It felt like déjà vu: Developers set up booths in the enclaves of The Coliseum, mingled with the public and prepared their case for why they should be the ones to redevelop St. Petersburg’s most treasured 86 acres.
The city went through this in January 2023. Bidders gave public presentations at The Coliseum. A developer was picked, votes were taken and contracts were signed, but the Tampa Bay Rays and Hines backed out before shovels were in the ground around Tropicana Field.
Hopeful developers were back at The Coliseum on Thursday. Blake Investment Partners, Foundation Vision Partners, the Pinellas County Housing Authority and Ark Ellison Horus made the shortlist out of eight bidders. The teams set up their booths and prepared to give 20-minute presentations.
This time, developers gave out custom hats and T-shirts with their logos. Blake Investment Partners had navy hats and shirts. Ark Ellison Horus, whose unsolicited proposal triggered a request for other offers, had white merchandise. Members from each team gave out leaflets with renderings, numbers and figures.
Mayor Ken Welch reiterated Thursday that his goal is to select one or more of the four shortlisted proposals in June. Even though a contract won’t be ready until next summer, when Welch may or may not be mayor after this year’s election, he said now is the time to move forward with doing good on promises of jobs, affordable housing and opportunities for small and local businesses.
“I think folks want to see progress on that land, and we want to see that those … acres of asphalt turn into economic benefit for our community,” he told the media before presentations.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
