Lema Construction to Build New HQ, 20 Townhomes Amid Land-Use Changes in St. Pete’s Gateway Area

A series of land use and zoning changes in a coastal high-hazard area will pave the way for a new headquarters for St. Petersburg-based Lema Construction and a 20-unit townhome development.

At its June 12 meeting, the St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with Lema Construction, including specific habitat management requirements. The project spans three non-contiguous parcels totaling 3.3 acres in the city’s Gateway area, just east of 4th Street North near Gandy Boulevard.

The northernmost 1.23-acre site will be preserved as a habitat area. Attorney Craig Taraszki, representing Lema, noted the site's current condition: “There’s dumping, there are homeless encampments… it’s mostly invasive Brazilian pepper and other non-native species.”

Currently, the properties are largely vacant and overgrown. One site houses a communications tower. All three include designated preservation areas and carry residential zoning.

Under the new agreement, Lema will construct a 10,000-square-foot townhome development on the southernmost parcel, located near 3rd Street North and Gandy Boulevard, while preserving a narrow green buffer. On the middle, 0.71-acre parcel, Lema will build a one-story, 6,825-square-foot office—its new headquarters—while retaining the existing communications tower. The company currently leases its HQ less than two miles away and acquired the new site in February for $400,000.

To protect the environment, Lema must restore the northernmost parcel’s native habitat before beginning construction. The development agreement requires Lema to maintain the preservation areas, submit regular updates to the city, and establish a financial guarantee to ensure long-term success of the restored wetlands.

“We’re increasing the wetlands within the preservation district by half an acre,” Taraszki said. “Site 1 will be a mitigated, enhanced preservation area of constructed wetlands.”

He also emphasized that the fragmented, long-neglected parcels have limited current preservation value, and nearby developments—including a shopping center—have further disrupted the area.

Councilmember Gina Driscoll praised the project and Lema’s track record: “They’re known for thoughtful developments,” she said, citing the company’s work on Ed White Hospital’s redevelopment, St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Center, and Haddy’s robotics-powered facility downtown.

“I love how this is working out,” Driscoll added. “It’s a win all around. Adding townhomes in a smart location, while restoring and enhancing wetlands, benefits everyone.”