Tesla proposes 100,000 square foot facility in St. Pete
/Tesla has proposed a sales, service, and delivery center at 4601 34th Street North in St. Pete. The building was formerly home to a Kane’s Furniture liquidation center.
Tesla Motors has proposed an expansive sales, service, and delivery center in St. Pete.
The electric vehicle company is under contract to purchase a 4.21-acre site at 4601 34th Street North. The property features an existing 100,000 square foot building that previously operated as a Kane’s Furniture liquidation center.
According to plans submitted to Pinellas County, Tesla will renovate the former Kane’s Furniture building with a 3,000 square foot showroom fronting 34th Street, a 35,000 - 45,000 square foot service center dedicated to maintenance and repairs, an 8,000 - 10,000 square foot parts department, and a 50,000 square foot vehicle storage facility.
The property resides in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Plan which was created to promote redevelopment and spur revitalization of blighted conditions and improve the overall quality of life.
The proposed tesla facility resides in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area
“This will spark a tidal wave of economic development in one of the area's most deserving communities,” said David Lee, the manager of Residents for a Better Lealman Facebook group. “Lealman is a geographic gem located right in the center of Pinellas County. Tesla figured it out, many others will follow.”
At least one other major tech company has also “figured it out”. Just two miles from the proposed Tesla facility, Amazon recently broke ground on a new 40,000 square foot “last-mile” delivery station at 6101 45th Street North. In e-commerce, a last-mile facility refers the final step in the supply chain, when a product transfers from a distribution center to the customer's home.
Additionally, the new Tesla facility will create high paying jobs for the area. Many of the technicians require extensive software training given that Tesla’s automobiles utilize advanced technology to power their electric vehicles. This location will employ more than 50 software service automotive technicians.
“Tesla coming to Pinellas, coming to Lealman is exciting on multiple levels,” said Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice in an email to St Pete Rising. “First we get an improved use and quality of the property with better paying jobs. Secondly, this kind of high profile name brand choosing Lealman will help continue to share the message that Lealman is the right location for your company. Pinellas is ready and open for business.”
On April 6th, the project was approved by the Pinellas County Board of Adjustment and Appeals (BOAA) subject to site plan approval and obtaining all required permits.
According to plans submitted to Pinellas County, Tesla will renovate the former Kane’s Furniture building into a showroom, service center, parts department, and vehicle storage facility.
“Tesla Motors brings a cutting edge, forward-thinking, innovative, and sustainable concept to the Lealman area with planned work to improve the overall structural conditions and appearance of the property which will greatly benefit the community,” the company stated in a Letter of Intent to Pinellas County.
Although the existing footprint of the building will remain unchanged, new features such as enhanced exterior lighting and curb stops will provide for safer driving conditions. New landscaping and a new building façade are among other changes planned for the site.
There is no timeline for when the new Tesla facility will begin construction at 4601 34th Street North.
