City officials celebrate South St. Pete townhomes opening 

After over four years of perseverance, a much-anticipated townhome development now provides 10 affordable homeownership opportunities for local families in a once-overlooked area. 

Shell Dash Townhome residents will have a 0% mortgage capped at $279,000. The median listing price in St. Petersburg is about $640,000. 

Several local government leaders joined Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside to celebrate the development, welcoming residents Wednesday morning with a block party. CEO Mike Sutton told the Catalyst that the event, packed with families, supporters and stakeholders, underscored the collective effort it took to reach that point. 

“When you put faces to this project, and you get to know the families, all of it’s worth it at the end of the day,” Sutton said. “All the challenges and struggles to get to the day where they get their keys – it’s worth it.” 

The property at 1120 16th Street S., about a mile south of Tropicana Field, previously consisted of weeds and trash. St. Petersburg City Council members first approved a lease agreement with a Missouri-based company to develop the neglected site in February 2021. 

Construction costs soared, and Exact Shell Dash requested additional funding in March 2022. The city provided $1.08 million from South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) coffers. 

The public-private partners broke ground on the Shell Dash Townhomes in December 2022. Construction delays hindered development, and City Administrator Rob Gerdes asked Habitat to take the reins. 

“We’re very thankful to have a partner like Habitat in our community – they’ve delivered a lot of homes over the years,” Gerdes said after the event Wednesday. “They also have such good relationships in the community to find homeowners. That’s a big part of this.” 

Sutton introduced all 10 families as his team handed them their keys. One single mother worked for the Pinellas County Housing Authority, another at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital. All had children. 

The first-time homeowners earn less than 80% of the area median income – $75,150 for a family of three. Mayor Ken Welch noted the city also provided the land.

“This project is for folks who make our city work,” Welch said. “This is about creating housing opportunities, building stronger neighborhoods … and creating long-term economic opportunity as our city changes and grows. 

“The folks who grew up here still have a place they can call home in our community, and that’s important.” 

Mayor Ken Welch noted that the local Habitat affiliate has two other projects underway in the area.

Those folks completed 38 homebuyer education classes and 350 to 450 sweat equity hours. Sutton said they also formed an “impressive” bond. 

Residents collaboratively helped build their homes and landscaped the property. They also completed classes as a group. “Guess what, ya’ll: We did it,” one homeowner announced gleefully to his new neighbors. 

“There’s an immediate respect there,” Sutton said. “It’s going to be amazing to see them all grow together.” 

Residents, who will no longer endure continuous rent hikes, receive a Bible and a hammer to symbolize their work. Kids Pedal Power provided children with bicycles, and multiple other community partners ensured the homes had food and essentials. 

Welch noted Habitat’s work will continue in the area. The Grove will also provide 10 affordable homeownership opportunities on formerly city-owned property on 18th Avenue S., less than a mile from Shell Dash. 

Sutton said the Grove will welcome residents by the end of 2025. Habitat will break ground on Pelican Place and its 44 affordable townhomes “very shortly.” The two CRA projects sit less than a quarter of a mile apart. 

Councilmember Gina Driscoll also expressed gratitude for the organization and excitement for the next celebration. She recalled the Shell Dash site as a vacant lot and how the groundbreaking ceremony “feels like forever ago.” 

“This event makes a big statement about what can happen when the city and a partner like Habitat persevere through the ups and downs to really get something done,” Driscoll added. “It’s because we all believe in it.” 

The celebration was packed with St. Petersburg and Pinellas County officials, community stakeholders and families.