Archaeologists will work to confirm graves under Tropicana Field lot

Colleen Wright, Tampa Bay Times on Mar 5, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

TAMPA, Fla. — Archaeologists will soon begin work to confirm whether 10 potential graves found in a November 2024 survey remain under a Tropicana Field parking lot.

The St. Petersburg City Council approved $378,896 Thursday to begin the third phase of determining whether graves remain after cemeteries there were moved out. The city began looking into that land in the Historic Gas Plant District six years ago for the redevelopment of the Trop.

While preparation will begin before opening day on April 6, digging will start after baseball season ends for the Tampa Bay Rays to avoid interference with home games. The World Series begins Oct. 23, but work could start before then. Funding approved for the project covers any needed asphalt resurfacing.

Archaeologists will dig up to 15 feet into the earth to identify what previous ground-penetrating radar detected in Lot 1 at the corner of Fifth Avenue South and 16th Street South.

Archaeologists will excavate dirt by hand down to the coffin to confirm whether human remains are present in at least four graves.

That land was once home to Oaklawn Cemetery, a majority-white cemetery. Research done by Stantec, the city’s consultant, identified 13 lots that were sold along the southern edge of Lot 1 near Fifth Avenue South. That’s where Stantec’s results found more possible graves.

Royal Court Apartments were built atop Oaklawn in 1949. Stantec noted that many tree roots and buried utility lines, storm drains and electrical conduits for parking lot lights were in the way and made it hard to discern possible graves.

“We were relieved to see most of the cemetery was properly removed,” said Derek Kilborn, the city’s planning and development director.

Two other cemeteries were located south of Oaklawn. To the west, Evergreen Cemetery was historically Black and Moffett Cemetery to the east served both Black and white residents and veterans.

Both of those cemeteries are covered by Interstate 175 and are difficult to access. Apartments were also built atop those cemeteries but demolished to make way for the interstate.

After archaeologists dig into the earth, screen samples and identify and catalog any found remains and artifacts, Stantec will complete a technical report for the city.

If any human remains are found, work must stop at the site, said engineering director Brejesh Prayman. State authorities would be contacted, he said, and state processes would begin.

Handling of graves at the site was part of the due diligence in a now-dead deal to build a stadium and surrounding development. After the Rays and developer Hines did not move forward with that plan, the city resumed the lead on the cemetery project.

The city is now on its third attempt in six years to find a developer for all 86 acres. The mayor’s office is considering eight proposals after one withdrew.

Only one plan, the Burg Bid by Blake Investment Partners, mentions the cemeteries as part of its historical research.

_____