Reluctantly, St. Petersburg’s City Council has approved two contracts totaling up to $6.5 million to prevent further deterioration of Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton left the stadium’s roof severely damaged.

Since the city is responsible for maintaining Tropicana Field, officials must address damage promptly to comply with insurance terms. In a 6-2 vote on Thursday, council members approved waterproofing measures and water damage mitigation for the stadium, though the contracts do not cover roof or structural repairs. Members expressed frustration over limited information about the overall repair needs, but city administrators warned that delays could substantially increase liability risks.

“We’re investing in repairs with little clarity about what’s happening,” said Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz. “How many people with a damaged house would just do that?”

The city’s emergency management director, Amber Boulding, reported $75 million in damage to city facilities from the storms, with $48 million estimated for Tropicana Field alone. The mayor’s office expects a final damage assessment by November 8. After paying a $22.5 million deductible, the maximum insurance payout could reach $22 million.

The council also discussed the possibility of demolishing the stadium. Rob Gerdes, city administrator, explained that they would halt repairs if further inspections revealed serious structural concerns. “At this point, I see no indication of major structural issues, but it’s a fluid situation,” Gerdes noted.

Councilmembers reluctantly acknowledged the need for immediate action to protect the city’s investment and avoid potential lawsuits. Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders remarked, “No one wants to be here making this decision, but it has to be done.”

The council approved a $2.5 million contract with Hennessy Construction Service to install piping systems to divert water from seating areas. City architect Raul Quintana stated this work, set to begin immediately, should be completed within six to eight weeks.

In addition, a $3.99 million proposal from BMS CAT was approved to address water damage in administrative areas, a process expected to take around 60 days. Beth Herendeen, managing director of city development, confirmed the work could be stopped if new information warranted it.

The city has already paid Hennessy $250,000 for initial damage assessments, and an additional $416,353 was awarded to Global Rope Access to remove remaining sections of the roof, a task now 80% complete.

Councilmember Brandi Gabbard, describing the stadium’s interior as “post-apocalyptic,” advocated for delaying the vote, especially with so many residents facing their own storm losses. Gerdes emphasized that the repairs were essential for protecting taxpayers from higher costs in the future.

Risk Manager Blaise Mazzola echoed the urgency, stating, “Insurance adjusters wanted action on day one. Delaying further could create serious issues.”

Despite the concerns, Councilmembers Copley Gerdes, Gabbard, Figgs-Sanders, Ed Montanari, Gina Driscoll, and John Muhammad voted in favor of the repairs, while Hanewicz and Councilmember Richie Floyd voted against.

(Image credit: Fox 59 Indianapolis)