New Tropicana Field, Gas Plant Development Proposals Sought: St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The city is now accepting proposals for the redevelopment of 86 acres at St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant site, according to a news release.

The new 33-page request for proposals for the area, which includes Tropicana Field and the stadium’s parking lots, was released Friday.

In early July, Mayor Ken Welch canceled the initial RFP bid process for the site, which was issued by former Mayor Rick Kriseman two years ago.

The new RFP calls for a focus on equitable redevelopment, 17.3 acres designated for a new baseball stadium, and specific requirements for affordable and workforce housing, among other details.

“Nearly 40 years ago, members of the Historic Gas Plant community were displaced by the ultimately successful pursuit of Major League Baseball and eventual construction of what is now Tropicana Field,” the city’s news release reads. “While the move brought our city the Tampa Bay Rays, then known as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, residents and businesses were forced to relocate with the promise of jobs, opportunity and equitable development which did not materialize.”

Through the new RFP, the city “has the opportunity to fulfill those unrealized promises,” the news release said.

Welch called the call for bids a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” that will allow the St. Petersburg “to utilize a generational redevelopment opportunity to ensure equitable opportunity for all residents, visitors, businesses and stakeholders.”

The mayor added, “With this new RFP we are calling for a significant emphasis on affordable and workforce housing; arts and culture; research, innovation and education; recreation; open space, healthy and sustainable development; and intentional equity.”

Though the RFP process launched by Kriseman in July 2020 was underway, because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the housing crisis, as well as the results of St. Petersburg’s Disparity Study and Structural Racism Study, Welch’s administration felt it needed another look.

All proposals must be submitted by Nov. 18.