News Summary
Four development teams have submitted proposals to create affordable housing on a city-owned site in West St. Petersburg. The city council aims to construct around 105 affordable townhomes along with an arts center. Facilitated by Habitat for Humanity’s partnership with Namaste Homes, the project will boost affordable homeownership in the area. A review of the proposals is set for next month, with hopes for timely occupancy and accessibility for low-income families.
St. Petersburg, FL – Four development teams have submitted proposals to create affordable homeownership opportunities on a 5.23-acre site owned by the city in West St. Petersburg. The site, located at 7045 Burlington Ave. N., was previously owned by St. Petersburg College and housed the Gibbs Wellness Center.
In November 2023, the city council unanimously approved the purchase of the site for $4.2 million, paving the way for new development aimed at increasing affordable housing options in the area. The recent proposal submissions came after the city restarted the proposal process on April 4, 2024, with a deadline for new applications set for May 5.
The development teams that submitted proposals by the deadline include HP Capital Group, Ramos Development, McDowell Housing Partners, and Namaste Homes. An earlier round of proposals was initiated in June 2024, with Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside also in contention for the project. Habitat has announced a partnership with Namaste Homes to develop 93 mixed-income units, where two-thirds of the homes will be priced below 120% of the area median income (AMI) and one-third below 80% AMI.
State law mandates that officials cannot publicly disclose the specifics of the proposals until 30 days after their review, keeping certain details under wraps for the time being. However, city officials expressed their goal of constructing approximately 105 affordable townhomes along with an arts center as part of the project.
City Council Chair Copley Gerdes emphasized the importance of incorporating a 15,000-square-foot arts center into the development, viewing it as crucial for nurturing local artists. He pointed out that previous proposals had constraints that limited unit numbers and were described as “a little non-traditional.” While the new request for proposals did not specify a targeted number of for-sale townhomes, city officials hope for around 100 units to be constructed.
Developers who are awarded the project must ensure that all homes are sold to households earning less than 120% of the AMI, approximately $125,000 for a family of four. Additionally, the request for proposals encourages applicants to allocate some or all units to households earning up to 80% of the AMI, which is around $83,450 for a family of four. The proposals must clearly demonstrate that the applicants have the necessary experience and capacity to progress with the project without delays.
City preferences also indicate a desire for a structured development schedule that would facilitate timely occupancy of the new homes. Habitat for Humanity noted that 31 of their proposed units would be available with a 0% interest mortgage for qualified buyers, showcasing their commitment to making affordable housing accessible.
Habitat for Humanity has a long-standing history of contributing to affordable housing in St. Petersburg, with recent projects including the Shell Dash Townhomes, which welcomed residents at the end of April 2024. The city administrator acknowledged Habitat’s significant contributions to local housing initiatives.
Namaste Homes also has recent developments, including plans for 28 mixed-income townhomes at 919 21st Ave. S., which received city council approval in August 2024. HP Capital is known for its luxury housing developments but has made strides to participate in affordable housing initiatives, while Ramos Development, a branch of Ramos Companies, focuses on enhancing the value of underutilized properties through collaboration. Finally, McDowell Housing Partners is a nationwide developer with experience in affordable housing tailored for seniors.
City officials are set to review the four submitted proposals in the coming month, with the ultimate selection requiring approval from the city council. The aim is to move forward with development that provides much-needed affordable housing solutions in St. Petersburg.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst: Four Developers Bid on SPC Affordable Housing Site
- Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
- St. Pete Rising: 60-Unit Bayou Court Opens
- Google Search: Affordable Housing St. Petersburg
- Fox 13 News: Large Crowd Calls for More Affordable Housing
- Google Scholar: Affordable Housing Initiatives
- ABC Action News: Local Group Pushes for Affordable Housing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Affordable Housing
- Florida Politics: St. Pete Lawmakers Pass Affordable Housing Provisions
- Google News: Affordable Housing in Florida
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
