John Catsimatidis Sr., founder of the New York-based Red Apple Group, has requested additional time to submit a redevelopment proposal for St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District, which houses Tropicana Field.

In a letter sent Friday to Mayor Ken Welch and City Council members, Catsimatidis asked officials to extend a 30-day submission window that could begin this week, calling it “simply not enough time for most serious master planners or developers to make a competitive pitch”.

Red Apple Group is currently completing the Residences at 400 Central, a mixed-use development valued at over $400 million. Catsimatidis stated his firm is “well-positioned to transform the 86 acres” with housing and amenities.

The city opened the submission process after receiving an unsolicited proposal from ARK Investment Management, fulfilling a state-mandated requirement before selling the land. ARK partnered with Tampa-based firms on a $6.8 billion bid submitted October 3.

Red Apple is the second firm to request additional time, following a 90-day extension request from developer Kolter on October 22. However, City Development Administrator James Corbett stated that Florida law requires proposals “must be made within 30 days after the date of publication of the notice”.

The site has historical significance, as the city displaced thousands of Black families and businesses from the Gas Plant area over 40 years ago. The Tampa Bay Rays walked away from a previously negotiated redevelopment deal in March.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater news at PIE-Sun.com