Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary moves closer to completion

Palm Lake Christian Church, Newstar Development and Pinellas County Housing Authority representatives came together today at a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary (PLUS) community. 

The development, located at 5401 22nd Avenue N. in the Disston Heights neighborhood, will offer 86 one-and two-bedroom apartments; 15% of the units will be reserved for households earning 30% of the Area Median Income. The remainder will be for families and individuals who earn up to 80% of the AMI. 

Construction on the project began in the summer of 2025, Newstar Development president Brian Evjen told the Catalyst. He hopes that it is completed by the end of the year. 

PLUS will be located on underutilized land on church property. 

Former Palm Lake Christian Church leaders discussed creating affordable housing initiatives as far back as the 1960s, pastor Oscar Banks explained. Burlington Tower, a senior housing complex in St. Petersburg, was conceived by a coalition of faith-based organizations including Palm Lake. 

“This is just a continuation of the legacy that the church has always been a part of,” he said. “My hope is that it becomes a spearhead for other communities of faith – allowing them to also build housing on their spaces for the people who want to work and live in this community.” 

While Palm Lake will retain ownership of the land, Evjen explained, the building will be owned by a partnership entity created by the church, Newstar Development, the Pinellas County Housing Authority and Bank of America. 

Newstar has an affiliate management company, Norstar Accolade Property Management, that will oversee the apartments for the first two years after construction is complete. Following this commitment, the Pinellas County Housing Authority will have an option to take over management. 

The PLUS community is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. Rendering: Pi Architects.

The initiative is the first to be approved since a City of St. Petersburg ordinance, No. 485-H, was created in relation to Florida House Bill 1339. This legislation allows local governments to authorize the building of affordable housing developments on residential, commercial or industrially-zoned land. 

Zoned in a neighborhood suburban district, only single-family residences initially could be constructed on the Palm Lake Christian Church property. 

Community engagement discussions for PLUS began in 2022. The City approved a plan for the project the following year. 

“Not all of the neighbors were supportive,” Evjen said. “Some of them thought having affordable housing might decrease their property values and increase traffic around the neighborhood. Our hope is that it blends in and these residents become contributing members of this community.” 

He added that PLUS is a family development. Amenities include a playground and garden. 

Bank of America contributed low-income housing tax credit equity and construction and permanent loans for the project. Additionally, Pinellas County HOME Investment Partnerships Program, State Housing Initiatives Partnership and Community Development Block Grant funds were allocated for the effort. 

Low-income tax credits were also provided through Florida Housing Finance Corporation and Pinellas County Housing Authority funds.  

“When we’re done, 86 families are not going to have the stress of wondering where they’re going to live,” said Pinellas County Housing Authority executive director Neil Brickfield. “We find partnering with the Palm Lake Christian Church on this project ideal for our values and theirs.” 

To learn more about the PLUS community, visit this link.