Two developers pitch competing visions for Largo’s former City Hall campus

LARGO — Two development groups have proposed sharply different visions for transforming the city’s former 14-acre municipal campus, with project costs ranging from tens of millions to more than $300 million, documents show.

The submittals — from Gotham Property Acquisitions LLC of New York and Stanbery Development Group of Ohio — were in response to a request for proposals the city and consultant CBRE issued in January to redevelop the former city hall site.

City Hall personnel relocated last month to downtown’s Horizon West Bay, an $85 million mixed-use development intended to anchor activity in Largo’s up-and-coming urban core.

The old municipal site, at 201 Highland Ave., still houses the Largo Police Department and the city’s Emergency Operations Center. The facilities are expected to remain in place at least for the short term.

Both redevelopment proposals assume eventual relocation of those public safety operations and full redevelopment of the 14-acre property. That issue is expected to factor into the city’s analysis as officials weigh the total public cost of redeveloping the site, dubbed Highland Commons.

Gotham Property Acquisitions proposes a large-scale, mixed-use development. It calls for residential, retail, office, hospitality and civic uses. The company estimates the total project cost at $310 million. It has offered to pay $7 million for the property.

“This opportunity represents more than a development, it is a chance to create a vibrant, walkable, and community-centered destination that reflects Largo’s vision for Highland Commons and serves as a catalyst for long-term economic and civic growth,” according to a letter from Matthew Picket, Vice President of Development and Acquisitions for Gotham.

The police department and emergency operations center would remain during early construction phases, but would need to relocate before later phases could proceed.

The proposal includes 367 apartments and town homes, as well as retail, restaurant and office space, structured parking, public plazas and a boutique hotel.

Gotham also proposes a payment in lieu of taxes arrangement tied to workforce housing units. It also is seeking reductions or waivers of various city fees.

Stanbery Development Group proposes a smaller, two-phase project with an estimated cost of $63 million. It would buy the land for about $1.8 million, paid in installments.

The plan calls for 220 apartments, neighborhood commercial space and a network of parks and open spaces that would serve surrounding residents. The police station and emergency operations center would move before the start of the second phase.

‘We view Highland Commons as a unique opportunity to create a true gathering place within Largo’s civic core,” wrote P. Jonathan Meyer, manager of Stanbery.

The Stanbery project would be fully privately financed, the company’s proposal states.

The firms have worked on several other projects in the Bay area, including in Clearwater, Oldsmar and Tampa.

Both proposals raise questions about the as-yet-unknown cost to taxpayers to relocate the public safety facilities.

Another unknown is whether the Gotham proposal, due to its scale and proximity, would compete against downtown for residents and commercial activity.

Horizon West Bay is intended to serve as downtown’s civic and commercial center, anchoring private investment and pedestrian activity. Gotham’s concept envisions a similar dense, walkable mixed-use district.

Stanbery’s proposal, by contrast, is more modest and primarily focused on residences.

City staff will evaluate the proposals before the city commission decides whether to negotiate with one of the developers or seek other offers.