Foundation Vision Partners proposal <\/a>focuses on infrastructure first development, phased parcel sales and continued city ownership of the land.<\/p>\nLowry explained at Tuesday\u2019s meeting that the first aspect of the initiative is akin to a \u201cresearch project.\u201d A group of local individuals will review previous studies conducted on the Gas Plant District area, and bring all of the information together to find \u201ccommon themes\u201d and determine if \u201cthere is anything missing.\u201d Additionally, stakeholder interviews will be conducted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She added that this part of the effort should be completed by the end of next month. After the information is collected and evaluated, the ULI team will prepare a one-page report.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The second phase will involve an Advisory Services panel, which will feature national real estate, planning and design experts. \u201cWhat we bring to the table is an unbiased look,\u201d Lowry said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This panel will spend multiple days in St. Petersburg and tour the Gas Plant District area. They will also conduct additional stakeholder interviews. The group will then discuss their findings and a report will be created. She estimates that Phase Two should be completed by the fall.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Urban Land Institute Tampa Bay executive director Lee Lowry speaking at the Tuesday St. Pete Downtown Partnership Developer\u2019s Update meeting. Photo by Michael Connor.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s people who have done major projects in other cities,\u201d Mathis explained. \u201cNo one in our community has done a project of this scale before.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The \u201cadvantage\u201d is that these individuals \u201cdon\u2019t have all the baggage that we carry around with us.\u201d They don\u2019t have \u201call of the emotion and connection that we might have,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Gas Plant District has a storied history. This has been key to Welch\u2019s desire to move forward on a redevelopment project. Before Tropicana Field was constructed, the predominantly African American neighborhood included a variety of Black-owned businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mathis said that the ULI Advisory Services panel will answer questions submitted by the Downtown Partnership and its partners.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Multiple organizations are involved in the effort including the St. Petersburg Area of Chamber of Commerce, the City of St. Petersburg, the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and the Pinellas County Urban League.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not going to weigh in on who should develop this land,\u201d he added. The panel will focus on the development agreement between the chosen developer and the City.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mathis said that questions are still being determined. One will be \u201chow can we future proof the development agreement so that it allows for flexibility for the developer over time but also guarantees the greatest public benefit?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Welch is scheduled to select a proposal next month. The Community Benefits Advisory Council will host two meetings in July to further discuss the mayor\u2019s decision. One meeting will feature public comment.<\/p>\n
Before a contract is awarded, the City Council will have to give approval. This will not happen until late 2026 or 2027. According to the City\u2019s website, final steps for the redevelopment selection process<\/a> have yet to be announced.\u00a0<\/p>\n\u201cI wish we had moved forward on this when Lee and I presented it last year,\u201d Mathis said. \u201cBut, we didn\u2019t and I still think that this process can help to inform the city and help us make choices in the long run. It\u2019s not ideal, but it\u2019s better than not doing anything at all and leaving it up to happenstance and hoping things turn out okay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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