City Council OKs request from developer expected to bring Whole Foods to St. Pete
April 8, 2021 - A developer planning what is expected to be the city's first Whole Foods Market will be able to control a small grassy patch of land near the project. The St. Petersburg City Council voted unanimously Thursday to vacate - or give up the city's interest in - the 2,700-square-foot parcel on the north side of 39th Avenue North between 3rd Street North and 38th Avenue North. Zag Enterprise Holdings and Sunrise Plaza Holdings wanted control of the land for the redevelopment of a commercial center currently at the site. Documents filed with the city said the redevelopment will include an organic grocery store, which is widely speculated to be Whole Foods, although the developer has not confirmed the identity of the prospective tenant. Jay Miller, president of J Square Developers and a representative for Zag and Sunrise Plaza, told council members that the triangular-shaped land is the front door to what will be an $18 million project and the tenant wants to make sure it presents a good first impression.