Seven-story affordable apartment building for seniors proposed for city-owned lot in downtown St. Pete
/The city-owned property has been historically used as parking for Tampa Bay Rays games | Google Maps
The City of St. Pete has received another offer to redevelop part of the Historic Gas Plant District in downtown St. Pete.
The Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) has submitted an unsolicited proposal to purchase and redevelop a city-owned parking lot at 1659 3rd Avenue South into an 80-unit affordable housing building for seniors.
In 2023, the Rays and Hines submitted a nearly identical proposal for the same site.
The property, which sits adjacent to the recently completed Modera St. Petersburg apartment tower, has been historically used as parking for Tampa Bay Rays games.
In an October 8th offer letter to the city, PCHA Executive Director Neil Brickfield detailed plans for a seven-story building designed by St. Pete-based Storyn Studio for Architecture in partnership with local developer Ascension Real Estate Partners.
The proposal calls for the City to convey the land to PCHA so it can utilize the Affordable Housing Voucher Program to ensure long-term affordability.
An aerial view of the city-owned parking lot at 1659 3rd Avenue South | Google Maps
The development would include 80 apartments averaging 700 square feet, with 12 surface parking spaces, on-site amenities including ground-floor and rooftop community areas, and direct access to the Pinellas Trail.
The units would serve seniors earning 60% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and preference would be given to those who previously resided in the Historic Gas Plant District.
“The city has expressed a desire very publicly to help former residents of the Historic Gas Plant District have a place in a new Gas Plant District,” Brickfield said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “This is an opportunity to deliver on that.”
The proposal states this development would “serve as a catalyst and model for future affordable housing within and around the Historic Gas Plant District and Innovation District.”
Massing for the proposed seven-story, 80-unit affordable housing building for seniors | Storyn Studio
Brickfield added that the project complements, rather than competes with, the affordable housing commitments outlined in the redevelopment proposal for the Historic Gas Plant District submitted earlier this month by Ellison Companies, ARK Invest, and Horus Construction.
The City has not yet formally responded to either proposal.
However, yesterday, the city announced plans to publish a notice in mid-November inviting private developers and other interested parties to submit proposals for the redevelopment of the entire 86-acre site.
Brickfield said PCHA is ready to move forward if given the opportunity: “If we’re selected, we’ll use every available funding source to make this a reality.”
