City of St. Petersburg Receives Four Proposals in Response to Historic Gas Plant District RFP

Proposals Received from 50 Plus 1 Sports, Hines & Tampa Bay Rays, Restoration Associates, and Sugar Hill Community Partners

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (December 2, 2022) - The City of St. Petersburg has received four proposals in response to the Historic Gas Plant District Request for Proposals (RFP). 50 Plus 1 Sports, Hines & Tampa Bay Rays, Restoration Associates, and Sugar Hill Community Partners submitted proposals for the development of the portion of the Historic Gas Plant District currently home to Tropicana Field, and affiliated parking totaling approximately 86 acres. All proposers met the 10:00 a.m. deadline of Friday, December 2.

"We commend 50 Plus 1 Sports, Hines & Tampa Bay Rays, Restoration Associates, and Sugar Hill Community Partners for their diligent efforts to submit proposals that will fuel inclusive progress and equitable development for future generations who will live, visit and do business in our city," said St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. "We will review the proposers' plans with a keen eye on their interpretation of affordable and workforce housing; office and meeting space; arts and culture; research, innovation, and education; recreation; open space, healthy and sustainable development; and intentional equity. We look forward to engaging the community as we determine the future of this historically and economically vital part of St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Bay Region."

The RFP, which was issued on August 26, called for additional emphasis on equitable redevelopment, a 17.3-acre carve out for a baseball stadium, specific requirements for affordable and workforce housing and new details that respond to current economic and societal conditions and community sentiment. All proposals will be posted on the City's website after an expeditious review by City staff to ensure that each proposal is ADA compliant.

The selection process will also include a Community Presentation on January 4, 2023, at the Coliseum. There, the public will be invited to hear each proposer provide an overview of their respective plans. A final decision will be announced by Mayor Welch at his first State of the City address slated for the end of January 2023.

About the Historic Gas Plant District
Nearly forty years ago, members of the Historic Gas Plant community were displaced by the ultimately successful pursuit of Major League Baseball and eventual construction of what is now Tropicana Field. While the move brought our city the Tampa Bay Rays, then known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, residents and businesses were forced to relocate with the promise of jobs, opportunity and equitable development which did not materialize. Through this current RFP process, the City has the opportunity to fulfill those unrealized promises and bring to St. Petersburg new attainable housing, equitable business opportunities, office space, meeting space, open space and overall equitable and impactful economic development that benefits all.