Pinellas approves $85M for Phillies complex, 6-1

Pinellas County commissioners approved an $85 million public contribution to renovate the Philadelphia Phillies’ spring training complex in Clearwater as part of a $205 million redevelopment tied to a long-term lease extension.

The April 21 vote passed 6-1 and authorizes tourism development tax revenue to fund upgrades to BayCare Ballpark and the adjacent Carpenter Complex. The term sheet outlines final agreements, including funding, lease terms and construction, but does not commit funds.

The project builds on a proposal presented earlier this month that outlined a four-party funding structure. In addition to the county’s share, the plan includes $30 million from the city of Clearwater, about $20 million in expected state funding, with the balance from the Phillies.

Commissioner Brian Scott, District 2, cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns about the size of the public contribution compared with private funding.

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“I think this deal is just too lopsided,” Scott said, adding that the county’s share makes up a majority of total funding. He said taxpayer-backed dollars should be the last used in a deal and questioned the return on investment.

Other commissioners supported the project, citing the economic impact of the Phillies’ presence and the use of tourism tax revenue rather than property taxes. County officials said the funding is limited to tourism uses and cannot be used for general services.

Commissioners cited visitor data showing the Philadelphia region as a leading source of tourism to Pinellas County and said spring training drives seasonal travel and local business activity.

“If the Phillies weren’t here, those people would not be coming to Clearwater,” one commissioner said, noting that fans travel to follow the team during spring training.

An earlier study estimated the Phillies generate about $80 million a year in local activity tied to tourism and seasonal residents.

The agreement includes an $850,000 annual marketing commitment from the Phillies to the county’s tourism agency, with a 3% increase starting in 2032. Commissioners said the structure follows recent negotiations, including changes to the timing of the increase.

The project will modernize the BayCare Ballpark campus, including upgrades to the stadium and training facilities. Work is already underway, with prior team investment credited toward its share of the total cost.

The plan would extend the Phillies’ use of the facility through 2047, marking 100 years of the team’s presence in Pinellas County.

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