ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Affordable housing, economic opportunity and education all got attention in Mayor Ken Welch's "State of the City" address Tuesday.
But Welch's most-anticipated comments were likely his expectations for completing the deal with the Tampa Bay Rays to build a new ballpark and redevelop the former Gas Plant neighborhood.
Welch urges City Council to finish the process of approving the new ballpark for the Rays and Gas Plant redevelopment. Welch insists the commitment of more than a billion dollars will deliver results, including wages and property tax revenue. "We have never had, nor will we have stronger partners than (developer) Hines, the Rays and (Pinellas) county, nor will we have a better opportunity than this" to realize the promises made to the Gas Plant site's former residents.
The Gas Plant neighborhood was a predominantly African-American community that was razed in the 1980s to make room for what is now Tropicana Field.
Welch also said the city is developing more than 200 affordable housing units, with more than 800 in the planning stages. Rents in St. Petersburg have risen faster in recent years than many places.
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