SPHA Celebrates Youth Graduates of Summer Construction Camp in Jordan Park
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) celebrated the youth graduating from its Summer Construction Camp on July 31, 2025, at The Legacy at Jordan Park.
The camp was part of the Rock Solid Protégé Mentorship Program, led by Mr. Okoye Morgan, owner of Rock Solid Construction & Development, Inc.
Mr. Morgan's company was part of the redevelopment of the Jordan Park community. He returned to Jordan Park because he wanted to help inspire the next generation of builders and entrepreneurs.
The Summer Construction Camp gave SPHA youth the opportunity to:
- Gain hands-on trade skills like measuring, cutting, assembling, and using tools safely
- Work alongside industry professionals in construction, engineering, and business
- Learn leadership, teamwork, and financial literacy while exploring real career pathways
This initiative provided youth with practical skills, career exposure, and personal development opportunities.
SPHA extends its thanks to Mr. Okoye Morgan.
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.