Brandon1924 – The original Gandy Bridge spanning Tampa Bay opened on this date. Business partners, George S. Gandy and Walter Fuller, decided to pursue construction of the bridge, which was originally conceived in 1910. Construction was postponed during World War I, and after the war, Fuller pulled out of the project, leaving Gandy to raise the $1,932,000 needed to build the bridge. Upon completion of the two-and-a-half-mile steel and concrete bridge in 1924, it became the longest automobile toll bridge in the world. The original bridge was in use until 1975 when it was dismantled. A second span was opened in 1956 and served local traffic needs until 1997, when it became a pedestrian bridge. However, it was recently closed due to structural issues. A third span was added in 1975 and a fourth was later built in 1996, both of which are still utilized for vehicular traffic.
Gandy Bridge is the southernmost bridge spanning Old Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg, Florida to Tampa, Florida. The original 1924 span was dismantled in 1975. The second bridge, constructed in 1956 was used for vehicular traffic until 1997, when it was converted to recreational use by non-motorized traffic. It became known as the Friendship Trail Bridge and was demolished in 2016, after closing in 2008 due to hazardous conditions and several failed efforts to preserve the span. The third (1975) and fourth (1997) spans of the Gandy Bridge are currently being used for vehicle traffic.
Almost three miles long, the Gandy Bridge is one of three bridges connecting the mainland of Hillsborough County and Pinellas County; the others being the Howard Frankland Bridge and the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
Original span (1924–1975)
The original span of Gandy Bridge
In 1910, H. Walter Fuller was a director of three companies owned by F. A. Davis. George S. Gandy Sr was the president of all three companies. Fuller prepared a map including a proposed bridge that would cross upper Tampa Bay following the route of Ninth Street North in St. Petersburg. Gandy partnered with Fuller, incorporating three companies towards design and construction of the bridge. Survey crews decided to change the route from Ninth Street to Fourth Street. In 1918, World War Irequired that all projects exceeding $250,000 required a certificate of necessity from the War Industries Board headed by Bernard Baruch. The project was not approved and financing was canceled. Gandy bought out Fuller’s interests and continued alone.
In 1922, Gandy hired promoter Eugene M. Elliott to attract new investment. Gandy sold enough stock to finance the bridge, which cost $1.932 million.[2] Construction began in September 1922 and the bridge was completed for a formal opening on November 20, 1924. The steel and concrete bridge spanned a distance of two and a half miles, making it the longest automobile toll bridge in the world at that time. Its double steel bascule drawbridge had a clearance span of 75 feet (23 m) and operated electrically. The original toll to cross the bridge was $.75 for an automobile and driver and $.10 for additional passengers. The bridge stopped collecting tolls on April 27, 1944, after it was seized by the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt. On December 23, 1945, a federal jury awarded The Gandy Company $2,383,642 in compensation for the property, plus $100,000 in interest.[3]
The bridge reduced the distance between Tampa and St. Petersburg from 43 to 19 miles (31 km). Its location enabled travel by auto along the route of the world’s first scheduled airline flight, which operated between Tampa and Saint Petersburg for six months in 1914.
The Gandy Bridge opened on November 20, 1924[4][5] Sixteen visiting state governors and several foreign dignitaries attended the opening ceremony. During George Gandy’s speech, he stated; “The bridge is built!”[6]
The bridge was dismantled in 1975 immediately after completion of a third span. Efforts to preserve the bridge for recreational purposes were not supported by the Pinellas County Commission, which felt the idea was too expensive, too dangerous, and unnecessary.[7]
Second span (1956–1997, demolished as of 2016)
A second span was added in 1956
By 1947, state Sen. Raymond Sheldon described the bridge as “outmoded, too narrow and a traffic bottleneck.”[8] In 1956 a second slightly higher, fixed span was added to the Gandy Bridge to serve westbound traffic. The first span would then serve eastbound traffic until 1975. The second bridge remained in use until February 1997.
