Florida Construction News staff writer

Hines and Tampa Bay Rays has been selected as the master developer of the Historic Gas Plant redevelopment project, St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth Welch announced at his 2023 State of the City address.

“I am naming the partner and a concept for a project that will last over a decade and will span multiple administrations,” Welch said. “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 development is being called “one of the most significant redevelopment projects in the country.”

On Jan. 4, the city held a community meeting with presentations from each of the developers.

“As we head into uncertain economic times, Hines has the unique ability to capitalize and execute this complicated project totalling more than seven million square feet and more than $4 billion in development costs,” said Michael Harrison, senior managing director at Hines.

Proposals were submitted by 50 Plus 1 Sports, Hines & Tampa Bay Rays, Restoration Associates, and Sugar Hill Community Partners. The winning Hines project team includes:

• Developers – Hines, Dantes Partners and Tampa Bay Rays
• Master plan architect: Gensler
• Stadium architect: Populous
• Local architect: Storyn Studio forArchitecture
• Landscape design: EDSA and Hood Design Studio
• Civil and transportation engineers: Kimley-Horn
• Environmental consultant: Tampa Bay Watch and Janicki Environmental

The Hines plan includes 5,700 residential units – 859 affordable units and 600 units of market rate senior housing, 700 hotel rooms, 1.4 million square feet of office space, 320,000 square feet of retail space, 50,000 square feet of entertainment space, 50,000 square feet of civic space, and 14,000 parking spaces.

The vision focuses on several zones of buildings surrounding a 950,000 square foot baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. The development is also anchored by a reimagined Booker Creek Greenway and 14-acres of community open space.

Negotiations will ow start on a  term sheet for the project and  guidelines for community benefits.

The proposal calls for infrastructure improvements to begin in 2024 followed by construction on the first of three phases of the development.

The chosen proposal includes $3.75 million for diverse hiring and supplier contracts for construction projects, and will also support internships and mentorship/ apprentice programs leading to job placement during the construction phase.

The stadium is expected to be completed in time for the Rays 2028 season.