Florida Food Desert: Grocery Store Development Delays at Tangerine Plaza Spark City Council Debate

Persistent Delays in South St. Petersburg

• 📌 Residents of South St. Petersburg, living in a designated food desert, face continued delays for a promised grocery store at Tangerine Plaza.
• ⏳ Developers, The Sugar Hill Group, selected in 2020 for a mixed-use property including affordable housing and retail, are requesting an additional year and $22.3 million in public funding.

Community Impact and Frustration

• 💔 City Council rep Cory Given Jr. expresses frustration, stating the lack of a grocery store makes the community feel overlooked and undervalued.
• 📉 The last grocery store at Tangerine Plaza closed in 2017, leaving residents reliant on corner stores, impacting their quality of life and outlook.

City Council's Dilemma

• 🗓️ The developers were previously granted an 18-month extension, which is set to expire in January.
• ⚠️ The Sugar Hill Group cites delays in site plan approval as the reason for the extension request, claiming it's through no fault of their own.
• 🗣️ City administration is recommending the extension, but Councilmember Given believes it's time to explore other proposals with developers who have financing in place.
• ⚖️ The agenda item is scheduled for city council discussion, with the mayor's office stating they will evaluate the next best path for the site if the extension is not approved.