Partner News | St. Pete Downtown Partnership

Mayor Ken Welch headlined a much-anticipated St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership luncheon Wednesday. Photo by Mark Parker.

St. Pete mayor dishes on Rays, resilience at luncheon

We were honored to have Mayor Ken Welch join our members earlier this week for a thoughtful discussion answering their questions about the Cross-Bay Ferry, arts

December 12, 2024

The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership’s latest monthly event focused on the city’s efforts to assist homeless residents and the effects of House Bill 1365.

Developers, city officials discuss new homeless challenges

A seemingly increasing homeless population is affecting condominium sales in St. Petersburg. However, new state legislation banning public “camping” contradicts

March 27, 2024

A rendering of the Reflection condominium tower shows an expansive tile mosaic. Its developers have instead selected a prominent artist to create a four-story mural. Image: HP Capital.

Developers secure ‘world-renowned’ muralist for Mirror Lake tower

The local developers behind an 18-story luxury condominium tower plan to elevate St. Petersburg’s reputation as a city that proudly promotes the arts.

April 25, 2024

More than 100 people attended an event Wednesday hosted by the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital titled “Community Solutions for Unhoused Neighbors.” Photos: Ashley Morales.

Local leaders discuss solutions for city’s unhoused

Recognizing the need to address homelessness in the community, the St Petersburg Downtown Partnership convened a “leadership lunch” Wednesday

June 5, 2024

Chris Ballestra, managing director of development, discussed the southern waterfront's future Tuesday with the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership.

What’s next for St. Pete’s downtown waterfront?

City officials are asking stakeholders to help reimagine a downtown St. Petersburg waterfront with new and enhanced arts institutions.

August 28, 2024

How St. Pete College can bolster downtown

Prominent local author Peter Kageyama, the self-proclaimed “city love guy,” believes colleges embody many municipal characteristics – they both have leadership,

September 26, 2023

Construction equipment, photo by City of St. Petersburg

City officials work to alleviate permitting backlogs

The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership enlisted Abernethy to provide permitting process insight in a Dec. 14 webinar.

December 15, 2023

City representatives present on the city’s efforts to assist unhoused residents and the effects of the recently signed law taking effect Oct. 1, House Bill 1365.

Developer's Council: Resources for Downtown's Unhoused Community

At our last Developer's Council meeting, we focused on the city’s efforts to assist unhoused residents and the effects of the recently signed law taking effect

April 3, 2024

Will Conroy teaching the inaugural Commercial Real Estate Development 101 bootcamp with more than 30 students

St. Pete College Commercial Real Estate Course

This year, St. Petersburg College (SPC) hosted the inaugural Commercial Real Estate Development 101 bootcamp with more than 30 students. This new project was in

April 3, 2024

Tampa Bay Rays Here To Stay Press Conference

For Rays’ partner Hines, $6.5B stadium development will be ‘transformative’

Hines is working alongside the Rays to lead a monumental 20-year, $6.5 billion plan for a stadium and mixed-use development on the Trop site.

October 10, 2023

USF’s New St. Pete Chancellor Poses a Question: ‘What are we going to becoem?’

Christian Hardigree, USF St. Petersburg campus's new chancellor, is leaning on her previous experience with the hospitality industry as she settles in.

December 8, 2022

USF students joined university leadership in Tallahassee for USF Day at the Capitol on Feb. 8, 2023

Final state budget provides transformational new funding for USF

USF will receive an increase in operating funds, including $24.3 million for the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research & Teaching facility in St. Pete

June 20, 2023

USF students in the planner-in-residence class speak with Caryn Nesmith, director of community relations at USF St. Petersburg, to help inform the master plan they developed for the St. Petersburg Innovation District.

First planner-in-residence class receives award for collaboration with St. Petersburg Innovation District

First planner-in-residence class receives award for neighborhood master plan in collaboration with St. Petersburg Innovation District.

September 6, 2023

St. Pete Innovation District banner outside ARK Innovation Center

Innovation District officials look to the future

St. Petersburg Innovation District officials are formulating a vision to connect and enhance 50+ organizations comprising the public-private partnership.

