Tampa picks developer to revamp old Army Navy Surplus in downtown

The city of Tampa has selected PMG Affordable after a request for proposal period closed for an underutilized portion of north downtown, bringing the rundown stretch one step closer to new affordable housing, commercial space and improved connectivity.

The proposal includes the redevelopment of four properties between North Tampa Street and East Ashley Drive, including the old Army Navy Surplus Store. In addition to PMG Affordable, the selected development team also includes the Tampa Housing Authority, Bank of America Community Development Company and DuCon.

The properties in the redevelopment area are owned by the city of Tampa and the Community Redevelopment Agency.

“We are still early in the development process, but it is incredibly exciting to move this vision for North Downtown Tampa forward,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “We can’t overstate the importance of workforce housing in our community. Not only will existing neighborhoods benefit from the improved connectivity, but this project will create hundreds of affordable, downtown homes for teachers, first responders, technicians, service employees and others who make our city great.”

The proposed mixed-use development includes 1,150 residential units, 70% of which will be dedicated to affordable and workforce housing. The total number of dwellings exceeds the city’s required amount, at 800, by 30%.

“PMG Affordable is honored to have been selected alongside our partners by the City of Tampa to revitalize the historic Army/Navy site,” said Dan Coakley, Principal of PMG Affordable.

“Our goal is to deliver a transformative mixed-income, mixed-use community that enhances quality of life through affordable and attainably priced housing, activated retail, and public open spaces. As planning progresses, we are committed to collaborating closely with residents and local stakeholders to ensure the project reflects the needs and priorities of North Downtown.”

The area included in the development sits directly beside the Interstate 275 on- and off-ramp adjacent to Ashley Drive, which is currently a rundown section of land. Under the proposed development, the area would be redesigned to drastically improve connectivity and pedestrian safety for the plots and surrounding neighborhoods.

PMG Affordable is a subsidiary of Property Markets Group, a national real estate development firm based in Miami. The company specializes in large and complex residential development projects in Florida, New York City and other major markets in the Southeast and Southwest U.S. The company currently has more than 4,500 housing units in its development pipeline.

The Tampa Housing Authority serves more than 60,000 families in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands, collaborating with federal and local governments and private partners to expand housing options in the Tampa area.

DuCon is a minority-owned development management firm based in Tampa and serving the Tampa Bay region. Founded in 2007, the firm specializes in affordable housing, mixed-income communities and urban redevelopment.