The city of St. Petersburg will spend about $6.5 million to clean and protect against further damage to Tropicana Field, the home of baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays that was severely damaged by Hurricane Milton.

The stadium’s translucent fiberglass dome was shattered by the Oct. 9 storm, leaving in doubt whether it can be repaired in time to start the 2025 season. Major League Baseball wants the Rays play home games in the area if the stadium isn’t ready, likely at one of several local spring training sites.

He St. Petersburg City Hall voted Thursday to approve two contracts with companies to clean up pieces of roof littering the stadium, remove damaged turf and waterproof numerous areas, including the scoreboard, seating areas, suites and press box, according to court documents. city. The stadium does not have a drainage system and could suffer additional damage to the entire structure due to rain without its roof.

“We need to act quickly to protect the building from further damage,” said City Manager Rob Gerdes.

RELATED: St. Petersburg leaders reduced Tropicana Field’s insurance coverage ahead of hurricane season

Continued analysis will determine what it will take to fully repair the Trop, as it is known locally, including the cost and completion timeline. Complicating the situation is the city’s plan to build a new $1.3 billion baseball stadium that would open in 2028, part of a much larger project. urban revitalization project which was approved earlier this year. Under that agreement, the Rays agree to remain in St. Petersburg for another 30 years.

“Is it worth the investment we are making in this building that will only be used for three more years?” said council member Brandi Gabbard.

The two cleanup and mitigation contracts are for $3.9 million for BMS CAT and $2.5 million for Hennessy Construction Services Corp., according to city documents. The money would be part of a projected $22 million deductible the city has with Trop’s insurers, who will insist the building be protected from further damage.

Some councilors wanted to delay Thursday’s vote until more information is available about the future of the stadium. But that effort failed in a tie vote, and some council members said it is essential to stop any further destruction.

“It’s about stopping the bleeding. It sounds like pay now or pay later and pay more later,” said Councilwoman Gina Driscoll.

Suggestions for a temporary home for the Rays have included local spring training sites used by the Phillies, Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates and Tigers. A little further away is the Rays’ spring training complex in Port Charlotte, about 85 miles (136 kilometers) south of St. Petersburg. Another option may be the baseball stadium at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando.

The Rays staff has already moved to a nearby office.

MLB seeks to have a plan for 2025 ready by Christmas.

“We can make it work in a minor league park.” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said during the World Series: which concluded on Wednesday with the loss of the Los Angeles Dodgers over the New York Yankees. “I think there’s probably some flexibility in terms of what we do with the major league schedule.”