The Sabal

Real estate developers are often criticized for not respecting the fabric of existing communities and for being too profit-driven. It is these issues, among others, that often lead to neighborhood groups and residents opposing new development, particularly when a project is being proposed by an out-of-town developer. 

But one local developer hopes to change these notions by giving back to the community and encouraging other businesses to do the same. Salt Palm Development, located at 3446 1st Avenue North in St. Pete, was recently certified as the first B Corp real estate development company in the southeastern United States. 

This quarter was packed full of groundbreakings!  After over a decade of planning, construction has finally commenced on the new St. Pete pier. Construction crews have started driving piles into Tampa Bay to support the over-water portion of the pier.  It will take 6 months to complete the pile driving process, however construction on the pier deck is scheduled to begin as early as October.

In other groundbreaking news, located on Fourth Avenue North between Third and Fourth streets, the Museum of the American Arts of Crafts Movement site was fenced off this quarter for site preparation.  The $70 million privately funded museum will occupy 137,000 square feet and stand 5 stories tall. The museum will include a 100-seat auditorium, a resource library, a children's education center, a 300-seat upscale restaurant, a cafe, retail store and event space. The expected opening date is May 2019.