St. Petersburg, Fla. – The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) revealed a proposal to expand Clearview Park Apartments with a new four‑story building that would add 47 affordable senior housing units. The project, located at 3200 37th Avenue North, would raise the total number of apartments on the 3.12‑acre site from 22 to 65.
Project details and intended residents
According to SPHA President and CEO Michael Lundy, the new building would contain 39 one‑bedroom units and eight two‑bedroom units ranging from 680 to 923 square feet. The development is aimed primarily at seniors whose household income does not exceed 60% of the area’s median income, though final eligibility will depend on the financing package secured for the project.
In addition to the apartments, the design includes management offices, a meeting room, indoor bicycle storage, community activity areas on the upper floors, and a gazebo for outdoor gatherings.
Impact on existing residents
To make way for the new structure, four of the existing 22 apartments will be demolished to create road access. The remaining 18 units will undergo renovations that include new cabinets, countertops, flooring, windows, and interior painting. Residents of those 18 units will be provided temporary housing while work is underway, and SPHA says they will have the opportunity to return once construction is complete.
Four households currently living in the apartments slated for demolition will need to relocate permanently. Lundy confirmed that SPHA will coordinate these moves, subject to housing availability and eligibility, and will strive to assist affected families throughout the process.
Financing and timeline
The authority has not yet secured funding for the expansion, and the total project cost remains undetermined. SPHA hopes to obtain financing in the first quarter of 2027, which could allow construction to begin in late 2027 or early 2028. The schedule is conditional on the successful acquisition of funds.
SPHA will manage the new building after completion and is working with Trouble Creek Development, an affiliate of LEMA Construction, on the project. A general contractor has not yet been selected.
Addressing the housing shortage
Approximately 650 households are currently on the waiting list for affordable senior housing in St. Petersburg. The 47 proposed units would represent about 7% of that demand, assuming one waiting household per apartment. While the expansion will not eliminate the backlog, it provides a meaningful increase in senior housing inventory and demonstrates SPHA’s commitment to meeting the community’s needs.
SPHA serves more than 4,000 low‑income households across its various housing programs, and the Clearview Park expansion would allow the authority to increase its inventory on land it already owns, avoiding the need to acquire additional property.
Next steps
The authority’s next milestone is securing financing. Once funding is in place, SPHA will move forward with selecting a general contractor, finalizing construction sequencing, and coordinating the relocation of the four affected households.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
