City Council Approves Demolition of Another Historic Block Downtown For Funsies
While the vote is not scheduled to take place until Thursday, March 26 at 5 p.m., city officials have already begun demolition work on a historic block in downtown St. Petersburg, citing that it’s ‘low-key fire.’”
The project will replace some of the last remaining affordable housing in the area with a 21-story luxury apartment tower, a transition leaders say, “goes insanely hard.”
Officials emphasized that while concerns regarding displacement, historic preservation, and neighborhood character were raised during previous hearings, those issues were ultimately not as cool as demolishing stuff.
Preservation advocates noted that while the buildings are historic, literally anything else would be cooler there, adding that they will be present at Thursday’s meeting to express mild concern before ultimately allowing whatever happens to happen. Sources say the group’s opposition is expected to be largely ceremonial, though delivered in a thoughtful and professional tone. They are actively seeking donations to support future inaction.
Project representatives added that halting the development at this stage would be totally unfair to developers, who have already invested significant capital into planning the project, and evicting residents.
Supporters of the redevelopment described the existing buildings as a contributing blight to the nearby marijuana dispensary, massage parlor, and Chabad Center, adding that the site would be better utilized by something taller, newer, and more expensive.
City officials also confirmed that the 370-unit tower is expected to generate only minor traffic impacts, despite increasing the number of residents on the site by several hundred.
The project includes a $1.5 million contribution to the city’s affordable housing trust fund, which leaders say will be used to support a private, D.C.-based developer in constructing new, thoughtfully priced $4,000 per month affordable housing units.
The meeting is open to the public, though residents are encouraged not to attend.
