St. Petersburg mayor Ken Welch said the city is prepared to move on without the Tampa Bay Rays if the currently precarious stadium deal falls through. The

St. Petersburg, Fla., mayor Ken Welch said Tuesday that the city will move ahead with its plan to redevelop the Gas Plant District, even if the Rays opt out of a deal to build a $1.3 billion stadium in the area by 2028.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch had a message for the Tampa Bay Rays: Either take the previously negotiated stadium deal or walk away from the plan. Welch made the remarks during his annual state of the city address on Tuesday.