Plans for the Merriwether site aim to blend residential and retail spaces while preserving the area's heritage.
St. Petersburg is set to revitalize the historic Merriwether Building site with new mixed-use development proposals. The city aims to incorporate affordable housing and retail options to enhance the community, with plans from three distinct development groups. Each proposal focuses on preserving the area’s heritage while addressing housing needs and supporting local businesses, ensuring a promising future for this cherished location.
St. Petersburg is set to revitalize the historic Merriwether Building site with new mixed-use development proposals. The city aims to incorporate affordable housing and retail options to enhance the community, with plans from three distinct development groups. Each proposal focuses on preserving the area’s heritage while addressing housing needs and supporting local businesses, ensuring a promising future for this cherished location.
St. Petersburg is gearing up for some exciting changes! The historic Merriwether Building site at 951 22nd Street South has been vacant since it collapsed during Hurricane Irma in 2017. It’s time to breathe new life into this cherished location, and recent proposals show we’re heading in the right direction.
The city recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) to transform three empty parcels at the Merriwether site into a mixed-use destination that includes affordable housing and retail options. The aim? To revitalize this area while keeping its rich history in mind. Exciting proposals have already been submitted by three different development groups: Green Mills Group, Alexander Goshen and Goode Van Slyke Architecture, and Making Opportunities Materialize Inc. (MOM).
Each proposal brings something unique to the area:
– Alexander Goshen and Goode Van Slyke Architecture are pitching a cozy 26-unit residential development. They plan to dedicate 10 of those units for residents earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with a special focus on veterans. In addition to apartment living, this proposal includes a spacious 3,077-square-foot residential lobby and over 9,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, featuring a grocery store—a boon for local food access. The estimated cost? About $9.4 million. This project aims to preserve local architectural heritage and help combat food deserts with a rooftop garden and container farming to foster fresh food options. They’re also committed to boosting economic opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned businesses.
– Green Mills Group proposes the ambitious Heritage Grove project, which would bring 54 units of affordable housing alongside retail space. They’re looking for a 99-year ground lease for a total of $885,000. A standout feature of this proposal is its commitment to reinvest 25% of the residual cash flow right back into the St. Petersburg community! This development focuses on families and working folks earning between 30% and 80% of the AMI, with an estimated project cost of around $20 million. Expect amenities like a community clubhouse, business center, and spaces tailored for minority business owners.
– Lastly, Making Opportunities Materialize Inc. (MOM) has a plan for the Gallery Lofts project, featuring a four-story building with 18 condos. This project aims to tackle housing and food insecurity head-on. They anticipate about 3,000 square feet of retail space, which will house a neighborhood market named FRESH Pace and a laundromat run by a veteran-owned business. Prices for these condos are set between $180,000 and $320,000 to welcome essential workers, seniors, and veterans. The overall cost is around $6.2 million, and they have plans to include the land in a Community Land Trust.
The Merriwether site is perfectly positioned along the Warehouse Arts District and the 22nd Street South corridor, right where city officials want to focus on equitable development. These proposals not only aim to bring new life to a storied site but also reflect a strong commitment to community involvement, economic growth, and the cultural preservation that St. Petersburg holds dear.
The proposals, once qualified, will be presented to Mayor Ken Welch for potential approval of development agreements, which will also provide an opportunity for public input. With the plans laid out, the future looks bright for St. Petersburg and its beloved Merriwether site. Stay tuned for more updates as these proposals take shape!
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