Community Benefits

The Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership and the Tampa Bay Rays have committed $50 million to intentional equity initiatives in association with the South St. Petersburg community.

• Housing: $15 million is dedicated to existing City of St. Petersburg programs that support housing opportunities at a wide range of affordability levels.

• Small Business: $13 million is dedicated to support business incubation, ownership, and placement opportunities on the site, with a focus on minority/women-owned businesses and current South St. Petersburg residents and businesses.

• Employment: $3.75 million is committed to internships and mentorship/apprentice programs leading to job placement during the construction phase, and small business ownership and employment opportunities during the ongoing operation of the site.

• Education: $17.5 million is dedicated to financial investments in support of currently operating educational programs in South St. Petersburg, from daycare and early learning through postsecondary, vocational, technical and STEM programs. As part of the project’s commitment to education, youth development and the arts, the proposed Booker Music Hall venue will be realized. The investment also integrates community, cultural and civic uses including the construction of the new Woodson African American Museum.

• Outreach: $750,000 will fund outreach that brings the community together through a thoughtful, inclusive process including online tools, public town halls, community and youth steering committees. A welcome center will also be erected on the site to serve as a resource for local residents and businesses to connect to opportunities.

The Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership will also honor the legacy of the Historic Gas Plant Site by working with the community to name components of the project to incorporate historic mementos, art and design features including new connections and enhancements to the African American Heritage Trail.

• Supplier Diversity: $500 million is committed to diverse hiring and supplier contracts for the construction of this project, with an overall goal of 30% for the entire term of the project.