St. Pete Standard

City of St. Petersburg to Host Community Benefits Information Session on Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment Project on December 13

Public will have the opportunity to provide input on the Community Benefits portion of project

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

During this Information Session, residents will have the opportunity to learn specifically about the proposed community benefits directly from the Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership.

Here's what to expect:

• Doors open at 5 p.m.

• Hines-Rays presentation starts at 5:30 p.m.

• The public comment period begins at 6:10 p.m. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes.

• Speakers will be selected by a random number generator to ensure an equitable opportunity for residents opting to speak.

• Event will end at 8:30 p.m.

There will be multiple opportunities for the public to weigh in over the next several weeks and communicate with the Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC):

1) Community Benefits Information Session:

Residents have the option to speak publicly during the comment period or complete the online or printed form at the event that will be shared with the CBAC.

2) Online Submissions:

Residents can submit feedback to the CBAC through an online form from Dec. 14 - Dec. 31. Form can be found at www.stpete.org/gasplant 

3) CBAC Meetings Scheduled in 2024:

In January, additional CBAC meetings will be held on Tuesdays to allow for additional public comment. Meeting dates are scheduled for January 9, 16, 23 and 30.

About the Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC)

The CBAC is a non-partisan board that will advise Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City Council, and the citizens of St. Petersburg on the community benefits associated with the Historic Gas Plant Redevelopment.

Four ad hoc members have recently been added to the CBAC and will join the four standing members. Two members were appointed by Mayor Welch and two were approved by St. Petersburg City Council at the Council meeting on Dec. 7.

Current CBAC Members:

• Ruth Whitney, Standing Member

• Jason Mathis, Standing Member

• Bruce Nissen, Standing Member

• Esther Matthews, Standing Member

• Brooks Wallington, Ad Hoc Member for Historic Gas Plant District Project

• Gloria Campbell, Ad Hoc Member for Historic Gas Plant District Project

• Debbie Reeser, Ad Hoc Member for Historic Gas Plant District Project

• Karyn Mueller, Ad Hoc Member for Historic Gas Plant District Project

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:

• 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. 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 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. For additional details about the CBAC, visit stpete.org/cbac. 

Original source can be found here.