St. Pete advances Gas Plant proposal process

Mayor Ken Welch told the Catalyst in May that St. Petersburg would prioritize creating affordable senior housing around Tropicana Field. That is the sole focus of a redevelopment proposal submitted Oct. 8.

The Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) hopes to construct an 80-unit facility for low-income seniors, particularly those who once lived in the Historic Gas Plant District, at 1659 3rd Ave. S. The site is currently a city-owned parking lot used for Tampa Bay Rays games. 

However, the city referenced a $6.8 billion plan, submitted Oct. 3 by Ark Ellison Horus, when announcing its intention to welcome additional proposals. Officials said Tuesday that they will open a 30-day window for “alternative or competing proposals” in mid-November, as required by state law when selling property in a community redevelopment area. 

“I intend to ensure that any redevelopment reflects the values and priorities of our entire community- honoring our history while creating pathways for inclusive progress and a thriving future for all in our city,” Welch said in a prepared statement. 

Many insiders believed the public notice was imminent after ARK Ellison Horus submitted its offer Oct. 3. The city’s announcement states that it is “in receipt of an unsolicited proposal to redevelop the approximately 86 acres of property in the Historic Gas Plant District.”

Florida Statute 163.380  requires the 30 day period for competing proposals if the City plans to dispose of some or all of a property, indicating administrators think enough of the Ark Ellison Horus proposal to begin that process. 

Council Chair Copley Gerdes previously said that Ark Ellison Horus “checked a lot of boxes.” He noted that the city “continues to attract great talent to a site that we know can be something very special.” 

PCHA’s team includes St. Petersburg-based Ascension Real Estate Partners and Storyn Studio for Architecture, a key member of the previous Rays and Hines development team. The group believes its proposal “represents a unique opportunity to transform a currently underutilized parcel into a community asset that addresses a pressing need for affordable senior housing in St. Petersburg, while honoring the city’s commitment to the Historic Gas Plant Community.” 

Welch has also prioritized building a new Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Black-owned Storyn Studio has continued to work with the institution’s leadership after the Rays exited an arduously negotiated stadium deal in March. 

Neil Brickfield, executive director of the PCHA, noted that Story Studio initially conceptualized the proposed project when part of the Rays and Hines development team. “They’re an awesome architect and firm, and it was a natural fit to join up with them,” he said. 

Brickfield said his group, which suggested a $1 purchase price to create “deeply affordable” senior housing at the .58-acre site, was already working on its proposal when Ark Ellison Horus broached a partnership with the Pinellas and St. Petersburg Housing Authorities. The agencies would oversee the “much bigger” project’s affordable housing. 

“We let them know right away that we had a potential conflict and that we intended to go ahead with this,” Brickfield added. “Nobody in those discussions thought that would preclude us from anything else. Everybody was aware of what’s going on, and we still intend to be involved in whatever the City of St. Petersburg decides.” 

Ark Ellison Horus said in a prepared statement Tuesday that the team “is aware of the proposal submitted by the Pinellas County Housing Authority and plans to thoroughly review it, to better understand what the plan entails.” 

The city could potentially select both proposals. Its announcement stated that interested parties could lease, purchase or develop “all or a portion of the Historic Gas Plant District property.” 

The city council recently agreed to discuss hiring the Urban Land Institute, the world’s oldest and largest network of land-use experts, to study the site. Councilmember Brandi Gabbard said the report would help determine if “it’s even right to go with a master plan developer.” 

“Honoring the promises made to our community, including the residents of the Historic Gas Plant District, has been a top priority of my administration, and we continue to explore ways to pursue impactful outcomes that reflect the needs and aspirations of our residents,” Welch said Tuesday. 

Brickfield believes his proposal will help accomplish those goals. He noted that PCHA’s mission is to provide quality affordable housing and improve the lives of residents, “and that’s what we intend to do.” 

The agency already houses approximately 2,500 low-income seniors, those earning less than 80% of the area median income. Brickfield thought the Gas Plant provided a “great opportunity to be in downtown St. Pete” and a “great way to fulfill the city’s desires.” 

“I think the vision of affordable housing that has a preference for Historic Gas Plant residents is a wonderful vision,” Brickfield continued. “And I think the Ark Ellison Horus vision is a fantastic vision for the City of St. Petersburg.”