SPHA Organizes New Jordan Park Youth Program

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (OCTOBER 17, 2024) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is proud to announce that it has organized a new Jordan Park Youth Program.

On October 2nd, Jordan Park youth began a 4-week ArtsXploration series hosted by the Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA). Taught by professional artist Ricky Singh, the series "Discover the Magic of Resin Art" teaches safe and simple techniques for working with resin. The youth are learning to create unique pieces of art, such as coasters, keychains, and bookmarks, using resin.

"We're excited to have organized this opportunity for our young Jordan Park residents," said Kiara Lovett, Director of Social Services at SPHA. "Thanks to WADA, these kids are being introduced to creative arts in a fun and engaging way."

WADA is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a vibrant arts community within and around the Warehouse Arts District in St. Petersburg. Their mission is to be a community space and connector for the arts and lifelong learning, providing opportunities for creative skill-building with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation. ArtsXploration is an arts education opportunity that allows students to engage with various art mediums and creative processes.

SPHA extends its heartfelt thanks to WADA for bringing this experience to the Jordan Park community.

For more information, visit: www.warehouseartsdistrict.org

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ABOUT JORDAN PARK:

Jordan Park is known for being St. Petersburg's first African American housing community and the oldest federal public housing project in the state. It was originally built between 1939 and 1941.

On November 23, 2021, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) received approval from HUD for its Jordan Park redevelopment proposal, which would change the funding structure from Public Housing to Project-Based Vouchers and put the long-awaited community revitalization project into motion. The Jordan Park Redevelopment Project consisted of the following elements:

• Transitioning the Jordan Park family apartments (206 units) from Public Housing to a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) funding platform.
• Renovation of the 206 Family Units (i.e. new flooring, countertops, cabinets, washers and dryers in units, safety features, energy-efficiency improvements, etc.)
• Construction of a new three-story, 60-unit senior midrise building (for households 62 years and older) named "The Legacy at Jordan Park."

On December 14, 2021, SPHA closed on Jordan Park in partnership with co-developer Norstar Development USA, LP, and with the investment of Fannie Mae, KeyBank, and RBC Community Investments. Partners also included the bond issuer, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the City of St. Petersburg, which provided Community Redevelopment Area funding.

On October 27, 2023, SPHA held the grand opening of "The Legacy at Jordan Park," and celebrated the completion of the newly renovated 206 Jordan Park Family Units.

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.