City on Track for Tropicana Field Roof Replacement, Interior Work to Follow
The city remains on schedule to complete the replacement of Tropicana Field’s roof by december, a project for which it committed $23.78 million in April. Access netting, essential for commencing the work, was delivered on July 14. Following the roof installation, contractors are slated to begin notable interior renovations and subsequently, turf replacement.
“We are on the target schedule we said we would be, barring any major weather issues or concerns,” stated a city representative. Councilmember Mike Harting lauded the administration’s efforts on what he described as a “Herculean task in a very short period,” highlighting the complexity of sourcing materials from multiple continents for this unique project.
Despite the progress, concerns about the financial commitment remain. Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz acknowledged the public’s apprehension regarding the expenditure, especially without a definitive future plan for Tropicana Field. “I’m pretty sure that it gives a lot of people heartburn that we have to pay this and not know what the future brings to Tropicana Field,” she commented, adding that she would have strongly advocated for alternatives if any were available.