St. Louis developer Subtext has 7-story, mixed-use redevelopment plan for Kennedy Boulevard
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Apr 8, 2022

A St. Louis developer wants to transform a strip of storefronts on Kennedy Boulevard into a midrise, mixed-use development with residential units over retail space and parking.

A subsidiary of Subtext Living has filed plans with the city to redevelop the block of 2117 W. Kennedy Blvd. In Subtext's plans, the retail building occupied by Jersey Mike's stays, and the remainder of the roughly 2-acre site — an assemblage of 11 parcels — will be redeveloped.

Subtext develops both student housing and market-rate multifamily projects. Its multifamily projects are developed under its Local banner; it has projects in development or under construction in Nashville and Boise, Idaho, with others in the works in Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

The Tampa project proposes 224 residential units, 9,000 square feet of amenity space and approximately 9,600 square feet of commercial space in seven stories; parking would be on the first two floors. The 9,600 square feet of commercial space includes the existing Jersey Mike's building, which is about 4,600 square feet.

Subtext is seeking several waivers from the city, including a reduction in required parking. A project of this size requires 422 spaces; Subtext proposes 325. Retail and guest parking will share spots, David Singer, an attorney representing the developer, wrote in the project narrative.

"As discussed above, this site is uniquely situated with considerable frontage along a major commercial corridor with immediate access to existing transit options, fostering the opportunity for a car-free living experience for residents, patrons and guests," Singer wrote. "The proposed parking will more than accommodate the site’s short and long-term parking needs, particularly as the prevalence of ridesharing and walkability expands in Tampa’s downtown periphery."