St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has selected a proposal from local investor Blake Investment Partners to redevelop Tropicana Field and the downtown land around it, according to City Council member Corey Givens Jr.
Givens confirmed Tuesday evening that Welch’s administration notified him of the selection, which is expected to be announced Thursday morning. Welch selected Blake’s proposal, called the Burg Bid, and a pitch from the Pinellas County Housing Authority. The authority would build an affordable senior living tower on half an acre near what Welch has dubbed the Historic Gas Plant District.
“I won’t lie, I’m very excited to see this news,” Givens said. “My hope is that whatever happens after this election won’t impact this development.”
Welch, who is running for reelection, was scooped on his own announcement by political operator Peter Schorsch at a Suncoast Tiger Bay forum Tuesday evening. Schorsch asked candidates running for two City Council seats what they thought about Welch choosing Blake for the 86-acre site.
Schorsch’s wife, Michelle Todd Schorsch, is running former Florida Gov. and U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist’s campaign for mayor. Crist is among five candidates challenging Welch.
In a text message, city spokesperson Samantha Bequer would not confirm the news.
“An announcement regarding the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District will be made on Thursday,” she said. “Any comment made before then is not official.”
The Burg Bid, led by developer Thompson Whitney Blake, has offered $275 million in cash for 58 acres of the Gas Plant, more than any of his competitors. It promises 3,600 income-restricted housing units, also more than its competitors, though half of those are off-site.
Blake did not immediately return a call and text seeking comment.
At the end of the forum at the St. Petersburg Museum of History, Schorsch won a stuffed tiger toy as a reward for asking the best question.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