July 11, 2023

Saturday Shoppes Vendors at St. Pete Store

New leadership alliance will foster equitable growth

Steinocher, president of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, said he wants to ensure the entire community helps determine the city’s future.

August 25, 2023

Stu Sternberg announcing that the Rays will stay in Downtown St. Pete

For the Rays, St. Petersburg never seemed like the answer. What changed?

The Rays consider DTSP after 16 years, now that St. Petersburg has become a staple destination for arts and dining, featuring new, high-end buildings.

September 25, 2023

St. Pete EDC hires president

The St. Pete Chamber of Commerce started the process of developing an EDC to attract and retain companies 2 years ago as part of city’s "Grow Smarter" strategy.

October 12, 2016

St. Pete Innovation District hires leader

A new executive director for the St. Pete Innovation District has a 100-day plan and is developing benchmarks to measure success.

July 21, 2017

St. Pete 2.0: Establishing priorities for St. Petersburg’s Comprehensive Arts Strategy [Take survey]

In this edition of St. Pete 2.0, we are asking Catalyst readers and DP members to refine and prioritize some of the themes that emerged from our 1st survey

January 11, 2021

A Goodbye to Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock

On behalf of St. Petersburg’s downtown business community, we express our sincere appreciation for the role that USF plays in our community through the St. Pete

January 12, 2021

St. Pete City Council pushes back on outside consultant on Trop selection

Debate over how to redevelop Tropicana Field causes tensions, especially in the topic of utilizing outside expertise to guide the situation.

January 25, 2021

St. Pete 2.0: Establishing priorities for St. Petersburg’s Comprehensive Arts Strategy [Survey results]

In this edition of St. Pete 2.0, we asked Catalyst readers and Downtown Partnership members to refine and prioritize some of the themes that have emerged.

January 25, 2021

Seven proposals revealed for the redevelopment of the 86-acre Tropicana Field site

The City of St. Peter and Mayor Kriseman released 7 submissions of the Request for Proposal for the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site in downtown.

February 1, 2021

Collage of 5 proposed developments to take place in 2021

A Year of Rising: Here’s What’s Planned for Downtown St. Pete in 2021

After 2020 seemed like a never-ending year, we are optimistic about what 2021 will bring for St. Pete.

February 1, 2021

Rainbow flag flowing in the wind with Tropicana Field in the background

St. Pete is abuzz about prospects for redo of The Trop

Tropicana Field remains unchanged, a parking lot around a domed stadium with more in common with Houston’s 1960s-era Astrodome than today’s modern ballparks.

February 2, 2021

Comprehensive Arts Strategy Brief

The Comprehensive Arts Strategy (CAS) will develop strategic recommendations to grow St. Petersburg’s arts sector and improve overall community prosperity.

February 2, 2021

Proposal drawing of one of the proposed Tropicana Re-developments

Three Trop site proposals out of the running as city narrows list

The City of St. Petersburg has shortlisted four proposals for the redevelopment of the 86-acre Tropicana Field site.

March 8, 2021

Rainbow City of St. Pete flag in front of Tropicana Field

Tropicana Field Site - Public Comment

There are currently three ways for residents to provide input regarding the proposals leading up to the final development partner being selected.

March 30, 2021

Tampa Bay Rays will meet with community stakeholders to talk Trop site redevelopment, City Council member says

While reviewing the Tropicana Field redevelopment process, an off-hand remark by St. Peter City Council member Deborah Figgs-Sanders redirects the conversation.

March 30, 2021

City releases appraisals for Trop site

The Tropicana Field site has an estimated market value ranging from $66 million to $277.4 million, according to three appraisals on the property.

April 19, 2021

City Council wants to ‘hit the pause button’ on Trop redevelopment and work with the Rays

The St. Petersburg City Council wants to work with the Tampa Bay Rays on the future of the Tropicana Field site.

April 19, 2021

St. Petersburg to get $45 million from President Biden’s American Recovery Plan

Of the Federal government’s latest coronavirus relief package, the American Rescue Plan, the Sunshine City will receive $45 million.