Friendship Trail Bridge (1999–2008)
Years before, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) deemed the bridge structurally deficient to vehicular traffic unless costly repairs were made. FDOT initially planned to demolish the middle section of the bridge (including the hump) and leave the remaining fishing pier segments intact. The demolished segments would have then been used for an artificial reef. When residents and community groups in both Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties lobbied together against FDOT and the governments of the two counties to save the 1956 bridge, FDOT dropped its demolition plan. After two years of hearings and funding issues, the 1956 bridge reopened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic on December 11, 1999, as the Friendship Trail Bridge.
The 1956 span was opened to pedestrian and recreational use from 1999 until 2008
On November 6, 2008, the Friendship Trail was shut down “indefinitely” (though the ends remained open) after a state inspection determined that there were significant structural problems with the bridge’s superstructure. The bridge had been decaying for years, eventually forcing the closure of the span to vehicular traffic. However, the inspection yielded that the corrosion of the superstructure had worsened and that the overall condition of the bridge was no longer suitable to keep it open due to safety issues. Only a couple months before, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge‘s fishing piers were deemed to the same fate (A recent inspection there had forced the closure of the eastern span on both the northern and southern piers). There was also a repair plan in place for the bridge that would have repaired the pylons at a cost of $4.2 million. That project was cancelled due to the new developments.[9]
December 17 brought further gloom for the trail when preliminary estimates to retrofit the bridge added up to about $30 million. Furthermore, the projected costs would only provide a temporary solution to the structure that would only last about ten years. With the state and the nation in recession, county governments saw no way to meet the staggering costs, leaving the trail likely closed for good.[10]
December 20, 2008 a report done by Kisinger Campo & Associates and SDR Engineering Consultants showed that the bridge could potentially collapse due to the amount of decay on the structure.[11]Immediately after the report was released, Hillsborough and Pinellas County officials decided to close the entire bridge permanently.[12] The report suggested the following:
-
- $4.1 million to retrofit both ends of the bridge only
-
- $13 million to demolish the bridge only
-
- $30 million to retrofit the entire structure
-
- $81.1 million to demolish and rebuild the bridge
In May 2009, the initial estimates were revised:[11]
-
- $10 million to retrofit both ends of the bridge only
-
- $13 million to demolish the bridge only
-
- $15 million to retrofit the entire structure
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- $19 million to demolish and rebuild fishing piers
After a series of meetings in May, June, and July 2009, the Friendship Trail bridge oversight committee voted to explore the $15 million option to retrofit the entire bridge, which would add about 10 years to its lifespan, with supporters hoping that it would be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.[citation needed] A peer review done by E.C. Driver and Associates disagreed on the repair estimate claiming it would take $48 million to repair the bridge.[11]
Also in July 2009, the animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) offered to contribute funds to help save the Friendship Trail. However, the group asked for fishing to be banned throughout the entire span.
In April 2010, both Hillsborough and Pinellas County Commissions voted to demolish the entire structure. The commissions are still proposing ways to commence demolition and a timetable has not yet been set.[13]
In March 2011, citizens came together to save the bridge again, proposing a public/private partnership to fund repairs.[14]
In April 2011, Hillsborough County Commission voted to delay the demolition in order to give a group of citizens 30 days to come up with a viable plan to repair and re-open the bridge[15]
On June 27, 2012, the Hillsborough County Commission voted to allow the group more time to evaluate their options for the bridge. It would also allow the commission to decide on a plan to possibly present a referendum to voters in November to hike the property tax to fund park improvements.[16]
Despite the various community efforts to save the bridge, none were able to fully materialize. As of September 2015, the span was gradually being demolished, with guardrails and lighting being removed. Afterwards, the span cut away in sections and hauled off site for recycling. Demolition work was completed as of July 2016.
Third span (1975–present) & Fourth span (1996–present)
Traveling across the 1975 (eastbound) bridge with the 1997 (westbound) bridge to the left
A third span was opened to traffic on October 20, 1975, and was originally without street lighting. This replaced the original span which was immediately dismantled.
