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 brokerage 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 expected to anchor economic activity in Largo’s up-and-coming urban core.

The old municipal site, east of downtown at 201 Highland Ave., still houses the Largo Police Department and the emergency operations center, which would remain in place during the initial construction.

Both proposals, though, assume eventual relocation of those public safety operations — at the city's expense — to redevelop the entire 14 acres.

That issue is expected to factor into the city’s economic analysis as officials weigh the total public cost of converting the site, called Highland Commons.

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

Largo Mayor Woody Brown did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the proposals.

Gotham Property Acquisitions wants to build a large-scale, mixed-use project with 367 apartments and town homes. The plan also calls for retail, restaurant and office space as well as structured parking, public plazas and a boutique hotel.

The company estimates the total cost at $310 million. It offered to pay $7 million for the land, which served as the city's government center since the 1990s. Voters approved the property's sale in a 2024 referendum that also authorized a mixed-use project.

“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.

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

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

It's unclear whether Gotham's proposal, due to its scale and proximity, would end up competing with downtown for residents and patrons.

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 live-work zone.

Stanbery Development Group proposes leveraging 100 percent private financing for a smaller, two-phase project estimated at $63 million. It would buy the land for $1.8 million, paid in installments.

Stanbery proposes 220 apartments, neighborhood commercial space and parks and open spaces designed to complement the adjacent Highland Recreation Complex. The police station and emergency operations center would relocate before the start of the second phase.

Unlike Gotham's plan, which envisions a regional mixed-use destination, Stanbery's focuses on creating a neighborhood centered around existing public amenities.

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

Both firms have worked on several other projects in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area, including those in Clearwater, Oldsmar and Tampa.