a catalyst. Hillsborough College provided both.
