Work officially begins to transform long-vacant St. Pete hospital site

Construction on the long-anticipated transformation of the Edward White Hospital property into an affordable housing community for seniors in St. Petersburg kicked off Tuesday with a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site.

The event, which featured the requisite local dignitaries and officials flipping dirt and giving speeches, marked the official start of work on the $29 million project that will turn the empty building into a 71-unit housing development.

When complete, the property will actually house three facilities including the St. Petersburg Housing Authority’s new offices and a clinic run by healthcare provider Evara Health along with the housing.