St. Pete will quickly settle for proposals for creating Gasoline Plant District after Rays deal falls by way of

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Town of St. Petersburg will quickly be fielding affords for 86 acres of prime downtown actual property, and a few builders have already begun courting officers with their visions for the positioning.

At a latest metropolis council assembly, members mentioned subsequent steps and methods to consider proposals. St. Pete council member Brandi Gabbard desires town to rent a 3rd occasion for an unbiased research.

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“Fairly frankly, anytime a developer involves you, it’s based mostly on the yield they’ll make on the property,” she mentioned.

May the Rays keep in St. Pete?

Whereas the Tampa Bay Rays’ future stays unsure, the crew hasn’t totally dominated out staying in St. Petersburg. Two weeks in the past, the brand new house owners indicated all choices had been on the desk, however St. Pete leaders aren’t ready round. 

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch mentioned town is now in a distinct place than it was throughout earlier negotiations.

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“It is a completely different time, completely different circumstances,” Welch mentioned. “One of many main leverage factors was the event rights on the land. Town has that now.”

Gasoline Plant District proposals

Why you must care:

Earlier this month, a neighborhood group of buyers, Ark Ellison Horus, submitted a proposal for the Gasoline Plant District that features housing, an African American historical past museum, an amphitheater, retail and a resort.

That plan seems to be engaging to town and at the very least, partially, prompted town to open up the method for “aggressive” proposals. In an announcement, Welch mentioned he intends to make sure any redevelopment displays town’s broader values:

“I intend to make sure that any redevelopment displays the values and priorities of our total neighborhood, honoring our historical past whereas creating pathways for inclusive progress and a thriving future for all in our metropolis,” he mentioned.

READ: Tampa Bay Rays sale finalized with new possession group led by Florida-based enterprise govt

What they’re saying:

Earlier than the affords begin pouring in, council members are weighing whether or not to fund an impartial research to guage the land’s finest use and true worth. Gabbard emphasised that query: “What’s the finest use of this property? And the way can we get our greatest return on funding?”

St. Pete council member Lisset Hanewicz added that fundamental metropolis wants, resembling whether or not parcels of land may be wanted for a hearth station, or different metropolis features, also needs to be evaluated. 

“It’s not like Barbie’s dream home or a stadium,” Hanewicz mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s the fundamentals, we now have to determine the fundamentals first.”

What’s subsequent:

The Discover for Proposals is predicted to be printed in mid-November. builders may have 30 days to submit their plans for one in all St. Pete’s most precious – and carefully watched – parcels of land.