Grants available in South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area
By Josh Solomon
Tampa Bay Times
Published:

ST. PETERSBURG - City officials are soliciting applications from businesses within the South St. Pete Community Redevelopment Area for matching grants for building improvements.

The Commercial Site Improvement grants, which are up to $20,000, can be used for nearly anything on the inside or outside of a business, like air conditioning, fire alarms, lighting, roofing, paint or facade work, said Urban Affairs Director Nikki Capehart.

"All types of things that would increase the overall value of the business and potentially the look of the corridors that they're on and attract more business,” Capehart said.

It works like this: Businesses that are accepted have to pay for the work. Then, the city will reimburse businesses with half the cost of the project, up to the $20,000 maximum.

There's a greater allowance for work done on historic buildings. In that case, the city will reimburse up to $40,000 on qualified projects.

"We're trying to incentivize renovation of historically designated properties,” said Rick Smith, the redevelopment area's director.

To be accepted, businesses must be within the redevelopment area's boundaries, which is generally located between Fourth Street and 49th streets from Second Avenue N to 30th Avenue S.

The city is especially targeting businesses along three corridors: 18th Avenue S east of 34th Street, 16th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

The city is allocating about $400,000 for the grants. The money is coming from tax revenue generated within the redevelopment area.

Applications are due by Feb. 11 to the Greenhouse, at 440 Second Ave. N, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is a $35 application fee.

JOSH SOLOMON St. Petersburg City Hall and Pinellas Courts Reporter