Pinellas County receives three bids for STAR Center

Pinellas County has received a trio of bids to buy the 96-acre Young & Rainey Science Technology & Research Center.

Harrod Properties, Belaire Development LLC and Clearwater Tower Co. II LLC met the Oct. 11 deadline imposed by Pinellas County Economic Development officials.

Mike Meidel, direct of the economic development agency, says a five-member committee will be formed soon to evaluate the bids and possibly rank them based on criteria the county considers important.

STAR Center includes 10.4 acres that is available immediately for development. Another 27.6 acres is subject to a ground lease. The property also contains industrial buildings totaling 661,697 square feet, which is currently 81% occupied.

The county began the process of launching a request for proposals last summer in the hope of selling the property to meet its long-term space and growth goals.

Ultimately, Pinellas County's Board of County Commissioners will decide on any sale of the 7887 Bryan Dairy Road site.

STAR Center is strategically located near Interstate 275, Tampa International Airport and the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.