Over-development concerns drive residents to oppose TradeWinds expansion

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. - Residents against a massive proposed TradeWinds Island Resorts expansion packed a community meeting to show their opposition to the project Thursday night.

It was standing room only as people showed up with questions, concerns and some to applaud the project.

According to the developer, the expansion plans include the construction of 650 additional hotel rooms in three new high-rises, beachfront hotel buildings. The project would also include an expansion of 33,000 square feet of conference facilities, including a new 20,000 square foot ballroom, new retail space, three new swimming pools, three new parking garages including more than 2,000 additional spaces, and new landscaping throughout the site.

Here's a look a the site plan for the TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach.

According to the developer, the expansion plans include the construction of 650 additional hotel rooms in three new high-rises, beachfront hotel buildings. The project would also include an expansion of 33,000 square feet of conference facilities, including a new 20,000 square foot ballroom, new retail space, three new swimming pools, three new parking garages including more than 2,000 additional spaces, and new landscaping throughout the site.

"So, the vast majority of people that we've spoken to are very enthusiastic and supportive. It brings in $19 million of tax revenue to the local community, which we're very glad to add that," Joe Smith, managing partner of 1754 Properties which owns TradeWinds Island Resorts said.

READ: TradeWinds Resort guests left waiting for hours on St. Pete Beach after morning fire

Those against the expansion have organized under the name 'Protect Saint Pete Beach.' They view the community as a small beach town already plagued by traffic and congestion and under the threat of over-development.  An online petition called 'Say NO to TradeWinds 650 Room Expansion in St Pete Beach' has garnered more than 1,300 signatures.

Rendering of expansion plan for TradeWinds Island Resorts

"What concerns me is the amount of traffic here. St. Pete Beach is four miles. If you do the math with the new parking, you're looking to put up that’s six miles of cars. You line them up bumper to bumper. It's not going to work," Greg Miller, a resident, said.

According to the petition, its purpose is to "request that the mayor, city commission, planning division, and zoning division:

1.     Reject any plans that allow for 650 additional hotel rooms

2.     Reject any plans to build new beach-front high-rise building

3.     Reject any plans to build 2,113 parking spaces

4.     Reject any plan for more conference and ballroom facilities

Yard signs that read 'NO HOTEL EXPANSION' can be seen along Gulf Boulevard, with residents expressing their concerns regarding over-development at the commission meetings. 

"All this falls on deaf ears with the pro-development mayor, city commission, and city manager," said Adrian Petrila, a real estate agent and founder of the online petition.  

One small business owner who attended Thursday’s meeting said compromise will be needed, but this project ultimately benefits everyone.

"It's no doubt this is going to be a beautiful property that's going to add value to all of us ultimately. I mean, that's the truth of it. And there's going to be a tremendous number of tax dollars and jobs that come out of this," Paul Worsfold said.

Joe Smith, Managing Partner, 1754 Properties, owner of TradeWinds, sent a statement to FOX 13 that states:

 "As we have done over the last several months across several informal neighborhood meetings, we will continue to work hard to address specific concerns that neighbors have. As an example, we have gone to great lengths to position buildings to avoid impacting neighboring properties and their beach views, when possible. We are very focused on the impact on traffic, and we will create an internal road system to take traffic off Gulf Boulevard, among other things. We look forward to continuing to let St. Pete Beach residents know the positives of the project and do what we can to ensure that people are making their decisions based on facts." 

The expansion is planned to be built in four non-continuous phases with an estimated start of construction in 2024 and estimated completion of the last phase in 2034.