Letter of Interest for the City Hall Site

Important:  Due to Hurricane Ian, the deadline for questions has been extended to noon on Friday, October 7.

Please click here to view the pre-submission meeting that was held on 9:00 a.m. EST on September 21, 2022.

Please see below for the Answers to Questions submitted (under Relevant Documentation)

The City owns several parcels of land purchased directly by the City or through the CRA. These holdings are available to an interested developer.  All of this land is adjacent to the existing City Hall which is itself a part of the total available acreage. The remaining portions of the acreage are largely vacant and unencumbered, assembled by the City and its CRA over period of several years with the idea that the area would be an anchor or centerpiece of the broader community. The holdings are generally bounded by State Street, Washington Street, and Tampa Road. Together the parcels total about 7 acres (“Property”). Depending on plans and interest, the potential area available for use or development could be enlarged by vacating any ROW that now bisect the property. Including ROW, the total holdings might increase to approximately 8 acres.

These holdings are identified as an important catalytic site near the center of Oldsmar. The use and deployment of these holdings would provide a substantive real estate opportunity while also offering locational advantages supporting other kinds of development activity and community goals. Although a specific program and plan remain largely to the discretion of parties that might acquire the Property or rights to improve it, the City contracted with the Community Solutions Group (“CSG”) of GAI Consultants to convene residents to explore and discuss uses, character, and scale that might function as guiding principles. In July and August of 2022, the City updated its mission and vision for the future development of the property. 

Approximately 125 people were actively engaged in articulating these principles which reconcile to the City’s adopted regulations for Property and serve as the aspirational framework for any development that might be implemented. The broadly conceived vision and mission reads: 

Vision: Oldsmar’s Town Center will be a special place that deepens the community’s identity, acknowledging its historic character while sensitively incorporating a contemporary mix of residential, commercial, civic, and public open space uses. It will be a place that connects people within an aesthetically, exciting destination for young and old alike while providing new economic opportunity for Oldsmar. 

Mission: To develop the eight-acre, publicly owned site through exemplary planning and public support to generate an aesthetically pleasing, economically sustainable, iconic Town Center destination enjoyed by residents, customers, and visitors through a variety of experiences and places. • Shared Community Asset and gathering place relevant to all members of community. • Character Place designed sensitively for both the historic neighborhoods and regional location. • Authentic Experience with local businesses and features that are distinct to Oldsmar. • Economically Vibrant with active living, shopping, working, civic use and diverse local events.• Walkable, Safe and Inviting destination that is embraced by residents as part of community life. 

From a planning and regulatory standpoint, the 8 acres could accommodate a combination of residential, hospitality, and other non-residential uses subject to satisfying open space, parking, amenities and other considerations. Precisely how the potential entitlements or opportunities will be matched to the community’s expectations will be subject to negotiations and the terms of a development agreement. It is expected that the selected party will coordinate or balance both investment needs and civic goals of the broader community by working closely with key City staff. 

Please take a moment to look at the below information including the formal Letter of Interest Solicitation. If you would like more information, please email downtown@myoldsmar.com or call 813-749-1100. If you would like a zoom link to the pre-submission meeting on September 21, please email downtown@myoldsmar.com 

The City recently hosted a Community Visioning Workshop to create a vision, mission, goals, objectives, for the site.  Here is a link to the video of the Workshop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRdEqzvT06Y&t=245

The zoning of the site is Town Center Commercial Residential. The zoning regulations can be found here: https://library.municode.com/fl/oldsmar/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIVTOCEDECO_ARTIVSI_4.3SIZODI_4.3.4TOCECOREDI

The zoning was amended in April, 2022 to provide a density bonus for vertically-integrated mixed-use buildings as per Ordinance 2021-26 below. 

The parcel is subject to a Development Agreement as per the City's Land Development Code, Section 14.7 https://library.municode.com/fl/oldsmar/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIILADECO_ARTXIVSURE_14.7DEAG

Other background documents are available on request at downtown@myoldsmar.com including past site plans and physical site data.