The City of St. Petersburg took a decisive step on Nov. 3 by recording two deeds that transfer portions of the former police headquarters site to the developers behind The Central. The documents, filed in Pinellas County records, move the project past a long‑standing bottleneck and lay out clear expectations for the next phase of construction.
Deeds and agreements
One deed conveys roughly one‑third of an acre to OS Hotel LLC, the entity slated to develop the planned hotel. The second deed transfers the parcel that includes the already‑completed seven‑story parking garage to OS Parking Sub LLC. Both deeds were signed by City Administrator Robert Gerdes.
Alongside the deeds, the city and EDGE Central Development Partners executed a 28‑page post‑closing agreement. The agreement spells out the developer’s remaining construction obligations and the city’s remedies if those obligations are not met. Under the terms, the developer must finish the office tower, retail space and 42 workforce apartments by Jan. 1, 2030, unless an extension is granted.
Financial terms
The agreement sets a base purchase price of $6.4 million, subject to credits negotiated as part of the redevelopment. It also provides for a city purchase‑money mortgage of up to $4 million to support the project’s financing.
If the developer fails to meet certain milestones, the contract includes financial penalties, including a potential $1 million payment to the city for incomplete office improvements. The city also retains enforcement tools tied to the workforce housing component, such as reserving at least five apartments for eligible city employees.
Project background
The EDGE site, located at 1301 Central Avenue, spans roughly 2.1 acres and has been in development discussions since 2019. Originally branded “Orange Station,” the plan evolved into a $200 million mixed‑use project featuring a 15‑story Marriott Autograph Collection hotel with 168 rooms, an office tower named Halcyon, restaurants, retail space and 42 workforce apartments.
A public courtyard honoring the Courageous 12—Black St. Petersburg police officers who fought for equal treatment in the 1960s—will be part of the development, reflecting the city’s commitment to its heritage.
Recent progress and challenges
The parking garage, a 540‑space structure, opened in June 2025 and was celebrated by city officials and developer Casey Ellison. In July 2025, ARK Invest announced it would occupy the top floor of the planned Halcyon office tower, signaling strong tenant interest.
Despite these signs of momentum, the project has faced setbacks, including a legal dispute among partners. Backstreets Capital filed a lawsuit alleging delays in office and residential construction, but the case was voluntarily dismissed in March without prejudice, leaving the possibility of future filings.
Next steps
The newly recorded deeds and post‑closing agreement give the city a clear mechanism to enforce the developer’s timeline and protect the promised workforce housing. While the agreement does not confirm that financing for the remaining construction is secured, it establishes a framework for the city to act if obligations are not met.
The city and EDGE Central Development Partners have not responded to requests for additional details on financing or a revised construction schedule at the time of publication.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