On December 21, 1996, another parallel span was built in between the two existing spans to replace the aging 1956 bridge. The new bridge was initially opened to eastbound traffic while the 1975 bridge was closed to allow FDOT to install street lighting and conduct other bridge work. Westbound traffic at that time continued to utilize the 1956 bridge. The 1996 bridge was converted to westbound traffic in February 1997.
Differences between the spans
The differences between the three bridges are obvious to observers. The westbound span is nine feet higher than the older eastbound span, and has a more gradual hump than its counterpart. The design and architecture of the westbound bridge is similar to the Clearwater Pass Bridge replacement, which was completed in 1994.
Fifth Span (Future)
In June 2021, FDOT announced that it is conducting a study to construct a fifth span to eventually replace the aging third (1975) span. The new span is slated to be constructed along the north side of the fourth (1996) span, perhaps right over where the second (1956) span once stood. While the agency has identified that work will include widening the fourth span, it is currently unclear as to whether the span will only have widened shoulders, or if an additional travel lane will be added. It is also unclear as to how many lanes the new span will have, though a trail component will be included to replace the trail link lost when the second span was demolished, thus fully reactivating the Friendship Trail. Should FDOT commence with the project, the design phase will begin sometime in 2025.[18] Upon completion of the fifth span, all three Pinellas-Hillsborough bridge crossings over Old Tampa Bay will have trail components. Also, the fifth span will serve westbound traffic while the fourth span will switch to handling eastbound traffic.
Snug Harbor Gandy Blvd Development
New Details on Gandy Project
12/15/2022
St. Pete City Council approves a revised development agreement for Snug Harbor, a waterfront project on Gandy Boulevard
This will increase the residential unit number to 470.
BACKGROUND:
A Development Agreement (DA) was approved in 2009 for three parcels combined known as Gandy Center, Pirates Cove and Riviera, consisting of approximately 34 acres of upland, generally located South of Gandy Blvd and East of San Fernando Blvd. NE. On December 9, 2021, City Council approved the first amendment to DA. The purpose of the first amendment to the 2009 Development Agreement was to reflect a revised development program.
REQUEST:
The applicant is requesting a second amendment to the Development Agreement to increase the allowable density in accordance with recent state legislation. In 2021, the state legislature passed SB64 which established Section 403.892, F.S. providing for a 25%-35% density bonus when developments provide graywater collection and reuse systems. In the 2022 legislative session under HB 965, 403.892 was amended to further clarify the requirements for multi-family projects, allowing a master graywater collection and reuse system for such projects.
RECOMMENDATION:
Administration: City staff recommends APPROVAL.
Community Planning and Preservation Commission: On November 8, 2022, the CPPC held the first public hearing on the amendment and provided a recommendation of approval to City Council by a vote of 5-0.
Recommended City Council Action:
1) CONDUCT the second reading and public hearing AND
2) APPROVE the proposed Ordinance.
Attachments: Ordinance, Development Agreement, CPPC Staff Report with current Development Agreement
Firm unveils details on 39-acre Gandy project
A rendering of the new multifamily development at 12000 Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg. All images: Key International.
New details have emerged on a 39-acre planned mixed-use residential development on Gandy Boulevard.
Miami-based real estate firm Key International purchased several parcels at 12000 Gandy Blvd. last week in a combined $19 million all-cash deal.
“It’s rare to find a large tract of land with so much waterfront,” Michael Vassilaros, chief investment officer for Key International, said to the St. Pete Catalyst. “Our portfolio is heavily weighted in waterfront projects. Over time, we’ve performed very well with our waterfront hotels and condo projects. With this property, we see the ability to do a waterfront rental development and to hold this asset for the long-term rather than selling it as a condo project.”
Vassilaros said the firm discovered the property several years ago through a Colliers’ listing. Construction for the soon-to-be-named development is expected to commence in 2023.
