St. Pete Beach on verge of new era of economic development in tourist and commercial districts | Beaches
ST. PETE BEACH — A new era of economic growth could be sparked in St. Pete Beach, with several entrepreneurs proposing a variety of commercial, hotel and resort restoration projects during the next few years.
The lifting of a 6-year-old moratorium on new building projects, accomplished with the upgrade of the city’s sanitary sewer system, proved to be a catalyst sparking developer’s interest in building and upgrading hotels, as well as retail centers.
During an Aug. 24 work session, Community Development Director Wesley Wright told commissioners staff is sharing prospective projects that may come into fruition.
“Some projects may become reality and some not,” he said. The information compiled by staff “are not applications, they are simply discussions we have had with various developers. No applications have been submitted; they may or may never ever happen.”
City Manager Alex Rey asked commissioners to not comment on the projects since they are only in the idea stage and formal plans have not been submitted to the city.
In a project envisioned as an important anchor to the east end of the city’s downtown tourist district, the developer of Corey Landing plans to build a 243-residential and mixed-use project, with a 4,750 square foot restaurant and 3,000 square feet of retail.
Wright told commissioners Corey Landing, located in the Town Center District, would be developed as a mixed-use concept to anchor the Intracoastal side of St. Pete Beach’s historic downtown. The 4.67-acre parcel is largely vacant, with the developer under contract. The project moved forward with a community meeting, the first step of the redevelopment process, in June. Construction could begin as early as June 2022, he said.
In a project envisioned as an important anchor to the east end of the city’s downtown tourist district, the developer of Corey Landing plans to build a 243-residential and mixed-use project, with a 4,750 square foot restaurant and 3,000 square feet of retail.
Wright told commissioners Corey Landing, located in the Town Center District, would be developed as a mixed-use concept to anchor the Intracoastal side of St. Pete Beach’s historic downtown. The 4.67-acre parcel is largely vacant, with the developer under contract. The project moved forward with a community meeting, the first step of the redevelopment process, in June. Construction could begin as early as June 2022, he said.
In another redevelopment project across the street from the Duke Energy facility, the Plaza Beach Hotel, 4506 Gulf Blvd., is situated at the northern end of the city’s Boutique Hotel and Condominium District. Wright said the city has been involved in discussions of the .954-acre buildable site that would allow for a redevelopment of the hotel to add an additional 27 temporary lodging units, while contributing to the aesthetic character and pedestrian-friendly business frontages that the city has sought in its redevelopment projects. The project would be comparable to the Miramar Hotel and result in a 50-room resort, Wright noted.
In an expansion project envisioned by the city’s largest employer, TradeWinds Island Grand Resorts, at 5500 Gulf Blvd. in the Large Resort District, the resort has a conceptual plan for the redevelopment of the campus, including the newly acquired Alden Suites, which includes a 1,700-foot beach walk, Wright told commissioners.
“The approximately 3.5-acre addition to a formidable 18.1-acre campus may allow for future redevelopment to a resort containing 1,600 or more temporary lodging units, and more than 140,000 square feet of shopping, dining and amenity space,” he said. The current resort contains 756 lodging units and employs 1,100 individuals. Staff anticipates a master plan for the resort in fall 2021.
In an expansion project envisioned by the city’s largest employer, TradeWinds Island Grand Resorts, at 5500 Gulf Blvd. in the Large Resort District, the resort has a conceptual plan for the redevelopment of the campus, including the newly acquired Alden Suites, which includes a 1,700-foot beach walk, Wright told commissioners.
“The approximately 3.5-acre addition to a formidable 18.1-acre campus may allow for future redevelopment to a resort containing 1,600 or more temporary lodging units, and more than 140,000 square feet of shopping, dining and amenity space,” he said. The current resort contains 756 lodging units and employs 1,100 individuals. Staff anticipates a master plan for the resort in fall 2021.
