St. Pete developers envision wellness district on 11-acre YMCA site
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Aug 11, 2022

The YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg is considering redeveloping a portion of its property in the Union Central district — a project that could spark the next wave of development off of Central Avenue.

The 11.47-acre property at 3200 First Ave. S is currently home to the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA and includes a gym, indoor pool, soccer fields and rock climbing facility. Tim Staley, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, told the Tampa Bay Business Journal five finalists are vying to redevelop the site; those finalists will present to a YMCA committee in early October.

One of the finalist proposals comes from a joint venture of Eastman Equity, led by Jonathan Daou, and Blake Investment Partners, led by Blake Whitney Thompson. Both developers are based in St. Petersburg.

Thompson told the Business Journal they are the only local developers among the finalists.

“The YMCA’s underlying beliefs and community-focused mission means this project is not about 100% maximizing profits. It’s about building a whole new community node,” Thompson said. “I’ve partnered with Jonathan Daou from Eastman, and he did the Edge district and has made the most walkable and pedestrian part of the city. I’ve invested in the Grand Central district. We have the institutional experience and institutional capital to make this project happen and want to make this a very hip, funky node just like we have in the past.”

They plan to create a themed “node” that is centered around the YMCA. The YMCA would remain the center of the development, and the remaining property would be a health and wellness-focused neighborhood. Thompson said everything they have planned would complement the YMCA, and they would ensure that those in their buildings have memberships to the YMCA to take advantage of their programming.

The developers are considering naming the development “The Village” and will develop a variety of commercial space that matches the theme. For example, they may have an athletic shoe store, plant-based restaurants and a focus on families and outdoor activities. He said they not only have local tenants but national tenants that are “excited about coming here.”

“This 11-plus acres is probably one of the largest contiguous properties in St. Petersburg. They have the ability to use the excess land, and when they upgrade their facilities, you’ll have a world-class YMCA with a whole neighborhood built around it. I think this will allow them to thrive. You’ve got Beach Drive at one end of Central Avenue, downtown, the Edge, the Grand Central district and now you have this property. This could be the last opportunity to program a new neighborhood along Central.”

Thomson said the SunRunner stop directly in front of the YMCA will also help connect the development to the rest of the city. He believes the YMCA looking to develop the vacant parcels will “spark a fire” in the neighboring communities.

Potential zoning changes around the SunRunner stops could allow for an increase in density allowed on the site, opening the door to unique residential development opportunities.

Thompson said they are proposing more than 200 residential units for the site; at least 60 will be designated for workforce housing.

The entire development team is comprised of Thompson, Daou, Tim Clemmons of Place Architecture, Jenny Miers as AIA Principal, Holly Garcia as owners representative, David Flanagan of Kimley Horn as master planner, Mat Walker of George F. Young as civil engineer, Kelly Rayburn of Greystar as property manager and Kristine Retetagos of Kast Construction as general contractor.

Thompson said one thing that separates their team is that everyone involved has a history with the YMCA in St. Pete. He grew up learning to swim there and has “deep pride” in having the opportunity to potentially work with the Gills family and the board of directors. It’s an institution in St. Pete, and a beloved one at that, Thompson said. He believes a focus on connectivity and the unique attributes of the YMCA could transform the site into a “new district” for the community.

“It is special that our team will not only get a chance to design and develop this project ... but we are the only competitor that will get to enjoy it, seeing as we all live, work and play here,” Thompson said.