Archaeologists to Dig for Graves at Tropicana Field

0:00It's March 5th, here's your Tampa Bay News in two minutes. Archaeologists in St. Petersburg are gearing up to check for possible graves under a parking lot at Tropicana Field. The City Council just approved nearly $380,000 for the next phase of work. This follows a survey last November that spotted 10 potential burial sites in the historic gas plan district. Preparations start soon, ahead of the race opening day on April 6th. People digging weights until after the baseball season likely post October 23rd World Series. Teams will excavate up to 15 feet deep by hand, targeting at least four spots to see if human remains are there. The site once held Okwan Cemetery, mainly for white residents with two others nearby for black and mixed communities. Those got covered by apartments and interstate 175 years ago. Officials feel relieved that most graves were relocated properly back then, despite roots and old utilities complicating scans. If bones or coffins turn up, work stops right away.

1:01The city calls and state experts to handle it. Then stand-tech consultants write a full report on any fines and artifacts. This ties into bigger redevelopment plans for 86 acres around the stadium. The city dropped a pass deal and now reviews eight developer pitches with just one addressing the cemetery history head on. This story is made possible by our sponsor, see the episode description. A pillow that plays your sound quietly, comfortably, effortlessly. Build for nighttime listening, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com