St. Pete Standard

St. Petersburg residents are encouraged to attend a Community Benefits Information Session to learn about and provide input on the community benefits associated with the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment. The session will take place on Wednesday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m. at the Coliseum, located at 535 4th Ave. N.

During the Information Session, residents will have the opportunity to hear directly from the Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership about the proposed community benefits. The event will begin with doors opening at 5 p.m., followed by a presentation from Hines-Rays at 5:30 p.m. The public comment period will start at 6:10 p.m., with each speaker limited to 3 minutes. The session will conclude at 8:30 p.m.

In addition to the Information Session, there will be other opportunities for the public to provide input and communicate with the Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC). Residents can speak publicly during the comment period at the session or complete an online or printed form that will be shared with the CBAC. Feedback can also be submitted through an online form from December 14 to December 31 at www.stpete.org/gasplant. Furthermore, additional CBAC meetings will be held in January 2024 to allow for additional public comment.

The CBAC is a non-partisan board that advises Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City Council, and the citizens of St. Petersburg on the community benefits associated with the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment. The current CBAC members include Ruth Whitney, Jason Mathis, Bruce Nissen, Esther Matthews, and four ad hoc members: Brooks Wallington, Gloria Campbell, Debbie Reeser, and Karyn Mueller.

The proposed community benefits for the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment encompass a variety of areas. These include affordable and workforce housing, public open space, sustainability efforts, public parking, transportation improvements, small business, minority-owned business, and women-owned business participation. Additionally, there is a $50 million intentional equity commitment, which includes investments in housing, small business support, employment programs, education, outreach, and the construction of the Booker Music Hall venue and Woodson African American Museum.

The Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership aims to honor the legacy of the historic Gas Plant neighborhood by incorporating historic mementos, art and design features, and enhancements to the African American Heritage Trail. The partnership also plans to establish a welcome center on the site to serve as a resource for local residents and businesses.

Residents are encouraged to visit stpete.org/GasPlant for more information about the Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment and stpete.org/cbac for additional details about the CBAC.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R840.php