May 27, 2021

Kriseman to trim Trop redevelopment shortlist to two

Mayor Rick Kriseman is set to whittle down the field of Tropicana Field redevelopment proposals from four to two.

May 27, 2021

Rays lawsuit impacts plans for talks between city, county, team

Pinellas County & City of St. Pete are holding on the process to hire a consultant to negotiate with the TB Rays on what could be the future of the team.

May 27, 2021

Tampa Bay Rays flag on the side of a field with cones

St. Petersburg business leaders urge Kriseman to keep working with Rays

City business leaders sent a letter to Rick Kriseman imploring him to resume working with the Tampa Bay Rays on a deal that would keep the team in St. Pete.

May 28, 2021

Tropicana Field Redevelopment Partners Shortlisted To Two

The City of St. Petersburg has announced a 2 firms that remain in the running to become the development partner for the Tropicana Field Redevelopment.

May 28, 2021

St. Pete Downtown Partnership Supports Marina Redevelopment

The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership supports efforts to redevelop the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina.

June 9, 2021

Next Steps for USF St. Petersburg Campus' Academic Clusters

Community leaders joined the Pinellas Legislative Delegation and USF's leadership team to talk about proposed academic clusters for the USF St. Pete campus.

June 30, 2021

City Council Public Meeting Recap Regarding Mirror Lake's historic district application

On 07/15/21, the City Council conducted a public meeting on their consideration of initiating a local historic district application for Mirror Lake neighborhood

July 19, 2021

Downtown St. Pete skyline from ferry, during early sunset

St. Pete City Council approves Community Benefits Agreement program to require reinvestment on certain projects

On Thursday, the St. Pete City Council unanimously passed a community benefits agreement program following a public hearing.

July 23, 2021

St. Petersburg Launches a Comprehensive Arts Strategy

Four-point plan aims to make St. Pete the “Preeminent City of Arts in the Southeastern U.S.

July 29, 2021

The Florida Orchestra: The Rock Stars In Our Back Yard

Florida Orchestra brings music back to Tampa Bay after Covid-19. They formed a task force to make sure they followed all Covid-19 protocols.

July 29, 2021

Low ground shot of sun coming up between the buildings

City of St. Pete creates Fighting Chance Fund

To provide relief to small businesses impacted by local COVID-19 orders, the City of St. Petersburg has created the Fighting Chance Fund.

April 7, 2020

Outlook on Potential Fifth Coronavirus Stimulus Package

Democrats believe a fifth coronavirus stimulus package is needed to combat COVID-19 and prop up the economy, while Republicans want to take a pause.

April 28, 2020

SPC offers Free & Discounted Courses to Businesses

St. Petersburg College Workforce Institute would like to provide businesses with a FREE "Today's Technology Essentials" online/self-paced class.

April 28, 2020

Updates from the City of St. Petersburg

Learn more about the Fighting Chance Fund, StPete2050 Second Community Survey, and Canceled Workshop Series.

April 28, 2020

Pinellas County CARES Stimulus Grants

Pinellas County has initially identified up to $35 mil in emergency relief funds to support the small businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 7, 2020

New House Heroes Act

The new House Heroes Act has several provisions that may be of interest.

May 15, 2020

Senate Republicans Explore Differing Approaches on State and Local Aid

Senate republicans explore differing approaches on State and Local aid as they discuss the alternatives for aid while they craft the next response package.

May 15, 2020

Coastal High Hazard Area map for Pinellas County

Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA) Amendments Scheduled For Public Hearing

The CHHA amendments have now been scheduled for public hearing. The subject matter will be taken up in two different agenda item formats.

May 22, 2020

Senate Seeking to Extend Paycheck Protection Program

Senator Marco Rubio is negotiating an agreement to extend the PPP loan forgiveness period to as many as 16 weeks.

May 22, 2020

FEMA Releases COVID-19 Guidance for the Hurricane Season

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the “COVID-19 Pandemic Operational Guidance for the 2020 Hurricane Season.”

May 22, 2020

Treasury Secretary Mnuchin speaking at the White House

Mnuchin Predicts Another Supplemental Bill Will Probably be Needed

Yesterday Treasury Secretary Mnuchin said he expects an additional supplemental bill will likely be needed.

