Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment
Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment
Project Overview
Nearly 40 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.
A Message from Mayor Welch
January 30th Partner in Progress Selection
At the 2023 State of the City, Mayor Kenneth T. Welch announced Hines & Tampa Bay Rays as his selection for the master developer of the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment Project.
Said Mayor Welch, “I saw a need to build a better path forward by prioritizing the community’s need for affordable and workforce housing – both onsite and offsite. And as a child who visited many a restaurant, corner store and worked at my Grandfather’s woodyard, the opportunity for restorative economic opportunities needed to be a clearly stated priority.”
On his choice, “I am naming the partner and a concept for a project that will last over a decade and will span multiple administrations. As the plan moves forward under my administration, we will adhere to our model of inclusive governance—asking for input from all stakeholders, including the community, to ensure that we are meeting the goals of this development. I know our St. Pete community will stay engaged and informed as this project takes shape.”
The project timeline has been updated below.
About the 2022 Request For Proposals Process
After careful consideration, we determined the RFP resulting in a developer recommendation in late 2021 was outdated and did not adequately reflect current economic conditions, new workforce trends or comprehensive city needs.
A new RFP was issued to ensure proposals reflect current needs regarding affordable housing, recreation, hotel and convention space, jobs, community impact and placemaking, among other considerations.
2022 RFP PROPOSAL Submissions
50 Plus 1 Sports
Hines & Tampa Bay Rays
Restoration Associates
Sugar Hill Community Partners
Historic Gas Plant District RFP Documentation
Community Engagement OPPORTUNITIES and recap
Thank you for your interest in the future of the Historic Gas Plant District (HGPD). As one of the most significant redevelopment projects in the country, its impact will be felt for generations to come. We welcome the community’s participation and want to ensure that all voices are heard throughout the selection process.
On January 4, we held a Community Presentation where the community was able to hear from each developer and share their feedback. The full video of that meeting can be found here. Feedback from the meeting and an online form, which was open from Dec. 19, 2022 - Jan. 23, 2023, has been shared with Mayor Welch to inform his decision. An important announcement will be shared at the 2023 State of the City on Jan. 30, 2023.
- The City hosted a series of community outreach events to solicit public input on development priorities and concerns.
- 700+ people gathered in person and online for an opportunity to hear presentations from all four developers. They were able to ask questions and provide their input.
- Full video of the meeting here
Project Timeline
An aggressive timeline has been established to ensure the process continues expediently.
The timeline anticipates:
- August 2022: RFP is released
- Mid-September 2022: Pre-proposal development meeting with prospective developers
- November 2022: Community outreach and internal review
- Dec 2022: Strengths and weaknesses presented to Mayor Welch
- Jan 2023: Mayor Welch selects recommended developer
- Summer 2023: Use Agreement Term Sheet for Hines & Tampa Bay Rays
- September/October 2023: Development agreement presented to City Council for approval.
- End of 2023: Use Agreement executed and Term Sheet for Development complete
- Summer 2024: Development Agreement executed
Frequently Asked Questions
- Stadium model: We are soliciting proposals containing a new baseball stadium, in lieu of including proposals that contemplate a site without one. We believe this model will provide certainty as it relates to the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Affordable Housing: As our population has increased, and with a new housing demand that is rapidly increasing property values and rents in our city, affordable housing must be a key component of any new development at the Historic Gas Plant District site.
- Gas Plant Promise: The site also must effectively recognize, honor, and support the community displaced due to construction of the original stadium, in an impactful and sustainable manner.
- Support Community Pillars for Progress: Further, the site should consider equitable access to all residents, visitors and stakeholders while continuing to pursue equitable opportunities for education, youth opportunities, economic activity and recreation. We are also mindful of any city subsidy and will consider that in all proposals.
Previous RFP History
Tropicana Field Conceptual Master Plan
The City of St. Petersburg and HKS Architects developed two conceptual master plans for the redevelopment of the 86-acre Tropicana Field Site, one including a baseball stadium and one without, referred to as Scenario One and Scenario Two. The importance of this site to the future of St. Pete can't be over-emphasized. It is a once-in-a-generation chance to create new opportunities for growth, economic development, and an enhanced community!
- Tropicana Plan Scenario 1 (with stadium): Conceptual Master Plan - Scenario 1
- Tropicana Plan Scenario 2 (without stadium): Conceptual Master Plan - Scenario 2
Development Partner Selection
Midtown Development best represented the criteria contained within the RFP, which represented years of community feedback, ideas, and input. The firm has a proven track record of executing large, mixed-use developments and will have an opportunity to showcase their vision for the site in the months ahead.
