The St. Petersburg Housing Authority and Tampa Bay Area-based affordable housing developer Blue Sky Communities are moving forward with an affordable housing project that will bring a 95-unit apartment complex to a 1.35-acre site at the intersection of 32nd Avenue North and Hartford Street in north St. Petersburg.

When it was first announced in February 2023, the Hartford project was expected to consist of 47 affordable units for seniors and families whose incomes are below the 60% area median income (AMI) threshold.

However, on February 15th the St. Pete City Council approved a zoning change that will allow higher-density housing to be built on the parcel.

According to a news release, the development will feature a combination of family and senior apartments, complemented by an outdoor recreational space for activities such as pickleball and shuffleboard. The new buildings will be constructed on land already owned by SPHA.

"The St. Petersburg Housing Authority is delighted and energized to embark on this development with Blue Sky Communities," SPHA President and CEO Michael Lundy said. "This project aligns seamlessly with our commitment to addressing the pressing need for housing in St. Petersburg."

The project will also involve renovation of a nearby SPHA property, the Saratoga Apartments at 3475 32nd Avenue North. Saratoga Apartments is an affordable family development that consists of 34 one- and two-bedroom units in two two-story residential apartment buildings.

"We are very excited to reach this milestone and begin working with the St. Petersburg Housing Authority," Blue Sky Communities Partner Scott Macdonald said. "The need for this housing in St. Petersburg is enormous."

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority serves more than 4,000 low-income households in St. Petersburg and part of their mission is to enhance and promote resident self-sufficiency.

In addition to the Hartford development, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority recently completed the Legacy at Jordan Park, a 60-unit affordable senior housing development, at 2350 9th Avenue South in south St. Pete.

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority is also working on renovating the former Ed White Hospital building at 2323 9th Avenue North in North Kenwood into 70 affordable senior housing units.

Blue Sky Communities is also a prolific affordable housing development and recently broke ground on Skyway Lofts II, a 66-unit affordable housing building in St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District. The group also built the neighboring Skyway Lofts, a 65-unit affordable housing community, which opened in 2022.

"We could not be more thrilled to pursue this development opportunity as the latest step in fulfilling our mission to provide safe, affordable housing to the residents of St. Petersburg, especially in a time of such great need," SPHA Board Chairman James Dates said. "Our board will always lend our support in this critical effort.”

A construction timeline for the Hartford Street development has not been announced.