SPC Students Share Findings to Advance The Grove @ 1105 Project

Published on December 02, 2025

At the December 1 CRA Trustee Meeting, the St. Petersburg College (SPC) student consulting team collaborated with the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition (CULC) and the Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to share the findings of an eight-week research project supporting the vision for The Grove @ 1105. Located at North Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Tangerine Street, The Grove @ 1105 is a compact container village created by CULC to offer small business opportunities and a gathering place for residents in North Greenwood. The project is anticipated to open in Summer 2026.

This partnership began earlier this year when Audra Aja, Clearwater Economic Development & Housing Manager, connected SPC’s College of Business with CULC to support the coalition’s project while providing SPC students with meaningful real-world consulting experience.

During the meeting, the student consulting team summarized their research and offered recommendations related to tenant mix, marketing strategy, operational structure, and community engagement. Their findings emphasized the value of shaping The Grove @ 1105 as a restaurant-focused social destination supported by strong management practices, consistent outreach, and strategic partnerships.

Council members commended the work, with Mayor Bruce Rector noting, “This is exactly the kind of partnership our community needs—bright young minds working alongside local leaders.”

The consulting group was led by Dr. Andy Rojas, joined by student consultants Joseph Mineo, Hector Amortegui, MBA, Aimen Mudassar, Ryan Davidson, Lisa Ljones, LDO, ABO, NCLE, and John Musallam, each contributing research, analysis, and strategic insight throughout the project.

In support of this initiative, the Clearwater CRA has allocated $500,000 to help fund the development of The Grove @ 1105, reinforcing the city’s commitment to community-driven revitalization in North Greenwood.

CULC leaders expressed appreciation for the partnership, explaining that the SPC report aligned with their long-term vision and provided new ideas to strengthen the project’s next phase.

This collaboration among the city, community partners, and educational institutions demonstrates how shared expertise can elevate redevelopment initiatives—showing how partnerships like this directly contribute to stronger, more resilient community projects.

The Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition (CULC) is a nonprofit community-based organization that works to uplift and support the North Greenwood community through economic mobility, leadership development, and neighborhood-driven revitalization. Learn more about the organization by visiting culc2020.org.