December 06, 2022

Everything you need to know about the Rays & Hines proposal for the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District

December 06, 2022/ Brian Zucker

Last Friday was the deadline for developers to submit proposals for the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment. Yesterday, all four proposals were published to the City of St. Pete’s website.

Understand that each of these proposals are massive, absolute tomes clocking in at hundreds of pages a piece. Feel free to read the entire proposal here, but don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Lucky for you, we’ve spent hours upon hours combing through each proposal, so you don’t have to. And we are here to provide you with the Cliffs Notes.

August 26, 2022

City of St. Petersburg releases RFP for 86-acre Tropicana Field redevelopment site

August 26, 2022/ Anthony Close

This morning, the City of St. Pete released a new request for proposal for the redevelopment of the 86-acre Tropicana Field site, which is now being referred to by its historical name—the Gas Plant District site.

In June, Mayor Ken Welch recommended the process re-start after not selecting two finalists – Midtown or Sugar Hill – that were narrowed down under the previous mayoral administration.

The decision to re-start the request for proposal process for the redevelopment of Tropicana Field did not come lightly and follows a 15-year journey that began in 2007 when the Tampa Bay Rays announced a proposal to build a new stadium on the downtown St. Pete waterfront.

June 29, 2022

Mayor Welch restarts process for 86-acre Tropicana Field redevelopment site

June 29, 2022/ Brian Zucker

Today, Mayor Ken Welch stood behind a podium on the corner of 16th Street and 5th Avenue South under the 175 overpass to provide a huge update on the Tropicana Field redevelopment saga.

The announcement had been teased for months as the final decision on which proposal Mayor Welch would recommend – Midtown or Sugar Hill.

But instead, in front of a crowd of city leaders, stakeholders, and citizens, Mayor Welch announced that he will restart the process.

December 02, 2021

Mayor Kriseman selects Midtown Development for Tropicana Field redevelopment

December 02, 2021/ Brian Zucker

After a year and a half long process, Mayor Rick Kriseman announced this afternoon his selection of Midtown Development to helm the 86-acre Tropicana Field redevelopment.

In July 2020, the City released a Request for Proposal (RFP) which sought out groups seeking to be the master developer for the property.

In the RFP, the City outlined their desire to partner with a development team to establish a mixed-use neighborhood that recognizes the diverse and rich culture of St. Petersburg while also implementing principles of Smart Cities, sustainability, and a healthy community.

January 27, 2021

Seven proposals revealed for the redevelopment of the 86-acre Tropicana Field site

January 27, 2021/ Anthony Close

Yesterday, the City of St. Petersburg and Mayor Kriseman released seven submissions of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site in downtown St. Pete.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Kriseman also reported on recent discussions the City has had with the Rays. Owner Stu Sternberg had pitched a plan to Kriseman in which city would transfer 50 acres situated to the east of Booker Creek to the team at no charge.

Sternberg also requested that the Rays retain 50% of the development proceeds for the remaining 36 acres located west of Booker Creek.

"If we were to accept this, we would have to reject all of the responses to the RFPs," Kriseman said. "Of even greater concern is the moment the city turns control over to the Rays, the city loses all ability and authority to ensure the community’s voice is heard."