Developer chosen to bring affordable housing to former Tomlinson Adult Learning Center in downtown St. Pete
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The nearly century-old Tomlinson Building in downtown St. Petersburg’s Mirror Lake neighborhood will get a new lease on life thanks to a plan that’s been greenlit by Pinellas County Schools (PCS), which owns the property and in fall 2022 issued a request for proposals for the property at 296 Mirror Lake Drive.
According to a news release, a group called Tomlinson Community Partners (TCP), a joint venture between Dantes Partners and Goshen + Cornerstone, has been chosen to transform the 1.36-acre site, which includes two surface parking lots and the three-story, 40,942-square-foot Tomlinson Building.
The Tomlinson Building opened in 1924 as St. Petersburg Junior High School and became a vocational high school in 1931. In 1935, the name was changed to Edwin H. Tomlinson Vocational School. Another name change occurred in 1978, when it became known as the Tomlinson Adult Learning Center.
If all goes to plan, the site’s next iteration will include attainable workforce housing for teachers and district employees, which was a priority for Pinellas County Schools when it issued the RFP.
The 1.3-acre site, owned by Pinellas COunty Schools, is situated west of Mirror Lake at 296 Mirror Lake Drive | Google Maps
Tomlinson Community Partners’ proposal includes 225 residential units with 113 units designated as workforce housing for teachers and district employees. Those units will cater to individuals earning 90% to 120% of the local area median income (AMI) with estimated monthly rent between $1,263 and $2,160. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments will be available.
The remaining 112 units will be available to the public at market value, with rental prices ranging from $2,156 to $ 2,771 monthly.
The proposed design will incorporate 40 residential units within the existing building, with retail and amenities for the apartment community at ground level fronting Mirror Lake Drive and 3rd Avenue North.
The currently undeveloped portions of the site will a contain a proposed 14-story tower at the northeast corner of the site and a 10-story mid-rise along 8th Street North. The two towers will contain a total of 185 residential units.
A parking podium with 182 parking spaces will be incorporated into the base of the towers.
The ground floor would contain retail and amenity space along 8th Street North and 3rd Avenue North.
A site plan of the proposed mixed-use project by Tomlinson Community Partners (TCP), a joint venture between Dantes Partners and Goshen + Cornerstone | Pinellas County Schools
“The innovative and collaborative approach of the Tomlinson Community Partners aligns with Pinellas County Schools’ goal to support the housing needs of our dedicated educators and employees,” PCS Superintendent Kevin Hendrick stated in the release. “To attract and retain the best teachers and district employees, we must proactively provide accessible and appealing housing choices.”
TCP’s proposal also includes a common area, gym, and parking for PCS teachers and staff members, who will have free access to those and other amenities.
A joint venture between Dantes Partners and the development team of Goshen + Cornerstone, TCP was one of four groups to respond to the RFP in February. The others were Sherman Associates, HP Capital Managers, and a joint venture between White Keys Real Estate Partners and JCT Development, although the latter’s bid didn’t make PCS’s shortlist.
“Being chosen to redevelop the historic Tomlinson Building is a responsibility we do not take lightly,” Dantes Partners Founder and CEO Buwa Binitie stated in the release. “It is our sincere hope that this development will not only meet the immediate housing needs but also foster a more integrated inclusive community that supports the success of all its residents.”
The existing Tomlinson building in the foreground with a proposed 14-story residential tower to the west fronting 8th Street North. The spherical sculpture in the front has been conceptualized by local artist Ya La’Ford and will be commissioned as part of the development plan | Pinellas County Schools
Dantes Partners is also heading the affordable housing element of the Hines / Tampa Bay Rays proposal, which was chosen by St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, for the 86-acre Gas Plant District in downtown St. Pete.
The next step in the process for the Tomlinson site will be the development and approval of a comprehensive plan and timeline for the project, which is expected to be completed in 2026, according to the release.
“Together, Pinellas County Schools and Tomlinson Community Partners are committed to creating a space that also honors the building’s rich history,” Pinellas County Chief Operations Officer Clint Herbic said in the release.
