City Officials will not increase insurance on the Tropicana Field until 2026

In a move that the city of St. Pete feels will provide stability for the local community, the city of St. Pete has announced that it will not be increasing the insurance coverage for Tropicana Field until the year 2026. This decision comes with mixed reviews from the community who has been waiting anxiously on a plan for Tropicana Field. While some community members wish the city would just tear it down, you have some that are hopeful it will be repaired and eventually rebuilt like the city has been planning.

To the dismay of everyone in St. Pete, Hurricane Milton ripped the roof off the old stadium and caused over $55 million in damages to the beloved structure. With a new hurricane season starting in just three months the city does not feel like increasing it's insurance till more stable plans are in place to repair it. The city feels confident what is set in place will be enough coverage to protect Tropicana Field throughout this new hurricane season.

The background to this decision is rooted in the uncertainty about the future of the Tampa Bay Rays and the planned demolition before the roof was blown off. The Rays have called Tropicana Field their home since the team's inception in 1998, and the city has been a steadfast supporter of the organization. However, in recent years, there have been ongoing discussions about the future of the stadium and the potential need for a new facility.

Looking ahead, the city of St. Pete is likely to revisit the insurance coverage for Tropicana Field in 2026. At that time, they will have the opportunity to reevaluate the needs of the stadium and the community, and make any necessary adjustments to the insurance policy. However, for now, the decision to maintain the current coverage feels like a risk city officials are willing to take.

In conclusion, the city of St. Pete's decision to not increase Tropicana Field's insurance coverage until 2026 is a strategic move that hopefully will give time for the Rays and the city to come up with a better plan pertaining to the Trop and the teams future. City officials are also hoping this will save the city of St. Pete money in the long run.