Last year, the Catalyst first reported Key International was planning to develop the 39 acres, at the southeast corner of Gandy Boulevard and Snug Harbor Road.
With the now-secured site, Key International has unveiled renderings and further details on the future waterfront mixed-use community, including a marina and restaurant concept.
A rendering of the new multifamily development at 12000 Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg.
New details have emerged on a 39-acre planned mixed-use residential development on Gandy Boulevard.
Miami-based real estate firm Key International purchased several parcels at 12000 Gandy Blvd. last week in a combined $19 million all-cash deal.
“It’s rare to find a large tract of land with so much waterfront,” Michael Vassilaros, chief investment officer for Key International, said to the St. Pete Catalyst. “Our portfolio is heavily weighted in waterfront projects. Over time, we’ve performed very well with our waterfront hotels and condo projects. With this property, we see the ability to do a waterfront rental development and to hold this asset for the long-term rather than selling it as a condo project.”
Vassilaros said the firm discovered the property several years ago through a Colliers’ listing. Construction for the soon-to-be-named development is expected to commence in 2023.
Last year, the Catalyst first reported Key International was planning to develop the 39 acres, at the southeast corner of Gandy Boulevard and Snug Harbor Road.
With the now-secured site, Key International has unveiled renderings and further details on the future waterfront mixed-use community, including a marina and restaurant concept.
The development will encompass 3,000 linear feet of prime water frontage and will feature 324 waterfront apartment units and 52 rental townhomes.
Vassilaros said the two-story townhomes will line a three-acre lake, which will also be used as a water retention site, and the apartments will be located along the waterfront.
“By code, we could only build up to a certain height of buildings, which would typically impact the waterfront views, but because of the large frontage, we can offer a significant percentage of the views for those who want the waterfront living lifestyle,” he said.
The notable growth in the St. Petersburg-Tampa metro also led to Key International’s decision to invest in the area.
An 8,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant, for which a tenant has not yet been selected, will sit adjacent to a public dry stack marina and wet slips lining the project.
Vassilaros said the team is currently working on the approval for the slips, but said residents and restaurant visitors would be able to anchor watercraft there.
Amenities for the community include two resort-style pools, a clubhouse, a volleyball court, a basketball court, pickleball courts, a playground and a recreational field.
There will also be a boardwalk lined with exercise paths and a kayak/paddleboard launch area.
A rendering of the new multifamily development at 12000 Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg. All images: Key International.
New details have emerged on a 39-acre planned mixed-use residential development on Gandy Boulevard.
Miami-based real estate firm Key International purchased several parcels at 12000 Gandy Blvd. last week in a combined $19 million all-cash deal.
“It’s rare to find a large tract of land with so much waterfront,” Michael Vassilaros, chief investment officer for Key International, said to the St. Pete Catalyst. “Our portfolio is heavily weighted in waterfront projects. Over time, we’ve performed very well with our waterfront hotels and condo projects. With this property, we see the ability to do a waterfront rental development and to hold this asset for the long-term rather than selling it as a condo project.”
Vassilaros said the firm discovered the property several years ago through a Colliers’ listing. Construction for the soon-to-be-named development is expected to commence in 2023.
Last year, the Catalyst first reported Key International was planning to develop the 39 acres, at the southeast corner of Gandy Boulevard and Snug Harbor Road.
With the now-secured site, Key International has unveiled renderings and further details on the future waterfront mixed-use community, including a marina and restaurant concept.
A rendering of the new multifamily development at 12000 Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg.
The development will encompass 3,000 linear feet of prime water frontage and will feature 324 waterfront apartment units and 52 rental townhomes.
Vassilaros said the two-story townhomes will line a three-acre lake, which will also be used as a water retention site, and the apartments will be located along the waterfront.
“By code, we could only build up to a certain height of buildings, which would typically impact the waterfront views, but because of the large frontage, we can offer a significant percentage of the views for those who want the waterfront living lifestyle,” he said.
