City of St. Petersburg Celebrates Historical Affordable and Workforce Housing Groundbreaking

City of St. Petersburg Celebrates Historical Affordable and Workforce Housing Groundbreaking Developed on Industrially-Zoned Land

Feb. 4, 2026 - Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City staff, and county leaders joined housing partners to break ground on Fairfield Avenue Apartments, a 264-unit affordable and workforce housing development near St. Petersburg's Warehouse Arts District. The project represents a significant milestone in the City's ongoing efforts to expand housing options for residents across a wide range of income levels.

First proposed in early 2022, Fairfield Avenue Apartments made local history when St. Petersburg became the first city in Florida to approve an affordable housing development under 2021 state legislation allowing residential projects on industrially-zoned land. The project has since become a model for how cities can creatively unlock new sites for housing.

"Once again, St. Pete is leading the way in implementing innovative, affordable housing solutions," said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. "We are proud to be the first city in the state to approve affordable housing development on industrially-zoned land and we are even more proud that this is our largest affordable housing project to date. One of the most urgent challenges facing our city is access to safe, affordable housing, and today, we took an important step forward in our ongoing commitment to housing opportunities for all. I want to thank City staff, Senator Brandes, and our partners for their efforts in making this project a reality."

Located on a 6.9-acre site at 3300 Fairfield Avenue South, the development is being built on land formerly home to the Tibbetts Lumber Company, a family business founded in the 1970s by Linton Tibbetts. The site was acquired for approximately $6.2 million by Fairfield Avenue Apartments LLC, an entity affiliated with St. Petersburg-based HP Capital Group and former Florida Senator Jeff Brandes.

"Fairfield Avenue Apartments represents both a deeply personal legacy and a forward-looking commitment to St. Petersburg's future," said Nick Hansen, a partner with H. P. Capital Group. "Transforming a site that once supported local industry into housing that supports working families is incredibly meaningful. This project shows what's possible when cities, counties and private partners come together to create long-term affordability and opportunity for the people who make this community thrive."

The community will include a mix of unit sizes designed to serve individuals and families, including:

• 74 one-bedroom units

• 162 two-bedroom units

• 28 three-bedroom units

Affordability will span multiple income levels, with:

• 53 units reserved for households earning at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI)

• 67 units for households earning up to 80% AMI

• 144 units for households earning up to 120% AMI

The approximately $94.2 million development is financed through a combination of public and private sources, including $9.7 million of South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) funding from the City of St. Petersburg, funding from Pinellas County, a HUD 221(d)(4) construction loan, and developer equity. The property will be leased through a trust with the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, ensuring a 99-year affordability commitment. Upon completion, the Pinellas County Housing Authority will own and manage the apartments.

"Pinellas County is committed to filling financial gaps for projects like Fairfield Avenue Apartments because we know stable, affordable homes are essential for our workforce and families who want to remain in the communities where they live and work," said Pinellas County Commission Vice-Chair Chris Latvala.

"Our mission at the Pinellas County Housing Authority is to provide quality, affordable housing and improve the lives of residents," said Neil Brickfield, Executive Director of the Pinellas County Housing Authority. "The Fairfield Avenue Apartments groundbreaking marks the beginning of that mission taking shape in a very real way - transforming plans into progress and creating the foundation for new homes, stronger neighborhoods, and long-term opportunity. This project reflects our commitment to investing in communities, expanding housing access, and building a future where more residents can thrive in Pinellas County."

Fairfield Avenue Apartments will offer a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, meeting rooms, computer labs, a bike corral and repair workshop, playgrounds, picnic areas, and extensive bike parking.

Construction is expected to continue through mid- to late-2028. A full list of affordable housing projects is available on the City's website: https://www.stpete.org/housingopportunitiesforall.