PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The City of St. Petersburg is taking proposals to redevelop a section of the Historic Gas Plant District. 

The city has already received an unsolicited proposal from the Pinellas County Housing Authority to build affordable housing for seniors. 

What You Need To Know

The Pinellas County Housing Authority sent an unsolicted proposal to the city to build affordable senior housing

PCHA said the need for senior housing has significantly grown

The city will take alternative proposals for the Historic Gas Plant District site 

Mayor Welch said he will ensure that any redevelopment reflects the values of the entire community

PCHA has been working with seniors to get them affordable housing.

Yvette Feazell moved into her new home at Heritage Oaks several weeks ago.

“I was living with my daughter and, my son in law and their four grandchildren and I love them, but, I think it was just a little more crowded,” Feazell, said.

But finding an affordable housing option for herself was difficult.

The 64-year-old said she spent nine months tracking down a place she could rent on a fixed income. 

“I was very eager and determined and diligent and trying to find an affordable place.”

She heard about the Pinellas County Housing Authority’s new facility in Largo and checked the website every day to get on their waiting list because the housing authority is seeing a significant increase in demand.

“It is extensive as extensive can be, we have people coming into our lobby every single day asking us if we have any availability, and we try to help them as quickly as we can,” said Mackenzie Dufresne, Communications and outreach manager, PCHA.

Dufresne said the housing authority is focusing on senior housing. To help with the demand, the PCHA sent an unsolicited proposal to the city of St. Petersburg build new apartments in the Historic Gas Plant District. 

“Seniors are one of the most vulnerable populations right now here in Florida just because they’re getting priced out of their homes left and right. So, we really want to give them the opportunity to have a safe, affordable place to live,” Dufresne said.

The proposal would turn one of the parking lots across from Tropicana Field into a seven story 80-unit apartment building. Low-income seniors with ties to the Historic Gas Plant District are the primary targets.

“We would actually have preference for individuals that used to live in the gas plant district, to have an ability to live in this, and we would do that by partnering with St. Pete, figure out who actually did live here, if they did want to apply.”

She said if the proposal were to get the stamp of approval, then more seniors like Feazell could potentially get a new apartment at a rate they can afford. 

“I don’t feel like I’m being a burden on my family now. Heritage Oaks, because it’s income based, allows me to have that opportunity,” Feazell said.

With her newfound independence Feazell is grateful for her new home and hopeful others will get a similar opportunity.

The city is now accepting alternative proposals for the Historic Gas Plant District site. 

St. Peterburg will publish the notice for alternate proposals on Jan. 4, 2026.

Those responses will then be due Feb. 3, 2026.

Mayor Ken Welch said in a press release that he’ll ensure any redevelopment reflects the values of the entire community.