“The Burg Bid” Team Chosen to Redevelop 86-Acre Downtown Site
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 02, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The City of St. Petersburg has selected Blake Investment Partners, Related Group and their world-class team of local and national partners to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District, beginning the largest and one of the most consequential development opportunities in the city’s history.
“We are grateful to Mayor Welch for his confidence in our team. The Historic Gas Plant District carries real history, and we recognize the weight of what’s being entrusted to us,” said T.W. Blake, Founder, Blake Investment Partners. “We’re connecting housing, culture, and commerce with meaningful community partnership to create lasting value for this city and its residents. St. Pete is not a market we entered for this project, it is home. We’re ready to get to work and turn this vision into a reality.”
The Burg Bid proposal includes the largest delivery of affordable and workforce housing in city history, with more than 3,600 projected units to be delivered on and off-site. Accomplished local architects and designers will work alongside the nation’s leading contractors and developers — including Related, Skanska, Greystar, Gilbane, Blue Sky Communities, Open Realty, and Stadler Development — to bring the vision to life.
The Historic Gas Plant site was once the heart of a thriving African American community, and Blake Investment Partners is committed to honoring that legacy throughout the development process. Key proposed public improvements include a 15-acre central park anchored by Museum Row as a cultural destination. The Woodson African American Museum will be our centerpiece. The concept respects the site’s history and incorporates urban planning characteristics consistent with the city’s waterfront district.
The team has established The Historic Gas Plant Visionary Panel, a permanent volunteer advisory committee composed of leaders from more than 20 organizations representing the heart of St. Petersburg. These leaders will provide ongoing guidance, feedback, and accountability throughout every phase of the development.
“Our team looks forward to continuing to engage with the community and with all stakeholders — including the other firms that submitted proposals — as it moves into the next phase of planning and partnership with the City,” added Blake.
Blake Investment Partners has assembled world-class national and local experts to support this project, including:
Related Group – One of the largest developers in the USA and Master development partner
Blue Sky Communities – St. Pete’s prolific affordable housing developer
Skanska – 7th largest general contractor in the World, known for its park and museum construction
Wannemacher Jensen Architects – Architectural design
Zyscovich (now Stratus) – Land planning and Architectural design
KAST Construction – Most active general contractor in St. Pete known for its residential construction
Gilbane – 7th largest general contractor in USA – Horizontal Construction / Land Development
Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC – #1 developer and manager of apartments in the USA
Stadler Development – Class-A office construction expert and development partner
Driftwood Hospitality – Hotel & hospitality development partner
Open Realty – Retail advisory
Wade Trim, Inc. – Municipal infrastructure engineers
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. – Civil engineering
Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. – Environmental and Geotechnical engineering
Aligned Engineering – Engineering coordination and oversight
St Petersburg Housing Authority
MODO – Construction project management
McCants Architecture – Local design firm
Young DB Group – Community outreach
CAN Consulting – Public relations
Johnson Pope – Real estate law
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay
St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
Career Source Tampa Bay
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
Arts Conservatory for Teens
Onyx Enterprise, INC – Engineering
Spatial HQ – Project Management
Link to Burg Bid’s Historic Gas Plant site
Link to renderings courtesy Zyscovich and Wannemacher Jensen Architects.
Link to video about the Blake Investment Partners proposal.
About Blake Investment Partners
Blake Investment Partners is an institutional investment firm focused on transformative real estate development and community-centered redevelopment initiatives. The firm has been a steadfast partner in St. Petersburg’s growth for 23 years. With more than 200 completed projects across the Southeast and a portfolio that demonstrates both scale and sophistication, Blake brings expertise in mixed-use development, community planning, and long-term value creation. The firm’s patient approach to investment and commitment to stewardship distinguishes it as a developer that prioritizes lasting community benefit over short-term gains.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260702654963/en/
Contacts
Media Contacts:
Mittie Rooney, mrooney@rubenstein.com, 301-602-8709
Stefan Prelog, sprelog@rubenstein.com, 917-804-7003