Correction: a previous version of this story said 7,000 parking spots are now open. While all 14 lots at Tropicana Field have 7,000 spaces, the ParkMobile spaces, concentrated in four lots, total 3,800 spaces.

As more people come to town, and as more construction gets underway, one of the casualties of that growth has been available parking in the downtown area. Now, St. Pete is getting some relief. In a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, the city announced that parking lots at Tropicana Field are now open to the public, paid for by drivers through ParkMobile, on all days when the stadium isn’t hosting a Rays game or other ticketed event.

Lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 are now open on ParkMobile, and there are some restrictions, as seen in the map below, but the deal opens up much-needed parking for downtown and EDGE District businesses. The parking is available at a flat rate of $6 per day, plus a .45-cent ParkMobile fee.

All told, Tropicana Field has opened up 3,800 parking spaces, and with a SunRunner stop right on the northern edge along 1^st Avenue South, it offers easy connectivity from downtown all the way to the beaches. The Pinellas Trail also goes straight through the property, making it a nice option to park and head out on a bike or scooter.

Of course, on gamedays, parking will be for Rays games, and you can see the full schedule here. With the Rays coming out of the All Star break in first place in the American League, they’ve been a hotter ticket than ever, and they still have upcoming postgame concerts and other promotional experiences. Also, be sure to check out the new food items this year – especially the foot-long tater tot.

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