St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth Welch announced, on July 2, the development teams selected to lead the long-awaited redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District, marking the beginning of negotiations for a project aimed at transforming the site while prioritizing affordable housing and community restoration.
"The Historic Gas Plant District has held the promise of progress for St. Petersburg for decades, and today we take an important step forward in turning potential into real, tangible progress," Welch said during a press conference.
Welch announced two selected partners: The Burg Bid for approximately 58 acres of the Historic Gas Plant District and the Pinellas County Housing Authority to develop affordable senior housing along Third Avenue.
"The senior housing will be on western Third Avenue with specific opportunity for Gas Plant residents to return home," Welch said.
Welch said he selected The Burg Bid because its lead developer, Thompson Whitney Blake, was born and raised in St. Petersburg and understands the significance of the land.
"He knows what this land means, and assembled a team prepared to honor the area with action," Welch said.
The mayor emphasized that the announcement does not finalize the redevelopment plans.
"Today is a selection, not the final agreement," Welch said. "We will now enter into negotiations, develop term sheets and ultimately bring agreements to City Council for approval."
He said commitments outlined in the proposals — including affordable housing, minority- and small-business participation, the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, workforce training and community accountability measures — must be incorporated into legally binding agreements before construction begins.
"The community has waited four decades for this," Welch said.
Neil Brickfield, executive director of the Pinellas County Housing Authority, thanked the mayor and city officials for selecting the agency to lead the affordable housing portion of the project.
"Today, we're talking about these 94 beautiful units, a preference for residents who were displaced from the Historic Gas Plant District," Brickfield said. "We're not building apartments. We're building 94 homes, and we're not doing it on an empty lot. We're doing it on neighborhood land. When these folks move in, we are restarting a neighborhood."
Brickfield said the project shifted from possibility to certainty after speaking with Welch 36 hours before the announcement.
"Mayor, we accept the challenges you laid before us and the responsibility you give us to deliver on this project and return residents to their land," Brickfield said. "Thank you for your trust in us."
Blake said his team has spent the past six months planning the redevelopment and is committed to the city's future.
"We are humbled. We're honored. Thank you," Blake said.
He said the project aims to bring jobs, parks, museums, cultural spaces and affordable housing to St. Petersburg.
"The city is ready for jobs, parks, new museums, new cultural anchors. The city deserves real affordable housing for sale and for rent," Blake said.
The announcement begins the negotiation process, with final development agreements expected to return to the St. Petersburg City Council for approval before construction can begin.