66 new affordable housing units coming to St. Pete
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Mar 7, 2024

Blue Sky Communities has broken ground on Skyway Lofts II, an affordable housing complex that will bring 66 units to St. Petersburg.

The project is a collaboration between Blue Sky Communities, the city of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County and the Pinellas County HFA.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 6 and was attended by Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, County Commissioners Charlie Justice and Rene Flowers, City Council Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders and Vice-Chair Copley Gerdes and Scott Macdonald of Blue Sky Communities.

“We celebrate the groundbreaking of Skyway Lofts II, a critical addition to the housing inventory in St. Petersburg, and extend our gratitude to Blue Sky Communities for their commitment to expanding this property,” Welch said. “Our intentional investment in affordable housing units is demonstrated by our significant financial support in this project, which plays a pivotal role in the City’s Housing Opportunities for All Plan.”

The new $26.8 million development is located at 3800 34th St. S. Once complete, the community — along with Phase I, which opened in 2022 — will feature a total of 131 units. The community will be reserved for those making 80% of the area median income or less, which is approximately $46,000 for an individual.

Prices for the units will range from $358 per month for a one-bedroom unit for the lowest income residents up to $1,807 per month for a three-bedroom apartment for those earning up to 80% AMI.

The new phase of the project features a four-story midrise building and is expected to be completed in 2025. The units will be divided into 33 one-bedroom apartments, 27 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units.

Amenities will include an outdoor play area, a library with a computer area, a fitness center, a club room and bike parking.

According to the county, residents of the current Skyway Lofts apartments work in the Pinellas County Schools, various health care companies and other retail and service jobs.

“These apartments will provide more quality homes for people who work in our schools, hospitals and nursing homes, restaurants and many other businesses,” Justice said. “We want to build a community in Pinellas where our longtime residents aren’t just making ends meet but are actually thriving. We want to build a future where our kids can afford to stay in their hometown.”