Some St. Pete seniors pay $300 at new development

An embattled affordable housing development for low-income seniors in West St. Petersburg opened in the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes. It is now fully occupied.

Rents at Bear Creek Commons begin at $256. A Wednesday afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony ended with residents expressing gratitude for city officials helping the long-planned project overcome several hurdles.

After the event, Mayor Ken Welch said their appreciation underscores the city’s need for housing solutions. He noted the extensive public-private partnerships that made the project possible “have always realized that” despite public opposition.

“You can’t look at this and tell me it doesn’t uplift the neighborhood,” Welch said. “This is meeting a critical need.”

Bear Creek Commons is at 635 64th St. S. and features a game room, art hall, gazebo and on-site support staff.

Welch believes the city could “do a lot more of this” with proven partners in Pinellas County government and housing developers like Blue Sky Communities. Bear Creek Commons features 85 one-and-two-bedroom apartments for households earning less than 80% of the area median income (AMI), or $53,520 for one person.

However, Blue Sky has reserved five units for those earning just 22% of the AMI. That equates to $16,608 annually for a two-person household. Bear Creek also offers 13 homes for those earning up to 30% of the AMI, 48 at 60% and 19 at 80%.

Rents range from $256 to $1,295 for a one-bedroom, energy-efficient unit. Residents pay between $310 and $1,557 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in a modern development.

Welch called that “truly affordable housing.” Councilmember Copley Gerdes, whose District 1 encompasses 635 64^th St. S., echoed that sentiment.

“There is no ‘what is affordable for who’ question,” Gerdes told the Catalyst. “That is affordable housing.”

The site formerly housed Grace Connection Church. Scott Macdonald, executive vice president of Blue Sky, noted the St. Petersburg-based firm encountered challenges immediately after announcing its plans for the property in early 2020.

Macdonald said neighboring residents protested the project “with pitchforks.” They believed it would lower property values and disrupt the neighborhood’s character.

In 2021, the Community Planning and Preservation Commission voted 6-1 in opposition to Bear Creek. “There was a tough NIMBY (not in my backyard) battle that waged here,” Macdonald said.

He believes the finished project, aided by the city council and two mayoral administration’s support, has proved those fears were unfounded.

Gerdes credited former Mayor Rick Kriseman and Councilmember Robert Blackmon – the area’s former representative – for moving Bear Creek forward despite the public outcry. He called the project “the right thing in the right place.”

Macdonald said Carteret Management Corporation filled 85 units in 25 days following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. He called the property management company’s efforts “truly remarkable” and said there was “no time that was needed more.”

Jimmy Maher, a resident, became emotional as he discussed how the developments impacted his life. He is no longer bouncing from place to place with family and thanked Blue Sky representatives by name. “I’m living back home again,” he said.

Myriad stakeholders celebrated the project opening nearly five years after it was first announced.

According to U.S. census data, nearly 20% of St. Petersburg’s roughly 270,000 residents are 65 and older. Studies have shown that one in four seniors nationwide rely on Social Security benefits that cover about 68% of living expenses.

“We want seniors to age in place,” Welch said. “And, if not in their own home, to move into something like this. It’s a nice place where they can age with dignity, and I think that’s what we should want for all our seniors.”

Pinellas County Commissioners approved issuing up to $12.5 million in Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds for the estimated $25 million project in March 2023. City officials contributed $4.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The city utilized $2 million of its Penny for Pinellas proceeds to purchase the land and ensure perpetual affordability. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Raymond James and the Pinellas County Housing Finance Authority also helped see the project to fruition.

Gerdes, like Welch, said local leaders could “absolutely” create similar projects through public-private partnerships. He also believes West St. Pete provides an ideal location.

“The further you get away from downtown, the less expensive it is to live,” Gerdes said. “But nobody is going to be able to do it alone.”

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