71-Unit Affordable Housing Project Breaks Ground In St. Pete: SPHA

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Housing Authority broke ground Tuesday on a new affordable housing complex at the site of the former Edward White Hospital, according to a news release.

The multi-story 121,000-square-foot building at 2323 9th Ave. N. will feature 71 apartments for low-income seniors, as well as professional office space.

SPHA will move its administrative offices to the development, which has been dubbed the Edward White Campus.

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"Who knew that a former medical hospital that sat dormant for 10 years would create partnerships that would like for us to breathe life into its walls," Michael Lundy, president and CEO of SPHA, said in a statement.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch proclaimed Tuesday to be “The Edward White Campus Groundbreaking Day.”

"It's great to see that the re-use of this facility, that's been such a part of our community for so long, will now meet a real need in our community with affordable housing for seniors,” the mayor said during the event.

U.S. Representative Kathy Castor requested $5.34 in federal funding and championed the project in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Pinellas County Community Foundation, Valley Bank, and Federal Home Loan Bank also helped provide the resources necessary to bring the project to fruition.

The campus will house three facilities, including the Gemini Senior Living Community, the SPHA central office and Evara Health, which will offer clinician services at the campus, including preventative care and chronic disease management.