ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said the city is "strong" and "the best place to live" while giving the State of the City address Tuesday morning. He also highlighted the city's continued "pursuit of progress."
Ahead of the public meeting, 10 Tampa Bay was able to get a look at 2023 achievements and statistics inside this impact report, which goes over several community initiatives, recovery during Hurricane Idalia, as well as the most prominent projects the city is still working on, such as affordable housing.
Among the largest commitments, and most expensive, includes the Rays-Hines development project. The deal was announced during last year's State of the City address but has made significant progress in the last 12 months. Welch and his staff laid the groundwork, completing months of negotiations ending in a public-private collaboration between the City, Pinellas County and the Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership.
What's next in 2024?
In "pursuit of progress," Welch said the Tampa Bay Rays' stadium and Gas Plant District plans continue to move forward.
Additionally, proposals for a municipal marina are expected soon, and a ribbon-cutting for a new sanitation facility is planned — two examples of what Welch calls the city's long-standing commitments.
Rays Stadium Deal
Besides the brand new Rays' stadium, shopping and all perks that typically come with a major-league venue, the $6 billion investment promises 4,800 residential and 1,200 affordable housing units to the area, as well as 50,000 square feet of non-profit community space, and improving 14 acres of parks and open space for the city.
Over the next 30 years, Welch's report estimates $535 million in new property taxes for the city, and more than $1 billion for the county.
The deal should also provide 32,900 new full-time construction jobs, and offer 11,000 permanent full and part-time jobs, as well.
Housing Opportunities
Looking past a brand new city-scape downtown, St. Petersburg's 2023 progress report also reflects on more affordable housing plans launched, that will continue through the next several years.
According to the city, St. Petersburg made progress in producing and preserving affordable housing and educating homebuyers.
It began the development of 834 workforce housing units which have either been approved, funded, or permitted. St. Petersburg employees also helped preserve 155 units and were able to sell 10 city-owned lots to qualified families as a part of the Affordable Lot Disposition Program.
Safety
"NOT MY SON" was relaunched as "NOT MY CHILD," moving into its seventh year of St. Petersburg's safe summer campaign, aiming to be more inclusive under its pro-community and anti-violence banner.
During and after Hurricane Idalia, St. Petersburg saw historic levels of storm surge which affected about 1,500 homes. The storm forced the city to activate the Emergency Operations Center and 10 department sub-centers, and sent hundreds of "boots on the ground" employees out to help residents.
St. Petersburg distributed more than 70,000 sandbags before Hurricane Idalia swept the Bay, and then rescued 75 residents and 18 pets from the high waters that flooded in. The city estimates around 1,300 tons of storm debris was collected across the city.
Community Action
Welch also included 97 mayoral proclamations made in 2023, including Localtopia Day, The Courageous 12 Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, Transgender Day of Remembrance and Black Women's Equal Pay Day.
For Pride Month, the city encouraged residents and visitors to express their love and support for the LGBTQ+ community by spreading kindness and sharing stories of strength, connection and empowerment. The city partnered with 11 local businesses and organizations to host stations where visitors could create or take a "Letter of Love."
We Are St. Pete Spirit Week was a way for 3,600 employees to be celebrated in a big way.
Most recently, the city celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend and will soon be celebrating Black History Month in February.
See the full list of accomplishments listed in the 2023 progress report.