Four developers compete to build affordable townhomes on former SPC site in west St. Pete
/The 5.24-acre spc site the city is seeking to redevelop into a for-sale affordable townhome community | google earth
Four development teams have responded to the city’s request for proposals (RFP) to build affordable housing on a city-owned property in west St. Pete.
The city has released the four proposals it received in response to a reissued RFP to redevelop a 5.24-acre property at 7045 Burlington Avenue North.
The city purchased the site from St. Petersburg College in 2024 for $4.2 million. It currently features a two-story building on the south end that formerly housed the college’s Gibbs Wellness Center, while the north end remains vacant.
The respondents include local developer HP Capital Group in partnership with national homebuilder D.R. Horton; joint venture partners Habitat for Humanity Gulfside and homebuilder Namasté Homes; Tampa-based homebuilder Ramos Development LLC in partnership with Land Advisors Organization and technology-forward homebuilder ONX Homes; and affordable housing homebuilder McDowell Housing Partners LLC.
The solicitation comes nearly a year after the city issued a similar RFP that received three responses.
Both HP Capital Group, in partnership with national homebuilder D.R. Horton, and the joint venture of Habitat for Humanity Gulfside and homebuilder Namasté Homes responded to both the original and current RFPs for the site.
According to the published RFP, the city is seeking to enter into a lease or purchase agreement with a developer to build 105 for-sale affordable townhomes, prioritizing units for SPC students, teachers, and faculty.
The four new proposals will be presented to the city administration for consideration and a recommendation will be given to the City Council for approval.
HP Capital Group and D.R. Horton
The homes would replicate the design of the Palm townhome development | d.r. horton
Local developer HP Capital Group, in partnership with national homebuilder D.R. Horton, has once again submitted a proposal to the city to build 72 affordable townhomes.
HPC, which developed the 18-story Reflection condo tower in downtown St. Pete, is seeking to either purchase the property or enter into a ground lease with the city to build for-sale townhomes reserved for residents earning between 50% and 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Under the proposal, HPC would develop the land into 72 pad-ready townhome lots. D.R. Horton would then purchase the finished lots for $90,000 each and construct the 72 townhomes.
An estimated $2.7 million from the lot sales would be used to fund down payment assistance.
Residents earning 80% of AMI would receive an average of $67,000 in down payment assistance. Those earning 120% of AMI would receive an average of $21,000.
The townhomes would be built in three phases, each consisting of 24 units. The first set of townhomes would be delivered within 21 months following the contract agreement.
The units, which are expected to mirror the design of other townhomes co-developed by D.R. Horton and HPC, would be two-story, three-bedroom homes, each measuring approximately 1,551 square feet.
The average sale price would be $345,000.
If an amenity space is not desired by the city, the unit count could increase to 74 townhomes.
Habitat for Humanity and Namasté Homes
Joint venture partners Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside and homebuilder Namasté Homes propose to build a 93-unit development featuring affordable townhomes, villas, and a community green space.
The partners are asking the city to contribute the land at no cost to support the project's affordability.
Namasté Homes, which has built several local affordable housing projects including the Sixteenth Square Townhomes in south St. Pete, would lead the project and oversee construction. Habitat for Humanity would provide financial management and lead the marketing efforts.
The $42 million development targets SPC staff, alumni, current students, and city and county employees, including first responders. 33% percent of the homes would be set aside for families earning up to 80% of AMI, and 57% would be reserved for families earning up to 120% of AMI. The remaining 10% would be sold at market rate.
The townhomes and villas would range from 726 to 1,496 square feet and include one- to four-bedroom layouts. The homes would wrap around the perimeter of the site to provide attractive frontage for the surrounding area.
The complex would include 185 parking spaces distributed throughout the site, providing two spaces per unit. Garages and electric vehicle charging stations would be included.
The development team would consist of Clearwater-based Klar and Klar Architects, Vickstrom Engineering Services, a Tampa-based structural engineer Pennoni.
Vertical construction would begin in September 2026 and be completed by late 2029.
Ramos Development
ONX elevation for 1,470 to 1,600-square-foot homes | onyx homes
Tampa-based affordable homebuilder Ramos Development LLC proposes to build a 96-unit affordable for-sale townhome development.
The units would serve households earning up to 80 and 120% of AMI, as well as SPC students and staff.
The team, working in partnership with Land Advisors Organization and technology-focused homebuilder ONX Homes, is asking the city to contribute the land at no cost and provide down payment assistance for units reserved for residents earning up to 80% of the AMI.
SPC staff, students, and alumni would have the first right of refusal to purchase 29 of the units.
The 2-story elevation options from Past Projects | onyx homes
The unit mix would include five two-bedroom homes, each 1,470 square feet and priced at $250,000, reserved for residents earning 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The remaining 91 units would be three-bedroom homes, each 1,600 square feet, reserved for residents earning 120% of AMI and priced between $300,000 and $357,000.
All the homes would be constructed using ONYX Homes’ X⁺ system, which features precast concrete walls and factory-made bathroom pods. This modular approach, the company says, enables them to complete a home in just 30 days.
The $29 million community would contain 184 parking spaces.
Construction would begin in early 2026 and be completed by mid-2027.
The total development cost is estimated at $28,840,254.
McDowell Housing Partners
a rendering of ekos on burlington | McDowell Housing Partners
Homebuilder McDowell Housing Partners (MHP) proposes to build a 120-unit for-rent townhome development called Ekos on Burlington.
MHP is the affordable development and investment arm of McDowell Properties, a national multifamily investment company focused on acquiring, managing, and repositioning apartment communities across the United States.
The team is seeking a 99-year lease with an option to purchase the property from the city.
The project would include 120 units spread across six two-story buildings. The homes, offering one- and two-bedroom options, would serve residents earning up to 30% and 80% AMI.
A representatve image of ekos on burlington | McDowell Housing Partners
“MHP is open to exploring for-sale components in future phases or parallel efforts, but views affordable rental housing as the most viable solution for the redevelopment of the SPC Wellness site,” the group wrote in its proposal.
The community would include 157 parking spaces, bike storage, a clubhouse with co-working spaces and a fitness center, a swimming pool, a dog park, and a walking trail.
The development team would consist of Florida-based Slocum Platts Architects and civil engineer Clearview Land Design.
Construction would begin in June 2026 and be completed by August 2027.
The project cost is estimated at approximately $49.7 million.
