St. Petersburg Housing Authority Welcomes Construction Mentorship Program in Jordan Park
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (JULY 23, 2025) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) has welcomed a new construction-focused mentorship program for SPHA youth in Jordan Park.
On July 16, 2025, Okoye Morgan, owner of Rock Solid Construction & Development, Inc., returned to Jordan Park to introduce the Rock Solid Protégé Mentorship Program. Morgan's company was part of the redevelopment of the Jordan Park community, and now he's back to help inspire the next generation of builders and entrepreneurs. During his visit, Morgan spoke with SPHA youth about entrepreneurship and shared details about what the mentorship program offers.
At the heart of the program is the Summer Construction Camp, a hands-on, empowering experience designed to introduce teens to the world of construction, architecture, engineering, and business through mentorship, creativity, and skill-building.
Summer Construction Camp Details:
- Dates: July 21 - July 31, 2025 Monday through Thursday (2 weeks)
- Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Location: The Legacy at Jordan Park, 2350 9th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
- For students entering grades 8-12
As part of the camp, students will:
- Work closely with professionals in the trades and business fields
- Engage in 12 themed sessions combining hands-on projects and interactive learning
- Explore leadership, teamwork, financial literacy, and career pathways
- Receive a small stipend for their participation as student protégés
This camp is ideal for students who:
- Enjoy working with their hands
- Are curious about building, design, and construction
- Like solving problems and thinking creatively
- Want to be mentored by professionals invested in their success
"This mentorship program brings opportunity and purpose to our youth," said Michael Lundy, President and CEO of SPHA. "We are proud to partner with Rock Solid Construction and grateful to Mr. Okoye Morgan for investing his time and talent back into Jordan Park."
The program is being coordinated by Kiara Lovett, SPHA's Director of Social Services. "We're excited to be offering our SPHA youth this amazing opportunity," said Lovett. "This is a truly unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in a supportive, inspiring environment."
One of the featured camp projects is building birdhouses, which will be donated to a bird sanctuary. This hands-on project helps youth develop practical skills while giving back to the community.
Learn More:
For more information about the Rock Solid Protégé Mentorship Program, contact SocialServices@StPeteHA.org.
SPHA is the leading affordable housing provider in the city of St. Petersburg, serving more than 4,000 low-income households. SPHA's mission is to provide safe, sanitary, accessible, decent, and affordable housing to eligible citizens of the city of St. Petersburg, while enhancing and promoting resident self-sufficiency.
Youth participating in Summer Construction Camp on July 23, 2025.
SPHA youth inside The Legacy at Jordan Park on July 16, 2025.
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ABOUT JORDAN PARK:
Jordan Park is a historic housing community managed by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA). It is known for being St. Petersburg's first African American housing community. It was originally built between 1939 and 1941.
On November 23, 2021, SPHA received approval from HUD for its Jordan Park redevelopment proposal, which would change the funding structure from Public Housing to Project-Based Vouchers and put the long-awaited community revitalization project into motion. The Jordan Park Redevelopment Project consisted of the following elements:
- Transitioning the Jordan Park family apartments (206 units) from Public Housing to a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) funding platform.
- Renovation of the 206 Family Units (i.e. new flooring, countertops, cabinets, washers and dryers in units, safety features, energy-efficiency improvements, etc.)
- Construction of a new three-story, 60-unit senior midrise building (for households 62 years and older) named "The Legacy at Jordan Park."
On December 14, 2021, SPHA closed on Jordan Park in partnership with co-developer Norstar Development USA, LP, and with the investment of Fannie Mae, KeyBank, and RBC Community Investments. Partners also included the bond issuer, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the City of St. Petersburg, which provided Community Redevelopment Area funding.
On October 27, 2023, SPHA held the grand opening of The Legacy at Jordan Park. SPHA also celebrated the completion of the surrounding newly renovated 206 Jordan Park Family Units.
ABOUT ROCK SOLID CONSTRUCTION:
Rock Solid Construction & Development Inc. offers a wide range of construction services, from complete building construction to remodeling and renovation. For more information, visit https://rocksolidconstructionusa.com.
ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY (SPHA):
An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.
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