Florida Construction News staff writer
The City of St. Petersburg hosted an information session for the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment on Dec. 13 with a presentation from Hines-Rays.
Following the meeting, an online form is available from until Dec. 31 at www.stpete.org/gasplant for comments. Also, additional community benefits advisory council meetings will be held on Tuesdays in January to allow for public comment. Meeting dates are scheduled for January 9, 16, 23 and 30.
The proposed community benefits associated with the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment include affordable and workforce housing, public open space, sustainability efforts, public parking, transportation improvements, small business, minority-owned business, and women-owned business participation, and a $50 million intentional equity commitment.
Included in the $50 million intentional equity commitment:
- Housing: $15 million dedicated to existing City of St. Petersburg programs that support housing opportunities at a wide range of affordability levels.
- Small Business: $13 million dedicated to support business incubation, ownership, and placement opportunities on the site, with a focus on minority/women-owned businesses and current South St. Petersburg residents and businesses.
- Employment: $3.75 million committed to internships and mentorship/apprentice programs leading to job placement during the construction phase, and small business ownership and employment opportunities during the ongoing operation of the site.
- Education: $17.5 million dedicated to financial investments in support of currently operating educational programs in South St. Petersburg, from daycare and early learning through postsecondary, vocational, technical and STEM programs. As part of the project’s commitment to education, youth development and the arts, the proposed Booker Music Hall venue will be realized. The investment also integrates community, cultural and civic uses including the construction of the new Woodson African American Museum.
- Outreach: $750,000 will fund outreach that brings the community together through a thoughtful, inclusive process including online tools, public town halls, community and youth steering committees.
The Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership will honor the legacy of the historic Gas Plant neighborhood by working with community members to help identify and incorporate historic mementos, along with art and design features, including new connections and enhancements to the African American Heritage Trail.
More information about the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment can be found at stpete.org/GasPlant.
The proposed community benefits associated with the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment include affordable and workforce housing, public open space, sustainability efforts, public parking, transportation improvements, small business, minority-owned business, and women-owned business participation, and a $50 million intentional equity commitment.
Included in the $50 million intentional equity commitment are:
- Housing: $15 million dedicated to existing City of St. Petersburg programs that support housing opportunities at a wide range of affordability levels.
- Small Business: $13 million dedicated to support business incubation, ownership, and placement opportunities on the site, with a focus on minority/women-owned businesses and current South St. Petersburg residents and businesses.
- Employment: $3.75 million committed to internships and mentorship/apprentice programs leading to job placement during the construction phase, and small business ownership and employment opportunities during the ongoing operation of the site.
- Education: $17.5 million dedicated to financial investments in support of currently operating educational programs in South St. Petersburg, from daycare and early learning through postsecondary, vocational, technical and STEM programs. As part of the project’s commitment to education, youth development and the arts, the proposed Booker Music Hall venue will be realized. The investment also integrates community, cultural and civic uses including the construction of the new Woodson African American Museum.
- Outreach: $750,000 will fund outreach that brings the community together through a thoughtful, inclusive process including online tools, public town halls, community and youth steering committees.
The Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership will honor the legacy of the historic Gas Plant neighborhood by working with community members to help identify and incorporate historic mementos, along with art and design features, including new connections and enhancements to the African American Heritage Trail.
