Pinellas Heights Developers Ask for Brownfield Designation

Developers of a 153-unit, senior apartment complex are asking Largo city leaders to designate the property near Ulmerton Road and the Pinellas Trail a brownfield.

The designation would allow tax incentives and credits to the apartment developers — Norstar Development USA, LP and the Pinellas County Housing Authority —because of perceived contamination from previous uses on the 8.27-acre parcel.

Largo city leaders vote on the designation Tuesday.

The $24-million, nearly 150,000-square-foot building will replace the mostly vacant former Greenhouse Shoppes shopping center, which at one time had a grocery store, drug store and Church’s chicken, where a small car dealership is now. It also is the site of Pinellas County Housing Authority offices.

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 jobs are expected to be created because of the 18-month construction project. The complex broke ground in November 2012 and is expected to be complete in summer 2014.

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 city would not be liable for any costs for rehabilitation to the site.

If you go:

What: Largo City Commission meeting

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7

Where: Largo City Hall, 201 Highland Ave NE

Related coverage:

• Plans for Senior Apartments Move Forward

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