A Story of Faith, Real Estate & Forward Momentum
St. Petersburg, FL — Over the past decade, BridgePointe Church has reshaped its physical footprint across Pinellas County through a series of carefully sequenced real estate decisions, all guided by a consistent advisory relationship with commercial real estate strategist and founder of Commercial Partners Realty, Scott Clendening. Clendening has worked alongside church leadership since the organization first began pursuing a permanent home.
Rather than approaching growth opportunistically, BridgePoint’s leadership partnered with Clendening to evaluate each acquisition, expansion, and disposition through the lens of long-term sustainability, mission alignment, and financial stewardship. This disciplined approach has allowed the church to remain focused on its mission of helping people get closer to God, while ensuring its resources are positioned to serve the broader community effectively.
A Long-Term Advisory Relationship
In 2013, as BridgePoint sought to move out of leased space and into a permanent facility, Clendening was engaged to identify and evaluate options that could support both immediate needs and future growth. His guidance led to the acquisition of the former lifestyle gym at 6690 Crosswinds Drive North, which the church transformed into a 50,000-square-foot main campus following its January 2014 closing.
As the congregation expanded, BridgePoint continued to rely on Clendening’s counsel, not only for acquisitions but for how each property fit into a broader operational and financial strategy. In 2017, he assisted in securing an adjacent office building to address parking and administrative needs without overextending the church’s capital resources, allowing more funding to remain available for outreach initiatives across Pinellas County.
Strategic Decisions in the Urban Core
Clendening’s advisory role became especially consequential with BridgePoint’s entrance into downtown St. Petersburg through the acquisition of the historic Lyceum property on Mirror Lake. Beyond identifying the opportunity, he guided leadership through a strategy that balanced preservation, financial optimization, and long-term flexibility.
Following the acquisition, Clendening structured the sale of a portion of the property to nearby developers, generating proceeds exceeding twice the church’s original acquisition price while securing deeded parking rights for continued use, a transaction that significantly strengthened BridgePoint’s balance sheet and reduced long-term debt. These outcomes enabled the church to reinvest in community-focused efforts, including partnerships with local organizations such as Florida Dream Center, St. Pete Free Clinic, and other nonprofits addressing critical needs throughout the region.
Growth Guided by Discipline
In 2020, Clendening again advised BridgePoint in the acquisition of its Seminole campus, enabling the church to consolidate administrative functions and better serve west Pinellas County. Over time, he also assisted with the leasing and sale of surplus assets, ensuring capital was redeployed strategically rather than locked into properties no longer aligned with the church’s operational needs.
Through this disciplined, advisor-led approach, BridgePoint emerged as a financially independent, multi-campus organization, freeing resources to support initiatives such as Building Beds, which has helped provide more than 4,000 beds for children in Pinellas County, operating cold-night shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness, and maintaining food security efforts like its recent Souper Bowl food pantry initiative.
Preparing for the Next Chapter
Today, Clendening is working with BridgePoint leadership on the planned sale of the Lyceum at Mirror Lake, an almost 100-year-old property, as part of a transition into a more modern, functional facility. The move reflects BridgePoint’s belief in maintaining a strategic physical presence in key areas of the community, creating spaces where people can encounter hope, support, and connection.
The transition creates space for new energy, new investment, and renewed public engagement at Mirror Lake. With the right vision, the Lyceum has the potential to become a vibrant cultural, arts, or event destination that complements surrounding development while preserving the character that makes St. Pete distinct. This moment reflects both the responsible stewardship of a historic asset and an opportunity to contribute to the city’s next chapter. As conversations continue around the Lyceum at Mirror Lake, those seeking more information can connect with Clendening at (727) 643-1841 or scott@cprteam.com
Expertise That Extends Beyond Transactions
BridgePoint Church’s journey illustrates the value of treating real estate not as a series of isolated transactions, but as an integrated strategy guided by experienced counsel. By maintaining a long-term advisory relationship, the church was able to reduce debt, unlock asset value, and reinvest resources in ways that support both its mission and the surrounding community.
