Mayor forecasts 100,000-plus in St. Pete over World Series

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch forecast more than 100,000 people in the city over the course of the World Series, attending games and watch parties or visiting restaurants and other businesses. City officials also outlined shuttle, security and fan-event plans ahead of the Rays’ home games.

FOX 13 reported the forecast as covering the World Series. It is a projection, not a measured attendance or visitor count, and does not establish how many distinct people will come to the city. It also should not be read as a stadium attendance estimate: the forecast includes several kinds of activity across St. Petersburg.

The first two games are scheduled in Milwaukee. The Rays’ first home game at Tropicana Field is set for Oct. 26, followed by a game on Oct. 27. An Oct. 28 home game is scheduled only if necessary.

Shuttles, parking and security i

Police Chief Anthony Holloway said four shuttles would run from downtown city parking lots to Tropicana Field. He cited downtown parking available for as little as $25 and an average of $150 at some lots near the stadium. The difference is $125, and $150 is six times $25—but those figures are not a like-for-like survey of all lots. The lower figure is a starting price, while the higher is an average for some stadium-area lots. Fans can use them as a rough comparison, but should check the rate and location of a specific lot.

Officials described a security operation involving local, state and federal partners, officers inside and outside the stadium, and drones to help manage traffic. FOX 13 reported that more than 100 police officers and K-9 teams would be part of the operation.

Watch parties and Central Avenue events i

Tropicana Field is scheduled to host official watch parties during the Rays’ road games. The games will be shown on a 171-by-36-foot video board, giving fans an announced stadium option while the team is away.

Two block parties were scheduled on Central Avenue between 13th and 15th streets, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 24. By 8:23 p.m. EDT on Oct. 23, that day’s scheduled party window had ended; the Oct. 24 event was still scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m.