St. Pete's New Commerce Park Proposal

0:00St. Pete just dropped a new request for proposals on April 6th for the Commerce Park site. That's about three acres of city land along 22nd Street South, right in the Duce's corridor, north of Interstate 275. A praise that $4.5 million in sitting across from the Manhattan Casino, they're pushing for a mixed-use spot with shops retail. And mixed-income housing that offers rentals and homes to buy. This chunk of land has seen plans flop for over 20 years. Back in 2007, under Mayor Rick Baker, they scooped up parcels for a manufacturing hub to spark jobs in South St. Pete. The great recession killed that vibe, and later pushes with partners for factories and a bike shop started building in 2018, but fizzled out. With no jobs showing up, now the focus is on real community impact, honoring the area's black heritage while opening doors for small, minority, and women-owned businesses. Their maximizing density under the zoning rules for a lively street activation.

1:02Meanwhile, the neighborhoods heating up with Duce's rising town homes almost done, and the Manhattan Casino set to reopen later this year. City officials want full proposals packed with designs, budgets, timelines, and proof developers can deliver fast, starting right after they get. But picked, questions from bidders due by May 6 with submissions closing May 22nd at 10am. The mayor makes the call, and council gives the green light. Proposals have to fit the vision for equitable growth, and you can grab the full details on the city's website. Same Pete's betting big on this one, finally clicking for the Duce's. Local news, powered by AI. This is Tampa Bay News today.