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Moffitt remains committed to bringing cancer center to Pinellas
Exactly one year ago, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch rejected the joint proposal from Moffitt and its partners to build a mixed-used development at the 800 Block of 1st Avenue S.
City leaders say Moffitt may still open a local cancer center.
During a Wednesday Public Services and Infrastructure Committee meeting, City Development Administrator James Corbett said Moffitt executives and the city development team had multiple informal conversations about a potential center.
“We are working towards it [an agreement]. I wouldn’t say we are expecting one, but they are still very interested in being in this area,” he said, responding to a question from committee member Ed Montanari.
“Moffitt remains dedicated to finding a site in Pinellas County to offer greater access for current and new patients. We have not submitted a letter of intent, bid or application for the 800 block in St. Petersburg,” a Moffitt spokeswoman confirmed via email.
A rendering of Moffitt’s previously planned campus in St. Petersburg. Image: City of St. Petersburg records.
Welch scrapped the initial plans for a state-of-the-art cancer center and residential complex at 800 1st Ave. S. despite the Community Benefits Advisory Committee’s push to move it forward amid negotiations.
Moffitt and the TPA Group were offering $5 million offer for the 4.59-acre site, valued at $24 million. The team’s plan called for a 75,000-square-foot cancer center connected to a 30-story residential tower with limited affordable housing units, a potential 14-story hotel and a parking garage.
While city officials openly spoke in favor of a cancer center as residents wouldn’t have to cross the bridge for Moffitt’s services, the monetary offer and limited affordable housing led to the ultimate denial of the combined plan.
Earlier this year, various real estate groups have submitted bids for different sections of the 800 Block site, proposing to build other mixed-use developments and affordable housing.
However, the city may not accept an offer anytime soon for the property some describe as the “front door to the Historic Gas Plant development.”
“The future use of the site will be determined following negotiations on the neighboring Gas Plant [redevelopment],” Economic and Workforce Development Director Brian Caper said while presenting an overview of the latest city-led projects.
He explained the city is in a “wait and see mode” for the property, which is currently used as surface parking lot.
Caper said the area could be used for staging purposes as development progresses for the Gas Plant and the property, and could later sell at fair market value.
Harold DEAN
August 15, 2023at10:46 am
By rejecting Moffitt Mayor Welch has deprived all his constituents of the opportunity to be treated locally by one of. the foremost centers in the country. A mayor should benefit his constituents not deprive them.
Ryan Todd
August 12, 2023at5:57 pm
What a bunch of trash and a wasted opportunity by Ken Welch. And let’s be honest: Welch didn’t reject Moffitt because of the cake of the offer or for the affordable housing. The Rays’ plan for the Trop site makes it clear that Welch doesn’t actually care about affordable housing. All Welch cares about is retaining the Rays and making the same poor decision that was made decades ago when the Trop was built.
Recall Welch!
HAL FREEDMAN
August 12, 2023at2:38 pm
Boy, do I agree with Alan DeLisle. Turning down Moffitt for that property is like turning down an Apple Store in a shopping center, because they want a below-market rent. The business and economic impact driven by having Moffitt downtown has a lot of value that has nothing to do with the value of the land. Big mistake!
Alan DeLisle
August 12, 2023at5:42 am
You never pass on a project like this hoping it will come around again. St. Pete lost something special.