The notable growth in the St. Petersburg-Tampa metro also led to Key International’s decision to invest in the area.
A rendering of the new waterfront restaurant concept at 12000 Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg.
An 8,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant, for which a tenant has not yet been selected, will sit adjacent to a public dry stack marina and wet slips lining the project.
Vassilaros said the team is currently working on the approval for the slips, but said residents and restaurant visitors would be able to anchor watercraft there.
Amenities for the community include two resort-style pools, a clubhouse, a volleyball court, a basketball court, pickleball courts, a playground and a recreational field.
There will also be a boardwalk lined with exercise paths and a kayak/paddleboard launch area.
Key international has developed over 10 million square feet of residential units and has a $1.5 billion hotel portfolio. The group developed the dual-branded Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites hotel in Clearwater Beach.
The project team includes engineering consultant North Carolina-based Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., South Florida-based MSA Architects, Tampa-based surveyor MRIC Spatial and Fort Lauderdale-based Architectural Alliance Landscape as the landscape architect.
39-acre mixed-use project moving forward near Gandy Blvd
On Monday, The St Pete Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) unanimously approved amendments to a mixed-use development agreement that would bring residential units, a restaurant, and a public marina to Snug Harbor.
The currently vacant, 39-acre property is south of Gandy Blvd and East of San Fernando Blvd NE and consists of three combined parcels known as Gandy Center, Pirates Cove, and Riviera.
The original development agreement, approved in 2009, outlined plans to build 120 apartment units, a commercial marina with 45 wet slips, 72,000 square feet of retail space, and three restaurants comprising 21,000 square feet on the northern portion of the property, along with 256 single family or townhome residential units and 225 private docks on the southern parcel.
After Monday’s hearing, that agreement was modified, replacing the retail space with a 37,800 square foot public marina that houses 200 dry slips in addition to the 45 wet slips outside. Additionally, total restaurant space was reduced to 8,000 square feet, or one restaurant instead of three restaurants.
No changes were made to the number of residential units; plans outlining 376 total units, or a 120 unit apartment complex in the northern parcel and 256 residential units in the southern two parcels, remain intact. However, the approved amendments remove the specification that the latter 256 units be limited to single family or townhomes, allowing more flexibility in the design process.
Summary of the Proposal:
Gandy Center / Pirates Cove (North) – Zoned Planned Redevelopment Mixed Use
- 120-unit apartment complex
- 37,800 SF high and dry public marina building with 200 dry slips
- 45 public wet slips
- One 8,000 SF restaurant, instead of originally proposed three restaurants at 21,000 SF
- (No longer plans for 72,000 SF of retail)
Riviera (South) – Zoned Residential Urban
- 256 residential units, no specifications about housing typology
- 225 private wet slips
For the public benefit, the proposal outlines several obligations of the developer, including requirements to construct a PSTA bus stop and shelter, a canoe and kayak launch, a public waterfront boardwalk, and a public pedestrian connection to the public marina facility. As part of the agreement, the developer will maintain the canal and provide public access.
Miami-based Key International is listed as the applicant. Key International’s real estate portfolio features a mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality properties scattered across the southeastern United States and southern Europe. In October, the company sold a Residence Inn by Marriott and SpringHill Suites on Clearwater Beach.
Prior to the original development agreement approval in 2009, the Gandy Center/ Pirates Cove parcel contained 4,300 square feet of commercial retail, 833 square feet of office/marina with 55 wet slips, and 64 mobile homes. The Riviera parcel was developed with 256 mobile homes, 57 wet slips, and a clubhouse.
In 2009, it was determined that the proposal outlined in the development agreement was consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Although not a part of the original agreement, it was noted that the owners are “seriously considering” including workforce housing in their final plans, pending an updated review, according to Elise Batse of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler, who spoke at Monday’s hearing on behalf of the property owners – listed only as Gandy Harbor I, LLC, Gandy Harbor II, LLC, and Gandy Harbor III, LLC.
