SPHA Announces Speakers for the Groundbreaking Ceremony of "The Edward White Campus"
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (August 22, 2024) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is pleased to announce the lineup of speakers for the groundbreaking ceremony of "The Edward White Campus."
The groundbreaking event will take place:
- Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
- Time: 11:00 AM
- Location: 2323 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
(Please note that this event is not open to the general public.)
The ceremony will commence with a musical performance by the St. Petersburg High School Green Devil Marching Band.
Ken Welch, Mayor of St. Petersburg, will deliver a Proclamation.
Additional speakers will include:
- Michael Lundy, President and CEO, SPHA
- James Dates, Chair, SPHA Board of Commissioners
- René Flowers, Pinellas County Commissioner, District 7
- Deborah Figgs-Sanders, Chair, St. Petersburg City Council, District 5
- Richie Floyd, St. Petersburg City Council, District 8
- Rainer Pelzel, Vice President, Valley Bank
- Johnathan Stanton, President, LEMA Construction
- Elodie Dorso, President and CEO, Evara Health
Additionally, SPHA is honored to have Bonnie White Baer, daughter of Astronaut Ed White, as a special guest speaking at the event.
LEMA Construction will be the general contractor for the redevelopment. SPHA is honored to partner with LEMA Construction on the groundbreaking event.
About The Edward White Campus:
SPHA is embarking on a complete renovation of the former Edward White Hospital building, which will be renamed "The Edward White Campus." The renovation project will transform the site into a multi-story affordable housing complex. The renovated six-story, 121,000-square-foot building will feature 71 apartments for low-income seniors and professional office space. SPHA will be moving our administrative offices to the new development, bringing us closer to the people we serve!
The Edward White Campus will house three facilities:
- Gemini Senior Living Community at the Edward White Campus: (Pronounced JEM-ih-nee) This facility will provide 71 affordable housing units for seniors aged 62 and above, offering a safe and comfortable living environment.
- St. Petersburg Housing Authority Central Office at the Edward White Campus: SPHA's new administrative offices will be located on the ground floor. The new location will enhance our accessibility and service to the community.
- Evara Health at the Edward White Campus: Evara Health is committed to delivering quality healthcare services, including preventative care, chronic disease management, same-day visits, and geriatrics. Their comprehensive, team-based, patient-centered care model aims to break down barriers to healthcare access and provide industry-leading services.
The former hospital was named in honor of Astronaut Ed White. SPHA reached out to the family of Ed White and received their permission to continue honoring his legacy with the building's new name.
Astronaut Ed White:
Ed White was born in 1930. After graduating from West Point in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree, White joined the Air Force. White was selected by NASA as one of the second group of astronauts, the so-called "Next Nine", who were chosen to take part in the Gemini (Pronounced JEM-ih-nee) and Apollo missions.
In 1965, during the Gemini 4 mission, Ed White became the first American astronaut to perform a spacewalk. White floated free outside the spacecraft, tethered to it, for approximately 23 minutes.
Learn more on the NASA website:
- https://www.nasa.gov/gallery/ed-white/
- https://www.nasa.gov/mission/gemini-iv/
- https://www.nasa.gov/history/gemini-iv-learning-to-walk-in-space-2/
Tragically, Ed White died at the age of 36 during the Apollo 1 spacecraft fire in 1967. His legacy endures as a true American hero, remembered for his contributions to space exploration and his bravery.
The building:
Located in the North Kenwood district, the site offers proximity to many city amenities and thriving businesses. The property is adjacent to Booker Creek Park, providing residents with lake views, access to walking trails, and various park amenities.
The building will feature unobstructed views from all sides. The first floor will include a lobby with an open dining hall, a catering kitchen, a mail room, and bike storage. Additional resident amenities will include a community room, computer lab, and fitness center.
The building will be updated to meet ADA accessibility code requirements. The exterior will receive a fresh look with new windows, doors, paint, and landscaping.
The Edward White Campus project is just one way that SPHA is working to create opportunities for stronger communities!
Architectural visualization of The Edward White Campus courtesy Wannemacher Jensen Architects.
ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY (SPHA):
An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.
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