Could Oldsmar be the key to the Tampa Bay Rays stadium search?

  • Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis to present rural area that could be developed for baseball stadium
  • 120-acre area is near Race Track Road and Tampa Road, near Tampa Bay Downs
  • Plans to be presented Thursday

The city has a plan to entice the baseball team to the area and today its mayor will unveil the plan to the public. 

The undeveloped area is a 120-acre tract of land near Race Track Road and Tampa Road, near Tampa Bay Downs, which owns the land.

On a lark four years ago, Oldsmar Mayor Doug Bevis pitched the idea of a baseball stadium in Oldsmar. The team had not yet received permission to search outside of St. Petersburg and Bevis threw Oldsmar out there kind of tongue and cheek.

But now?

"It really has kind of evolved," Bevis said. "When you first bring up a stadium in Oldsmar, people kind of laugh and say, yeah, Oldsmar, but then when you start to explain the demographics and the household income and the logistics, people start to think it makes sense."

Oldsmar residents, however, are mixed on the idea. 

"I don't think so," said Oldsmar resident Jae Lee. "Because of the traffic wise, it's very heavy, and I know a lot of folks down in Sarasota and other counties in the south, they prefer to have the team in St. Pete." 


The undeveloped area is a 120-acre tract of land near Race Track Road and Tampa Road, near Tampa Bay Downs, which owns the land.

Bevis said he has met with the Rays and team officials are receptive to the idea. The team may be particularly interested because of Oldsmar's location - which basically straddles Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

A stadium venture there could result in joint funding from both counties. 

During the last few years, a local architectural firm has worked pro-bono on stadium plans. Those are expected to be released later today when Bevis details the plans. 

"Something is going to go on that property," Bevis said. "And we would like to present something we think works for the entire community, somewhat of a lifestyle center with all kinds of restaurants and shops and things like that. 

"We create the come early, stay late experience there."

But will it attract fans? 

"It's a lot easier than going to Tampa for all these surrounding communities," said Olsmar resident Jim Bissett. "So I would say they should be able to." 

Oldsmar's infrastructure remains an issue, however. Bevis said any stadium plans would include massive upgrades in the area with major roads widened. Bevis added extended bus routes and a rail line could be part of the plan.