The City did receive some public comments surrounding land use prior to Monday’s hearing, and these types of requests will be addressed in future hearings that more specifically deal with site plan approval. Monday’s amendment approval hearing focused exclusively on updating the overarching outline of the development agreement.
In other words, the CPPC’s latest approval is not a replacement for the City’s normal approval process for new developments – including redevelopment plan approval and City, site, and construction approvals. This project is far from breaking ground.
Next up, City Council will hear a first reading of the amendments on December 2nd, followed by a second reading on December 9th. If approved, the updated development agreement will expire in 2036.
A 39-acre mixed-use development near Gandy Boulevard in St. Petersburg is moving forward after the Community Planning and Preservation Commission approved amendments to a development agreement in the area.
The CPPC unanimously approved some alterations to a development agreement for the property — which is south of Gandy Boulevard and east of Snug Harbor Road — that was reached in 2009. The new plan made the following changes:
- 8,000 square feet of restaurant space, down from 21,000 square feet
- 37,800-square-foot public marina with 200 dry slips and 45 wet slips instead of 72,000 square feet of retail space
- Removed a stipulation that 256 of a planned 376 residential units had to be single-family homes or townhouses
Miami-based Key International is the applicant for the project and the owners/developers are Gandy Harbor I LLC, Gandy Harbor II LLC and Gandy Harbor III LLC.
The original development agreement was set to expire in April 2029. If all of the modifications are approved by St. Pete City Council, the new agreement will expire in 2036. Council will consider the amendments on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9.
A requirement was also included to ensure the project is mixed-use. It says the restaurant will need to be finished at the same time or prior to the first multifamily building.
The modifications also eliminated a requirement for the developers to build a connection with Friendship Trail, based on a transportation analysis.
The other requirements remain: building a Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority bus stop pad and shelter, creating a public kayak/canoe launch and public waterfront boardwalk.
Elise Batsel of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler, who represents the development team, said that the owners were “seriously considering” including workforce housing in the final plans of the project.
The property by the Gandy Bridge had once been considered as a possible new stadium site for the Tampa Bay Rays.
39-acre mixed-use project moving forward near Gandy Blvd
Link to original article: St. Pete Rising.
On Monday, The St Pete Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) unanimously approved amendments to a mixed-use development agreement that would bring residential units, a restaurant, and a public marina to Snug Harbor.
The currently vacant, 39-acre property is south of Gandy Blvd and East of San Fernando Blvd NE and consists of three combined parcels known as Gandy Center, Pirates Cove, and Riviera.
The original development agreement, approved in 2009, outlined plans to build 120 apartment units, a commercial marina with 45 wet slips, 72,000 square feet of retail space. Three restaurants comprising 21,000 square feet on the northern portion of the property. In addition 256 single family or townhome residential units and 225 private docks on the southern parcel.
After Monday’s hearing, that agreement was modified, replacing the retail space with a 37,800 square foot public marina that houses 200 dry slips in addition to the 45 wet slips outside. Additionally, total restaurant space was reduced to 8,000 square feet, or one restaurant instead of three restaurants.
No changes were made to the number of residential units; plans outlining 376 total units, or a 120 unit apartment complex in the northern parcel and 256 residential units in the southern two parcels, remain intact. However, the approved amendments remove the specification that the latter 256 units be limited to single family or townhomes, allowing more flexibility in the design process.
Summary of the Proposal:
Gandy Center / Pirates Cove (North) – Zoned Planned Redevelopment Mixed Use.
120-unit apartment complex.
37,800 SF high and dry public marina building with 200 dry slips.
45 public wet slips.
One 8,000 SF restaurant, instead of originally proposed three restaurants at 21,000 SF
(No longer plans for 72,000 SF of retail).
Riviera (South) – Zoned Residential Urban.
256 residential units, no specifications about housing typology.
225 private wet slips.
A CONCEPTUAL SITE PLAN ON SNUG HARBOR.
