One of the Southeast’s most anticipated urban development projects moves forward, as St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman recently announced that he has narrowed the search for the developer for redevelopment of the 86-acre Tropicana Field site located in downtown St. Pete to two finalists. Both finalists, Midtown Development and Sugar Hill Community Partners/JMA Venture have extensive experience in large, mixed-use projects. The goal for the reimagined site is a mixed-use, mixed-income community steeped in art, history, and green space connected to the surrounding neighborhoods that will generate revenue for the city and jobs for residents.
Midtown Development’s Creekside proposal would bring more than 6.2 million square feet of residential living and more than 3 million square feet of office space amidst more than a million square feet of walkable gardens. The Midtown development team is made of 19 national and local organizations that have worked on projects like Midtown Miami, “On the Trail” in Greenville, South Carolina, and the De Young Museum Gardens in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
The redevelopment of the Tropicana site will be a place designed to connect to surrounding neighborhoods, to connect the past heritage of this site to the future endeavors of the community and to connect to a nationwide movement of social, racial and environmental justice that will define the future of St. Petersburg for the next century. We will achieve this through a rigorous process that includes robust community outreach, an imaginative urban design strategy aimed at building a community that reflects the desires of the residents, especially those in South St. Pete, and with a long-term sustainable financial model that produces good jobs, funding for public benefits that the city sees as critical attributes for a successful future and a public realm and construction of high quality for all residents. – Midtown Development proposal
Sugar Hill Community Partners/JMA Ventures’ proposal offers more than 4 million square feet of office space and more than 5 million square feet of residential living, as well as a convention center and performing arts center. Its team is comprised of leading local and international firms, advisors, operators, and developers experienced with projects that include Downtown Commons in Sacramento, Major League Baseball Headquarters, and The Edge Park in Brooklyn.
[Sugar Hill/JMA’s] work on the Tropicana Field redevelopment suggests that the project can be a powerful engine for further economic growth. Collaborating with USF on coalescing energy and best practices around the blue economy. Taking advantage of what we view as a compelling convention and meeting space market opportunity. Filling the clear need for Class A office space in downtown St. Petersburg . These initiatives and others will create good jobs, attract employers, and foster new businesses. –Sugar Hill Community Partners/JMA Ventures proposal
Both proposals aim to honor the site’s history, connecting new development to existing neighborhoods and celebrating the uniqueness of St. Petersburg. For more about redevelopment of the Tropicana Site, visit Tropicana Field Redevelopment.
