St. Petersburg to sell part of former Moffitt Cancer Center land
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The St. Petersburg City Council has officially approved the sale of 1. 5 acres of city-owned land located at 298 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street S to developer Third Lake Partners for a negotiated price of $10 million.
This parcel was initially planned for a Moffitt Cancer Center campus but was rejected by Mayor Ken Welch due to concerns about insufficient affordable housing. The new development proposed by Third Lake Partners is expected to be a mixed-use project that could incorporate residential, commercial, and hospitality components. Despite the city's optimism about the deal, critics have expressed concerns regarding the lack of affordable housing in this new proposal, suggesting that the decision reflects a double standard in the city's development policies. Public speaker Jason Spitzer highlighted the inconsistency, questioning why the previous Moffitt project was deemed unacceptable while this new deal is viewed favorably. City officials maintain that this sale will ultimately benefit taxpayers by eliminating a burdensome lease from 1987.
The land’s strategic location near the planned $1. 3 billion Tampa Bay Rays stadium makes it a significant asset for future development. The ongoing discussions highlight the complexities of urban development and the balancing act between economic growth and community needs.