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Dive Brief:
- The Tampa Bay Rays want a new manager, but not in the clubhouse. Major League Baseball’s franchise has issued a request for qualifications, seeking a risk-taking construction manager for a new $2.3 billion ballpark.
- Posted on June 29 and obtained by public radio station WUSF, the The RFQ established a number of deadlines which includes a statement of qualifications by July 28, with an official selection announcement scheduled for August 14.
- It’s the latest in the franchise’s stadium saga, where hurricanes and cost considerations have disrupted plans and timelines. The team was introduced for the first time this vision of their new ballpark in march
Diving knowledge:
Due to the size and scope of megaprojects, most major professional sports facilities are delivered under the Construction manager method at risk.
The Rays expect the stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., to be about 1.3 million gross square feet with a minimum fixed seating capacity of 28,000, potentially with the option to expand for special occasions such as concerts or global sporting events.
For the construction schedule, the RFQ lists a completion and substantial occupancy date of December 31, 2028, with final completion expected to be March 1, 2029. The stadium will need to be ready for MLB Opening Day in 2029; for reference, the first game of the MLB regular season this year was March 25.
“The CM is expected to be a nationally recognized sports builder extensive experience in the construction of large indoor sports facilities,” says the RFQ.
The Rays have already tapped Kansas City, Mo.-based Populous to design the project.
