When news of a deal that would keep the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg broke in September, all eyes fell upon St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch. His three predecessors had been unable to do what Welch seemingly accomplished after he reframed the project as one that included affordable housing. City Hall reporter Colleen Wright talks about Welch’s role in driving the deal so far and what he needs to do to close it.
","author_name":"Tampa Bay Times"}