By ANNE LINDBERG, TB Reporter

Two major grocery stores located on the site have closed. The city owns the property.

ST. PETERSBURG – City officials are hoping the third time’s the charm for city-owned property that has seen two major grocery stores close in recent years.

They released a request for proposals Monday (April 30) that they hope will bring in a developer who will find a formula to breathe life into the property at 1794 22nd St. S.

“I am pleased we are moving ahead with the next steps for Tangerine Plaza, and I look forward to the responses we get from this request for proposals,” St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said. “I hope anyone interested in this important parcel of land will submit a proposal for our review. I want to thank my economic development and urban affairs teams for their work in getting this done.”

Although including a grocery store as part of any proposal is not a requirement, the RFP says plans that include a grocery will be “preferred.” Among the “preferred” elements of any proposal:

• Development of a mixed-use complex with a grocery or other food-based element that will address the lack of healthy food options for residents of the community;
• Development that provides space for city or non-profit entities to deliver services to the South St. Petersburg community;
• Creation of the most permanent full time jobs for residents of the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area, which is generally bounded by 2nd Avenue N, I-275, I-175 and Booker Creek on the north; 4th Street Son the east; 30th Avenue S on the south; and 49th Street on the west.
• Occupancy of all or some of the project site by a local South St. Petersburg business;
• If housing is included in the proposal, it must be affordable for CRA residents; and
• Working with the city’s workforce development team on hiring CRA residents during the construction phase of the project as well for permanent jobs after completion.

Proposals must be delivered no later than 10 a.m. July 2.

Officials have long grappled with finding a successful mix for the property, which has seen the closure of both a Sweetbay and a Walmart Neighborhood grocery. In 2017, city officials began considering redevelopment and re-use options after the Walmart grocery shuttered its doors. While officials worked on details, the city implemented a pilot project to shuttle area residents to alternative grocery stores. They also held several community conversations and completed a market analysis in preparation for finding a sustainable solution for the 47,000-square-foot space.

For a copy of the RFP, go to stpete.org.

Photo of Tangerine Plaza courtesy of the city of St. Petersburg.

Tangerine Plaza | Rick Kriseman | Neighborhoods | Redevelopment | Business | Tampabay News

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