For the public benefit, the proposal outlines several obligations of the developer, including requirements to construct a PSTA bus stop and shelter, a canoe and kayak launch, a public waterfront boardwalk, and a public pedestrian connection to the public marina facility. As part of the agreement, the developer will maintain the canal and provide public access.
Miami-based Key International is listed as the applicant. Key International’s real estate portfolio features a mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality properties scattered across the southeastern United States and southern Europe. In October, the company sold a Residence Inn by Marriott and SpringHill Suites on Clearwater Beach.
THE 39-ACRE PROJECT ON SNUG HARBOR WILL INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL UNITS, A RESTAURANT, AND A DRY STORAGE MARINA FACILITY.
Prior to the original development agreement approval in 2009, the Gandy Center/ Pirates Cove parcel contained 4,300 square feet of commercial retail, 833 square feet of office/marina with 55 wet slips, and 64 mobile homes. The Riviera parcel was developed with 256 mobile homes, 57 wet slips, and a clubhouse.
In 2009, it was determined that the proposal outlined in the development agreement was consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Although not a part of the original agreement, it was noted that the owners are “seriously considering” including workforce housing in their final plans, pending an updated review, according to Elise Batse of Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler, who spoke at Monday’s hearing on behalf of the property owners – listed only as Gandy Harbor I, LLC, Gandy Harbor II, LLC, and Gandy Harbor III, LLC.
The City did receive some public comments surrounding land use prior to Monday’s hearing, and these types of requests will be addressed in future hearings that more specifically deal with site plan approval. Monday’s amendment approval hearing focused exclusively on updating the overarching outline of the development agreement.
In other words, the CPPC’s latest approval is not a replacement for the City’s normal approval process for new developments – including redevelopment plan approval and City, site, and construction approvals. This project is far from breaking ground.
Next up, City Council will hear a first reading of the amendments on December 2nd, followed by a second reading on December 9th. If approved, the updated development agreement will expire in 2036.
Mixed-use, 39-acre development planned along Gandy Boulevard
Published 1 week ago
on November 1, 2021
ByVeronica Brezina
An overview satellite image of the overall general area where the project will be located. GoogleMaps.
A multifamily and mixed-use development off of Gandy Boulevard is in the works.
The project, dubbed “Snug Harbor,” is a planned development in St. Petersburg consisting of residential units, a restaurant, and the construction of a marina.
The project site combines five parcels that total roughly 39 acres at the southeast corner of Gandy Boulevard and Snug Harbor Road. The parcels are currently owned by Gandy Harbor II LLC and are vacant commercial properties, according to county records.
An image showing where the project will be located. SWFWMD documents.
Key International Management LLC is listed as the applicant. The Miami-based firm real estate firm has developed over 10 million square feet of residential units and has a $1.5 billion hotel portfolio. The group developed the dual-branded Residence Inn and SpringHill Suites hotel in Clearwater Beach, which recently sold.
“This [project] is in the early planning process, our priority is to gain an understanding of the community’s needs and how we can thoughtfully contribute to the local fabric,” said Colin Gorsuch, Vice President of Development for Key International. “We look forward to working closely with the area and delivering a project that enhances the location.”
The site plans for the parcels reveal a closer look at the development. The multiple townhome buildings will have six units each along Monaco Drive and Snug Harbor Road and would be built around a pond. The plan shows at least 10 townhome buildings at the site.
A partial image of the overall site plans. SWFWMD documents.
There would be multiple multifamily buildings, one of which would have 120 units. In total, the site plans revealed 320 units, which does not include the townhomes. There would also be a clubhouse, leasing office and an amenity center that appears to have a dock that residents can use as a kayak launch site.
The project also calls for an 8,400-square-foot waterfront restaurant and 169 slips for the dry boat slips, as well as 101 wet slips.
The project team includes engineering consultant North Carolina-based Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc., South Florida-based MSA Architects, Tampa-based surveyor MRIC Spatial, and Fort Lauderdale-based Architectural Alliance Landscape as the landscape architect.
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