TAMPA -- Rays managing partner and co-chair Patrick Zalupski laid out the club’s criteria and plans to build a new ballpark in the area that will be ready for Opening Day in 2029.

Zalupski, who officially took over as the control person for Tampa Bay’s new ownership group last week , said the Rays want to build a fixed-roof stadium -- a “forever home” -- to “anchor a best-in-class mixed-use development” that would require at least 100 acres of land for what he called a “world-class live/work/play experience.”

Finding a long-term home for the Rays was a long-running and ultimately elusive challenge for former principal owner Stuart Sternberg, leading him to sell the team . Zalupski, co-chair Bill Cosgrove and chief executive officer Ken Babby believe the new ownership group can get it

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