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03/06/2025

St. Petersburg Housing Authority to Host Spring Family Picnic in Jordan Park

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (MARCH 6, 2025) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is excited to announce that it will host a Spring Family Picnic event in Jordan Park for SPHA residents. This fun-filled event will bring together SPHA families and local organizations for an afternoon of games, entertainment, and community celebration.

Event Details:

  • Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
  • Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: Jordan Park Pavilion, across from 1245 Jordan Park Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

This year's event will feature a carnival theme, with engaging activities for all ages. Community partners will host carnival-style games, and attendees will enjoy live entertainment, interactive demonstrations, and family-friendly fun.

Featured Event Highlight:

One of the event's highlights will be a martial arts demonstration by SPHA students of the Shihan School of Survival (www.shihansos.com).

SPHA recently expanded its Jordan Park Youth Program by introducing martial arts classes in partnership with the Shihan School of Survival. SPHA youth will showcase the martial arts skills they have developed in the class.

Founded in 2005 by Shihan Walter Evans, the Shihan School of Survival is dedicated to empowering youth through Jujitsu and Karate training. The program addresses challenges such as youth obesity, violence, bullying, gang activity, criminal behavior, suicide, drug use, and other societal issues by providing students with positive outlets for growth and self-improvement.

Additional Event Highlights:

Strengthening Community Connections:

"Our Spring Family Picnic is a great opportunity to bring our residents together in a fun and welcoming environment," said Michael Lundy, President and CEO of SPHA. "We are committed to fostering a strong sense of community, and events like this allow families to connect, celebrate, and enjoy quality time together."

The event was spearheaded by Kiara Lovett, SPHA's Director of Social Services, who emphasized the importance of community partnerships. "We are thrilled to host this event for our residents and grateful for the incredible support from our community partners," said Lovett.

Additional Community Partners Participating:

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

  • Domino's Pizza - Team Florida: www.dominos.com
  • Lewis Williams Education Foundation

Learn More:

For more information about the event, contact SocialServices@StPeteHA.org

SPHA is the leading affordable housing provider in the city of St. Petersburg, serving more than 4,000 low-income households. SPHA's mission is to provide safe, sanitary, accessible, decent, and affordable housing to eligible citizens of the city of St. Petersburg, while enhancing and promoting resident self-sufficiency.

 

Exterior of Jordan Park Family Unit with blue sky in background.

Exterior of a Jordan Park Family Unit in St. Petersburg, Florida.

 

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ABOUT JORDAN PARK:

Jordan Park is a historic housing community managed by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA). It 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, 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. SPHA also celebrated the completion of the surrounding 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.

 

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