Brownfield Designation Set for Pinellas Heights Development

The site was once a citrus field. Trains ran on the railroad tracks to the west.

The groves are gone, the tracks paved over for the Pinellas Trail.

Now, the 8.27-acre property near Ulmerton and Ridge roads is home to the Pinellas County Housing Authority and construction of the 153-unit Pinellas Heights affordable senior housing complex.

Because of the site’s history and perception of environmental contamination, city leaders unanimously approved designating the area a brownfield site Tuesday.

The designation allows certain tax incentives and credits to developers Norstar Development USA, LP and the Pinellas County Housing Authority.

Brownfield sites typically are abandoned, idle, or underused industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment can be complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

Evidence of contamination is not a requirement for the state's brownfield designation and having it does not mean that a property is contaminated.

The complex broke ground in November 2012 and is expected to be complete in summer 2014.

Mayor Pat Gerard asked about applying for the designation although work already has started on the $24 million, nearly 150,000-square-foot building.

“Does this help the construction that is currently happening,” she asked.

It does, said Michael Goldstein, an attorney representing developers.

“The fact that we already started construction, is helpful,” he said.

Commissioner Curtis Holmes asked about the tax incentives.

The designation would allow the developer tax incentives including $2,500 for each new job created, loan guarantees, a sales tax rebate on building materials and an expedited review of some technical documents.

About 200 construction jobs are expected to be created because of the 18-month construction project. But they are not new jobs, which is a standard as part of the tax incentive.

Developers are more interested in tax credits offered for construction materials, Goldstein said.

Related coverage:

• Pinellas Heights Developers Ask for Brownfield Designation
• Plans for Senior Apartments Move Forward

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