Community Benefits Agreement Program

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Community-MINDED Economic Development

In 2021, City Council approved the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) program as a major step toward more equitable economic growth. It creates a process that takes into account the social and community impact of major development plans.

The program requires developers to provide community benefits for projects that receive public assistance greater than 20% of the overall construction cost for projects valued at more than $2 million, or $10 million in public assistance.

When a project exceeds these thresholds, it must provide benefits to the community that may include activities in the following areas:

  • affordable or workforce housing
  • environmental resiliency and sustainability
  • public infrastructure
  • equitable workforce development
  • neighborhood health and safety and
  • equitable economic opportunities

The required community benefits package that a developer must provide is determined through collaboration with the Community Benefits Advisory Council and community meetings with final approval of the Community Benefits Agreement by City Council.

Past CBA Projects

  • 800 1st Ave. S.  - 

    After a thorough vetting process by the Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC) as part of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) process, and negotiations with developers, Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has determined the TPA/Moffitt project does not provide sufficient affordable housing and is not selecting them for development of property located on the 800 block of 1st Ave. South.  

    Please read more about the decision here.

Community Benefits Advisory Council

The Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC) is a non-partisan board that advises the Mayor, City Council and the citizens of St. Pete. The council is made up of four standing members, who will consult on implementation of the City’s Community Benefit Agreement Program (CBA Program). Two of the standing members are appointed by the Mayor and two appointments are made by City Council. The standing members serve on the CBAC for no more than two, three-year terms.

For specific CBA projects, four ad-hoc members are selected and join standing members to comprise a full CBAC for a particular project. Ad-hoc members are chosen among residents within one mile of the project location or within the neighborhood where the project is located. The Mayor and City Council each appoint two ad hoc members. Additionally, one City Council member is selected by their peers as an ad hoc member of the CBAC for each project. Ad hoc members serve until the project is approved by City Council or withdrawn.

Visit the CBAC webpage for more information about the council, member duties and online application.