News Summary
The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners has approved the Azalea Gateway project, a new apartment community in St. Petersburg aiming to provide 1,000 housing units in a phased development. With a budget of $110 million for the first phase, the project prioritizes affordable housing for local families. Located near Azalea Park, this transformative community is designed to offer amenities and address previous site controversies. Completion is anticipated by 2030, promising to enhance the area significantly.
Exciting New Development Coming to St. Petersburg!
St. Petersburg, get ready for a major transformation! The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners has given the green light to an exciting new apartment community called Azalea Gateway. This massive project will bring a total of 1,000 units to the area, aimed at providing housing solutions for everyone, especially those in our hardworking neighborhoods.
What’s in Store?
The Azalea Gateway project will unfold in three different phases, starting with the first phase, which has been allocated a whopping $5.25 million in funding from the county. This was unanimously approved by county officials on January 14th, making waves in the community. However, there’s a little twist – the funding is dependent on St. Petersburg City Council giving the thumbs up for an additional $6 million for phase one, with a vote expected to occur in February. It’s certainly a critical moment for this future development!
Making Housing Affordable
The estimated cost for the entire first phase is around $110 million, and it will comprise 340 apartments. Here’s the good news: out of these, 51 units are specifically set aside for families making up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and another 51 units for those earning up to 120% of AMI. This means that a percentage of these homes will remain affordable for a minimum of 50 years – a real win for the community!
Location, Location, Location
Azalea Gateway will boast a prime location at 1501 72nd Street North, just a stone’s throw away from the lovely Azalea Park. Spanning an impressive 29 acres, this development will not only have homes, but also a whopping 1,800 parking spaces across all phases. Picture all those happy residents parking without a hassle!
A Community for Everyone
The design will feature various types of residential buildings, including two U-shaped structures and one L-shaped building, catering to the needs of prospective tenants. To add to the allure, there will be plenty of community amenities within the first phase, such as a clubhouse, fitness center, yoga room, game room, and a resort-style pool. And let’s not forget our furry friends! There will even be a pet spa, because everyone deserves pampering, right?
Phased Development to Ensure Quality
Each of the three phases of Azalea Gateway is expected to take about two years to complete, with the entire project aiming for completion by 2030. Phase two is expected to mirror the designs of the first and will introduce a beautiful green park space situated between the L-shaped buildings. This dedication to quality and community shows that a lot of thought is going into this project.
Addressing Community Concerns
It’s worth mentioning that this site was once mired in controversy. Originally, the project site was purchased in 2021 for $10.5 million with hopes of turning it into a sports complex, but plans went awry due to community opposition. Plus, the site has a history of environmental issues stemming from its previous ownership by defense contractor Raytheon, which led to soil contamination dating back to the 1950s. Thankfully, groundwater remediation has been ongoing since 2014, working to clear up those old issues.
The Team Behind the Magic
Collaboration is key as this project involves a solid development team, including Porter Development, the Boca Raton-based Falcone Group, and Tampa’s Metro Development Group. Local firms, such as ARC3 Architecture and Gulf Coast Consulting, have joined forces with global engineering company Stantec to bring this vision to life.
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
With the approval stages set in motion and the promise of affordable housing for the community, Azalea Gateway certainly seems poised to become a landmark development in St. Petersburg. Residents can be hopeful for the positive changes to come, enhancing our beautiful city for years to come!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Affordable Housing Development in St. Petersburg
Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst: Rethinking Urban Development
- I Love the Burg: St. Pete Waterfront Master Plan
- Florida Politics: Federal Grant to St. Pete
- Google Search: St. Petersburg development
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
