Belleair Development Group is moving forward with a purchase agreement for the former Wagon Wheel Flea Market property, a 150‑acre parcel that includes wetlands and largely undeveloped land in unincorporated Pinellas County, Florida. The site, once the region’s largest flea market, closed in March 2020 and has remained vacant ever since.
Developer’s vision and local ties
Christian Yepes, co‑owner of Belleair Development Group with his father Carlos, said the family’s long‑standing connection to the area informs its approach. \”I have fond memories of taking my kids to the market when it was thriving,\” Yepes said. \”I live and work very close by, and I drive by the site at least once a day.\”
Yepes emphasized that the company is considering a range of uses that complement each other, but he ruled out data centers. \”With 150 acres, you’ve got a lot of options. We’re looking at the right mix, the right ratios, and the best fit for that type of property,\” he explained.
Due‑diligence and regulatory coordination
Belleair Development Group is conducting extensive due‑diligence, including traffic and geotechnical studies, to determine slope conditions, parking needs and density possibilities. The developers are also engaging with the City of Pinellas Park, Pinellas County officials and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to ensure compliance with zoning and environmental requirements.
According to Yepes, the annexation process has already begun. \”We’re making sure we turn over every stone and do our due diligence. We’re starting the annexation process and working through the appropriate zoning categories to make sure everything is compliant and conducive to developing the property as it should be,\” he said.
Addressing rumors and site history
Social‑media rumors have suggested that parts of the parcel were once a landfill, potentially limiting development. While the claim has not been officially verified, Yepes acknowledged that construction debris was buried on the site at one point and that the team is investigating the extent of that material. \”We’re quite literally digging in to figure out what’s there and what’s not there,\” he said.
The property’s history dates back to 1966 when Hardy Huntley opened a roadside fix‑it stand on four acres. Over the decades, the market expanded to include more than 1,500 vendors, and the Huntley family later acquired the nearby Mustang Flea Market. A 2020 TBN Weekly story noted that the land had been used as a dump for appliances, wood and tree stumps, though not for typical municipal garbage.
Next steps
While no specific timeline has been set, Belleair Development Group plans to complete its due‑diligence phase, finalize zoning and annexation approvals, and then determine the most viable development concept. Potential options could include a mix of retail, office, residential and community spaces that serve the surrounding neighborhoods.
\”Our primary objective right now is to get to due diligence, figure out what we have to work with, then start putting the puzzle pieces together to determine the project that makes the most sense,\” Yepes concluded.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
