ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Want to have a say in what happens with a proposed major redevelopment in downtown St. Pete? The time has come.
After St. Petersburg's Mayor Ken Welch and the city scrapped an initial Request for Proposals (RFP) process last year, a second process began in August and now the city of St. Petersburg and four different development firms have bold plans to redevelop the 86-acre historic Gas Plant District in the heart of downtown and build a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Here's a look at the four development firms' plans:
The city's ultimate goal is to keep the Rays in St. Pete, but the city also says it's looking for proposals that emphasize "affordable and workforce housing; office and meeting space; arts and culture; research, innovation, and education; recreation; open space, healthy and sustainable development; and intentional equity."
In addition, redevelopment plans will also pay tribute to the area, a historic Black community that was razed for the ballpark more than 40 years.
On Wednesday, the city of St. Petersburg held a community presentation in which each developer shared a 20-minute presentation of their plans for the 86-acre lot. More than 400 people attended the in-person forum, and a few hundred more watched on Zoom, according to city officials.
Each proposal will bring major change to the area and because of that, the city now wants people and families nearby to now weigh in on the proposals.
People can submit their feedback virtually by filling out an online form on the city's website.
People can also share their feedback in person at any of the following city facilities through Jan. 23, 2023:
- Campbell Park Recreation Center, 601 14th Street South
- Childs Park Recreation & Fitness Center, 4301 13th Avenue South
- J.W. Cate Recreation Center, 5801 22nd Avenue North
- South Branch Library, 2300 Roy Hannah Drive South
- Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Avenue South
- North Branch Library, 861 70th Avenue North
A final decision will be announced by Mayor Welch at his first State of the City address slated for Jan. 30, according to the city.
To learn more about the Historic Gas Plant District RFP process, click here.