DevelopmentSunday, November 15
The old St. Petersburg police headquarters site sold for $6.4 million, clearing the way for The Central
The 5AM St. Petersburg team
The long-stalled Central just cleared a major hurdle. The city executed two deeds Nov. 3 transferring portions of the former police headquarters site to companies tied to the development, and the city sold the 2.1-acre property for $6.4 million, according to deeds filed with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
The plans include a 15-story Marriott Autograph Collection hotel and 42 workforce apartments. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian will open a restaurant, and Ark Invest has announced plans to relocate its headquarters there, the developer said.
The Central by the numbers
- $6.4 million
- base purchase price for the site
- 2.1 acres
- of former police headquarters land
- 42
- workforce apartments planned
- $200 million
- for the full development
Sources: Beacon Media, St Pete Catalyst
- Deadline: office, retail and housing done by Jan. 1, 2030, unless extended
- City financing: purchase-money mortgage of up to $4 million
- Finished so far: a seven-story parking garage
- Not yet known: financing for the rest, or when work resumes
The Central has taken seven years to reach its land deal
- 2019City selects a development team for the roughly 2.1-acre site.
- Feb. 2024The Central breaks ground.
- Nov. 3City executes two deeds transferring the property.
- Nov. 4Deeds are recorded in Pinellas County's official records.
- Jan. 2030Developer must finish office, retail and housing, unless an extension is granted.
Source: St Pete Catalyst
“The Central has the potential to strengthen our local economy and contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive downtown.”
Sources: Beacon Media, St Pete Catalyst, St. Petersburg Patch