St. Pete Council Greenlights Tangerine Plaza Development Extension in Close Vote

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A local development group has been granted more time to advance their significant project at Tangerine Plaza on 22nd Street South. This area, classified as a food desert, stands to benefit greatly from the proposed grocery store and affordable housing solutions.

Previously home to a Sweetbay and a neighborhood Walmart, the site has mostly remained vacant. However, a decision made on Tuesday has given the Sugar Hill Group an extended timeline to realize their transformative plans for the Deuces and Midtown corridors.

Residents and businesses in St. Armands are advocating for investments to enhance stormwater infrastructure, highlighting the community’s broader push for improvements.

“The introduction of a grocery store and affordable housing is crucial. We lack such amenities, and a new construction would offer residents a chance to improve their living conditions and quality of life,” remarked Beatrice Morris, a local resident who attended the meeting.

Community members expressed to the council that securing a grocery store and fostering economic growth in the area has been a lengthy endeavor. They emphasized the impact of past disinvestment and voiced hopes that this project will spark a positive transformation.

“There is nothing now, right now in terms of money,” Hanewicz said. “We have a budget that’s coming up that we’ve already discussed next year that we’re going to be worse off, and there is no guarantee this money is going to be there.”

“I cannot accept or support an extension today. You guys haven’t even gotten it together. No one has. And that is a disservice to the community,” Driscoll said.

There was back and forth on what the final number of units will be and if they will attract 80% or 60% of the Area Median Income residents. This would impact funding from both the city and the county.

The Sugar Hill Group told the council they are committed, saying this is the home stretch and they want to bring it in.

“We’re confident that they’re going to do those things that they need to do to be able to bring this to fruition and help complete the capital stay,” said Oliver Gross with Sugar Hill Group.

Council members in support of the project said this council has approved extensions for other developers, and stopping this project could put them back at the drawing board, slowing down progress for the Deuces.

“This is a community led, community grown development group that wants to do right by our city in an area that has been depressed for too long,” said council member Brandi Gabbard.

Positive Impact Ministries was at the meeting. Their organization has done food giveaways at Tangerine Plaza for many years. They also pitched ideas to the city to take over the plaza, though it never went through. But city staff said they are committed to helping the group find a location to continue their efforts.