{"id":142324,"date":"2026-02-03T19:55:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:55:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/142324\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T19:55:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T19:55:10","slug":"details-emerge-from-anticipated-trop-site-proposal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/142324\/","title":{"rendered":"Details emerge from anticipated Trop site proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new $8.1 billion proposal to transform the area around Tropicana Field includes a 13-acre central park, a \u201cMuseum Row,\u201d a community ownership platform and thousands of affordable and workforce housing units.<\/p>\n

The expansive development team, led by St. Petersburg-based Blake Investment Partners, also proposed a light rail hub and an outdoor water park. If selected, prominent local artists Chad Mize and Mark Aeling will helm a public arts center.<\/p>\n

Blake Investment Partners (BIP<\/a>), in a \u201cgroundbreaking approach to community accountability,\u201d has established The Historic Gas Plant Visionary Panel. \u201cWe are stewards first, investors second,\u201d said founder T.W. Blake in a prepared statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re weaving together housing, culture and commerce, with meaningful community accountability to create everlasting value for the city,\u201d Blake added. \u201cThe Historic Gas Plant District holds deep meaning, and our vision represents a long-term commitment to the people of St. Petersburg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A new Woodson African American Museum of Florida would feature prominently in the project.<\/p>\n

Blake announced his second bid<\/a> for the 86 acres surrounding the Trop in December. An open letter<\/a> to the community reminded readers that the area was once home to a vibrant African American community that was subsequently displaced in the name of economic revitalization.<\/p>\n

BIP believes it has the local and national expertise, prominent partnerships and institutional capital to oversee a \u201ctransformative development that honors the past, powers the present and solidifies\u201d the Historic Gas Plant District\u2019s future. The development team gave the site a $405 million valuation and wants to purchase 58 acres for $275 million.<\/p>\n

The proposal includes the \u201clargest delivery of affordable and workforce housing units in city history.\u201d BIP pledged to build over 3,600 homes, both on and off-site.<\/p>\n

A partnership with St. Petersburg-based Blue Sky Communities, one of Florida\u2019s most prolific affordable housing developers, will help BIP achieve that lofty goal. Principal Scott McDonald said the company has helped create over 3,000 units statewide since the early 1970s.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommitments to affordable housing don\u2019t mean anything unless you have a team in place to actually get it done,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cAt our core, we believe every person deserves a safe, affordable place to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Museum Row is a proposed cultural destination within a 13-acre central park. A long-awaited new Woodson African American Museum of Florida will serve as its \u201ccrown jewel,\u201d according to the announcement.<\/p>\n

St. Petersburg-based Wannemacher Jensen Architects would design the largest new city park in 119 years, according to the announcement. Aeling and Mize will serve as co-trustees of a proposed Museum of Public Art, which would feature a collection by Gillie & Marc, \u201cinternationally renowned public artists and animal conservationists.\u201d<\/p>\n

BIP plans to honor the site\u2019s history while incorporating urban planning characteristics that align with the city\u2019s downtown waterfront. \u201cThis is too big of a project for a \u2018check-the-box\u2019 process,\u201d said Jason Jensen, CEO of Wannemacher Jensen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are creating a perpetual and iterative conversation with interest holders in this city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A view of the proposed project looking east toward the downtown waterfront.<\/p>\n

Those stakeholders include community leaders representing over 20 organizations that will serve on a permanent advisory committee, the Historic Gas Plant Visionary Panel. Participants will provide ongoing project guidance, feedback and accountability.<\/p>\n

The proposal contemplates a multi-modal transportation hub designed to accommodate a light rail service to Tampa International Airport. A \u201cCollaboratorium\u201d would house a Small Business Success Center and offer workforce training.<\/p>\n

Additional amenities include a multi-purpose, indoor-outdoor event venue dubbed the Booker Creek Cultural Center. The site could also potentially boast an outdoor water park, St. Pete Surf Wave.<\/p>\n

The development team pledged to provide meaningful economic opportunities, including jobs and business ownership, to historically underserved communities. Studies on disparity and structural racism will inform those efforts.<\/p>\n

A Community Investment Fund, a \u201cwealth-generating special purpose vehicle,\u201d will allow residents to have a financial stake in the generational project. BIP will match funds raised through the platform.<\/p>\n

The firm will also prioritize reconnecting bifurcated South St. Pete neighborhoods through a multimodal transportation network, continuous workforce development with apprenticeship and placement programs, environmental sustainability and innovation through smart city technologies.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A proposed surf park\u2019s wave pool.<\/p>\n

BIP\u2019s proposal includes conference facilities, academic and research buildings, childcare space, cultural venues and \u201csignificant contiguous green space featuring Booker Creek and the Pinellas Trail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA project of this significance demands world-class execution,\u201d said Cole Sones, partner at BIP. \u201cThe investment in the Historic Gas Plant District will generate billions in economic impact, create thousands of jobs and foster long-term prosperity for the entire region.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Related Group, the nation\u2019s largest residential developer, and Skanska, the seventh largest general contractor worldwide, recently signed on to the project. The latter firm is known for building museums and parks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve assembled a team that combines national-scale expertise with deep local knowledge, with partners like Related, Skanska, Gilbane, Blue Sky Communities and Greystar, who share our commitment and have delivered landmark projects across the country,\u201d Sones said.<\/p>\n

Blake was the first to submit a redevelopment proposal, days after the Tampa Bay Rays walked away from a long-negotiated stadium deal in March 2025. The city launched a land disposition process after ARK Investment Management, Ellison Development and Horus Construction submitted an unsolicited bid in October<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Competing proposals were due at 10 a.m Tuesday. Another local group has submitted a unique plan<\/a> to serve as the project\u2019s master planner, construction manager and advisor.<\/p>\n

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A view of the project\u2019s northeast corner.<\/p>\n

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