Skip to Main Content
01/15/2026

SPHA IN THE NEWS: St. Petersburg Housing Authority Expresses Interest in Gas Plant District Redevelopment

Concept art of a redeveloped Gas Plant District by ARK Ellison Horus.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) has expressed interest in partnering on redevelopment efforts for the Historic Gas Plant District that expand affordable housing opportunities in the city.

SPHA IN THE NEWS:

The City of St. Petersburg opened the submission window on January 4, 2026, allowing redevelopment teams to submit competing proposals through 10 a.m. on February 3. The process was prompted by an unsolicited proposal from ARK Ellison Horus, a locally led development team made up of ARK Investment Management, Ellison Development, and Horus Construction.

The proposal from ARK Ellison Horus outlines a $6.8 billion vision for the Historic Gas Plant District that includes nearly 2,000 affordable, workforce, and senior housing units, along with cultural institutions, retail space, and community amenities. The proposal is designed to move forward with or without a Major League Baseball stadium, depending on future decisions involving the Tampa Bay Rays.

As part of its proposed affordable housing strategy, ARK Ellison Horus secured letters of interest from multiple housing partners. The letters signal intent to collaborate if the city selects ARK Ellison Horus' proposal.

SPHA signed a letter of interest expressing its willingness to collaborate with ARK Ellison Horus on expanding affordable housing opportunities as part of the Gas Plant District redevelopment.

"The St. Petersburg Housing Authority welcomes the opportunity to work on projects that expand access to affordable housing in the City of St. Petersburg," said SPHA President and CEO Michael Lundy.

"The St. Petersburg Housing Authority was part of the Gas Plant District's history through our past ownership and management of the Laurel Park housing community. We would welcome the opportunity to once again be a part of the Gas Plant District and play a meaningful role in its future," said Lundy.

Laurel Park was built in the 1940's and purchased by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority in 1966. It consisted of 168 residential units.

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 and homeownership. SPHA remains committed to partnering with organizations and stakeholders whose efforts align with this mission and support the long-term housing needs of our community.

 

 

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.