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New York-based Red Apple Group, the development firm behind 400 Central, has also expressed interest in the massive project. Welch said Dec. 30<\/a> that he is \u201cexcited to see what we get there in addition to what I think is a strong proposal<\/a> from ARK Ellison Horus.\u201d<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n \u201cThe one proposal that we have so far actually increases the amount of affordable housing, increases the minority participation,\u201d Welch told the Catalyst. \u201cSo, it\u2019s actually stronger than what we had with Hines and the Rays.\u201d<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n The Central<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Tampa-based Ellison Development is building The Central about a half-mile away from the Trop, in St. Petersburg\u2019s rapidly evolving EDGE District. The under-construction mixed-use development made headlines multiple times in 2025.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Geoffrey Zakarian, star of Iron Chef America, Chopped and The Kitchen on the Food Network, will helm The Central\u2019s flagship restaurant<\/a>. The development will also feature a 168-key Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel and a seven-story residential building with 42 workforce housing units.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n An 11-story office building, Halcyon, has ARK Invest as an anchor tenant<\/a>. Stakeholders celebrated The Central\u2019s 540-space public parking garage opening at 1301 Central Avenue in June.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Ellison announced in September that the structure\u2019s rooftop garden would display a 76-million-year-old Gorgosaurus skeleton<\/a>. However, vertical construction at The Central has seemingly stalled since the garage opened.<\/p>\n A rendering of the rooftop \u201cdino-garden\u201d at The Central in St. Petersburg\u2019s EDGE District. Image: Ellison Development.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Derby Lane<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Sagi Genger, CEO of Rally Development, wants to transform the 131.5-acre Derby Lane site into an entertainment destination<\/a>. The property at 10490 Gandy Blvd. was formerly home to a greyhound racing<\/a> track and continues to host a poker room, markets and festivals.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Genger and his team are now marketing the property and \u201ctrying to figure out what makes the most sense \u2013 both for the community and for us.\u201d He called it the \u201cmost important site for development in the area\u201d in late November.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a multi-100-million-dollar, if not a multi-billion-dollar, development project,\u201d Genger said. \u201cTo have so many acres available in the middle of a metropolitan area is very, very unusual.\u201d<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n He expects to \u201creach conclusions\u201d on the property\u2019s future in February or early March, after reviewing proposals. He said the possibilities are \u201calmost endless\u201d for a site that has long been considered a potential home for a new Rays stadium.<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n Sky Town<\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Ellison-The-Central-Rooftop-Garage-Rendering-1024x717.jpg\")
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