One of the main sticking points in getting a stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays built in Tampa revolves around a little-known funding source.
It’s called a CRA — or community redevelopment agency — which reinvests property tax growth generated from the improvements back into the area. The Rays are counting on getting $100 million from the CRA based in the Drew Park neighborhood of West Tampa, where the stadium would be located.
The money would be given upfront to the team by bonds issued by the CRA and paid back over time as tax revenues increase in the district…