- Full Proposal
- Executive Summary
- Project Renderings
- Video
- Midtown Development Team Matrix
- 21 Guiding Principles
- Relevant Plans & Studies
- Questions for Tropicana Field RFP Finalists
- Sugar Hill Response
- Midtown Response
To see the full list of responses submitted prior to shortlisting, visit the City's Real Estate webpage. Guidance for Tropicana Field Site Redevelopment Concepts: view the Roadmap.
Proposal Review Documents
The Staff Review documents represent the strengths and weaknesses of key City staff members across numerous departments and areas of expertise. Note that these strengths and weaknesses were based on the team’s original written proposals. The Project Comparison provides a direct comparison between Midtown Development and Sugar Hill Community Partners for specific, measurable areas of importance. This document was completed by City staff at the request of the Mayor. The Response Summary documents provide an overview of commitments made by the development team, based on their original written proposals, subsequent community meetings, and conversations with administration.
- Midtown Staff Review
- Sugar Hill Staff Review
- Midtown and Sugar Hill Project Comparison
- Midtown Response Summary
- Sugar Hill Response Summary
- HR&A Proposal Evaluation
Community Engagement
The City of St. Petersburg, community organization partners, and potential development partners have remained committed to engaging the community from the early days of redevelopment discussions.
While not exhaustive, key community engagement events are summarized below.
Key City of St. Petersburg-Led Engagement
Date | Meeting | Approximate Attendance |
July 2016 | Public Meeting #1 on Scenario 1 of the Tropicana Field Redevelopment Plan at the Coliseum | 300 |
July 2016 | Public Meeting #2 on Scenario 1 of the Tropicana Field Redevelopment Plan at Campbell Park Rec Center | 170 |
July 2016 | 5 targeted Stakeholder Meetings on Scenario 1 of the Tropicana Field Redevelopment Plan | 68 |
August 2018 | Public Meeting on Scenario 2 of the Tropicana Field Redevelopment Plan at USFSP | 300 |
August 2018 | 5 targeted Stakeholder Meetings on Scenario 2 of the Tropicana Field Redevelopment Plan | 36 |
September 2020 | Tropicana Field RFP Pre-Proposal Meeting #1 | 90 |
September 2020 | Tropicana Field RFP Pre-Proposal Meeting #2 | 70 |
April 2021 | Trop Shortlisted Community Meeting #1, Virtual | 300 |
April 2021 | Trop Shortlisted Community Meeting #2, Coliseum | 200 |
April 2021 | Trop Shortlisted Community Meeting #3, Coliseum | 180 |
April - July 2021 | Community Center Showrooms + Comment Boxes for (all applicants, then for the two finalists) Proposal Teams:
|
TBD |
April - July 2021 | Community Center Proposal Viewing and Comment Boxes for (all applicants, then for the two finalists) Proposal Teams:
|
TBD |
Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Program: Voices Heard Voices Matter Engagement
Date | Meeting | Approximate Attendance |
May 2021 | Virtual Conversation w/ Two Finalist Firms | TBD |
May 2021 | Enoch Davis Center Open House w/ Two Finalist Firms | TBD |
May 2021 | Enoch Davis Center Open House w/ Two Finalist Firms | TBD |
May 2021 | Enoch Davis Center Open House w/ Two Finalist Firms | TBD |
May 2021 | VHVM Community Support Video | TBD |
Other Organization-Led Engagement
Date | Meeting | Approximate Attendance |
April 2021 | NAACP Town Hall | 50 |
June 2021 | World Café Conversation | 25 |
January 2020 | Holocaust Museum hosts Community Presentation to include Trop Site History & Launch of Where Have All the Mangoes Gone w/local Author and Speakers | TBD |
April - Present (ongoing) | Proposal Finalists Midtown Development Creekside & Sugar Hill Community Partners participated in at various engagement sessions with many civic and community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, multiple neighborhood associations, multiple faith based organizations, as well as information booths at many local events like Saturday Shoppes, Collard Green Festival and more. The finalists also each produced videos made available on the city website. | - |
Public Input Opportunities
Public Comment
Watch a recording of a public meeting. While the live Q&A dates have passed, residents can still submit their feedback in the comment form below.
- Recording of Meeting #1: Mon., April 5
- Recording of Meeting #2: Wed., April 7
- Recording of Meeting #3: Thurs., April 8
Request a Speaker
Organizations, associations, and groups can submit a request for a member of the City's Economic Development team to present during a meeting using this online form.