The Clearwater Community Redevelopment Agency voted April 20 to advance negotiations to sell the former National Guard Armory at 706 N. Missouri Ave. to a buyer tied to Yo Mama’s Foods.
The action moves a city-controlled property toward private redevelopment tied to the company’s expansion and has prompted concerns from residents about the process behind the proposal.
The board unanimously approved a proposal from St. Benedict Holdings LLC and authorized staff to negotiate a purchase and development agreement for the site in the North Greenwood CRA district.
The proposal includes a $2 million purchase and adaptive reuse of the Armory building into warehouse, logistics and light manufacturing space supporting the company’s nearby operations. Plans call for about 18,500 square feet of industrial use.
“This project will create a consolidated campus supporting distribution, e-commerce fulfillment and continued business growth,” CRA Executive Director Nino Sciarra told the board during the presentation.
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Yo Mama’s Foods, founded in Clearwater in 2017, distributes products in roughly 25,000 stores and exports to 20 countries. The Armory site would allow the company to consolidate operations, including relocating some logistics functions from Chicago, and support an estimated 20 to 30 jobs with average salaries around $65,000.
“We’re a Clearwater-born company, and we very much want to stay here,” founder David Habib told the board.
The project represents about $5 million in investment and would convert a long tax-exempt property into a revenue-generating asset. Officials said it could generate $45,000 to $55,000 annually in CRA tax increment revenue.
The Armory site was transferred from the state of Florida to the city in 2025 and later placed under CRA control. The agency issued a public notice in February seeking proposals and received one qualifying submission meeting the minimum purchase requirement.
The vote followed extensive public comment focused on the process behind the proposal.
Residents and community leaders said they were not adequately informed and did not have enough time to prepare competing proposals.
“We had no idea till like three weeks ago,” North Greenwood resident Kimberly Brown said. “It is very hurtful that community property is being sold without our knowledge.”
Others raised concerns about transparency and long-term control of a property with historical significance.
“All we’re asking right now is to be included in the conversation, and to have time to really put forth maybe a proposal of our own,” said Kinard Robinson, a Clearwater business owner and member of the North Greenwood Citizens Advisory Committee.
Supporters pointed to the company’s growth and local roots.
“There is no one else in this room who has a better and more proven track record,” said Amanda Payne, president and CEO of Amplify Clearwater.
The vote authorizes negotiations only. Final terms will return to the CRA board before the sale can be completed.
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