St. Pete Standard

St. Petersburg, FL – City of St. Petersburg residents are encouraged to save the dates for several opportunities to provide public input on community benefits for the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment project, including a $50 million commitment to intentional equity. The public is invited to attend an upcoming Community Benefits Information Session for the community benefits associated with the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N.

A formal public notice and meeting details will follow. On Dec. 13, the public will have the opportunity to learn specifically about the proposed community benefits directly from the Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership. Details on how the public will be able to provide their input on this portion of the project are forthcoming.

In January 2024, the Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC) begins their process to advise Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City Council, and the citizens of St. Pete on the community benefits associated with the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment. A series of CBAC meetings held on Tuesdays in January will allow for public comment: January 9, 16, 23 and 30.

More information about the CBAC can be found at stpete.org/cbac. 

WHAT ARE COMMUNITY BENEFITS?

Community benefits are programs or activities that provide treatment and/or promote health and healing as a response to community needs.

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:

1. Housing: $15 million is dedicated to existing City of St. Petersburg programs that support housing opportunities at a wide range of affordability levels.

2. Small Business: $13 million is 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.

3. Employment: $3.75 million is 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.

4. Education: $17.5 million is 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.

5. 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. A welcome center will also be erected on the site to serve as a resource for local residents and businesses to connect to opportunities.

The Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership will also honor the legacy of the Historic Gas Plant Site by working with the community to name components of the project to incorporate historic mementos, 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.

Original source can be found here.