Owners of another one of St. Pete Beach’s major tourist attractions, the Don CeSar Resort, the city’s first and only hotel on the National Register of Historic Places, have been in discussion with city staff to develop a 2-story, 10,000-square-foot conference center, over underground parking, in an adjacent parcel at 3400 Gulf Blvd. north of the resort.
Owners of another one of St. Pete Beach’s major tourist attractions, the Don CeSar Resort, the city’s first and only hotel on the National Register of Historic Places, have been in discussion with city staff to develop a 2-story, 10,000-square-foot conference center, over underground parking, in an adjacent parcel at 3400 Gulf Blvd. north of the resort.
At the northern end of the city, a concept has been presented for redevelopment of property at 9555 Gulf Blvd., which includes Sea Hags Waterfront Bar and Grill. Wright said an envisioned resort condominium project would be eligible for about 65 temporary lodging units and 21,000 square feet in amenity space.
In addition, staff is working with the property owner who proposes to also build a dry storage boat facility east of Sea Hags, incorporating the restaurant into the development.
At the northern end of the city, a concept has been presented for redevelopment of property at 9555 Gulf Blvd., which includes Sea Hags Waterfront Bar and Grill. Wright said an envisioned resort condominium project would be eligible for about 65 temporary lodging units and 21,000 square feet in amenity space.
In addition, staff is working with the property owner who proposes to also build a dry storage boat facility east of Sea Hags, incorporating the restaurant into the development.
Meanwhile, the former Winn-Dixie site, on a 2-acre parcel at 7625 Blind Pass Road, located on the northern perimeter of the downtown core, has been proposed for redevelopment into a self-storage facility with mixed-use commercial space and other downtown amenities.
Wright told commissioners this district is not zoned for self-storage, so staff is working with the developer on other opportunities. He added staff has been in contact with potential developers to assess the viability of the concept, which would need to include the design, public amenities, and intensity of development the city requires in its downtown.
Meanwhile, the former Winn-Dixie site, on a 2-acre parcel at 7625 Blind Pass Road, located on the northern perimeter of the downtown core, has been proposed for redevelopment into a self-storage facility with mixed-use commercial space and other downtown amenities.
Wright told commissioners this district is not zoned for self-storage, so staff is working with the developer on other opportunities. He added staff has been in contact with potential developers to assess the viability of the concept, which would need to include the design, public amenities, and intensity of development the city requires in its downtown.
In the middle of the city the owner of the recently renovated The Saint Hotel, at 7201 Sunset Way, is proposing a 66-unit temporary lodging extension on the northern vacant parcels. An additional 56 temporary lodging units are proposed; however, the current code only entitles them to 22 additional units, Wright noted.
At 102 Eighth Ave. and 702 Pass-a-Grille Way, the former Marine Hotel and presently the Tarpon Lodge and greenspace is proposed for redevelopment to a boutique hotel with 27 to 31 units, rooftop pool and bar, and ground floor commercial along 8th Avenue.
Developers of 200-250 75th Ave., an approximate half-acre parcel at the downtown entrance to the city, on the southern side of 75th Ave, approached the city with a proposal to construct a 10,000-square-foot, 3-story, mixed-use development that includes ground-floor commercial or office space with residences above.
Wright advised commissioners that the nearly one-acre half-block that forms the southeastern intersection of 75th Ave and Gulf Blvd., in the heart of the city’s downtown, has recently had three development concepts prepared for it. Development proposals include a coffee shop and/or retail store, as well as a grocery market.
Developers of 200-250 75th Ave., an approximate half-acre parcel at the downtown entrance to the city, on the southern side of 75th Ave, approached the city with a proposal to construct a 10,000-square-foot, 3-story, mixed-use development that includes ground-floor commercial or office space with residences above.
Wright advised commissioners that the nearly one-acre half-block that forms the southeastern intersection of 75th Ave and Gulf Blvd., in the heart of the city’s downtown, has recently had three development concepts prepared for it. Development proposals include a coffee shop and/or retail store, as well as a grocery market.