May 22, 2020

Senate Heads Into Recess with No PPP Update

The Senate went into recess last night without voting on a proposal by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to make changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

May 22, 2020

NOAA Predicts Busy Hurricane Season to Collide with COVID-19

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) yesterday released its 2020 hurricane season forecast.

May 22, 2020

Top of the Capitol Building in overcast weather

Senate Extends PPP Deadline To August 8

The Senate cleared legislation to extend the deadline for businesses to apply for COVID aid under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

July 1, 2020

University Of South Florida Now Consolidated

The University of South Florida began operating under a single accreditation for the Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.

July 7, 2020

Source St. Pete

The Greater St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation is compiling “ Source St. Pete,” a listing of local sources for COVID-19 related supplies.

July 10, 2020

Man riding a bike passing by rentable scooters

Downtown St. Petersburg Mobility Study

In partnership with the City of St. Pete & the Florida Department of Transportation, Forward Pinellas is conducting the Downtown St. Petersburg Mobility Study.

July 10, 2020

Council Passed the First Reading of the Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA)

With a vote of 7-1, City Council voted to continue to make progress with the Coastal High Hazard discussion.

August 21, 2020

Hands placing vote envelope into poll box

#TeamTampaBay Poll Workers

#TeamTampaBay are seeking support from the SPDP’s membership for their collective effort to recruit poll workers for the upcoming election on November 3rd.

August 28, 2020

Smiling schoolgirl with accompanying adult

Pinellas County Lunch Pals

With the help of over 130 business and community partners in Pinellas County, Lunch Pals change the lives of almost 2,000 kids each year.

September 11, 2020

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg’s New Leaders Say They Will Strengthen Historic Community Ties

One top goal of the new leaders at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg will be to build on the hospital’s legacy in the community.

October 28, 2020

Karyna Rosario sitting in a lab with a lab coat and gloves

City of St. Petersburg Supports USF Efforts to Further Enhance Diversity with New Pledge to College of Marine Science

The City of St. Petersburg has contributed $125,000 to the University of South Florida Foundation to help enhance diversity in the ocean sciences.

October 30, 2020

Interior signage for Homeowners Financial Group

Homeowners Financial Group: All About Family

In 2019, the Homeowners Financial Group branch in St. Pete, led by Tammy Boldt, won Branch of the Year. We asked Boldt how her team achieved this honor.

November 9, 2020

USF St. Petersburg campus walkway with overarching trees and university pole banner

St. Pete 2.0: Understanding the Role of USF’s St. Petersburg Campus in the Community [Survey]

As USF’s St. Pete campus continues to evolve, we want to engage locals & ask your opinion on how the university & business community can strengthen partnerships

December 8, 2020

Trop Redevelopment Will Live Up to Promises to Black Community, City Leaders Say

City leaders emphasize promises to the Black Community to ensure their wellbeing and opportunities as the Trop redevelopment project take way.

December 11, 2020

USF St. Petersburg campus building in sunny weather

St. Pete 2.0: Understanding the Role of USF’s St. Petersburg Campus in the Community [Survey Results]

In this edition of St. Pete 2.0, we asked Catalyst readers and SPDP members to share how the university and business community can strengthen partnerships.

December 31, 2020

St. Pete Workforce Resource text overlaying aerial photo of Downtown St. Pete

St. Petersburg EDC's Workforce Resource Map 2.0 Available Now

The Greater St. Pete Area EDC released the 2.0 version of Workforce Resource Map with enhancements to better meet the needs of growing businesses in St. Pete.

August 8, 2019

Update on Community Relations Position at USF’s St. Petersburg campus

In July, SPDP invested into its Higher Education priority by partnering with the City of St. Pete, the St. Pete Innovation District, & the USF St. Pete campus.

January 4, 2022

Molly Alexander - Executive Director, Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation

For 30+ years, Molly Alexander has enjoyed a successful career focused on downtown revitalization and economic development.

February 3, 2022

USF's Center of Excellence in Environmental & Oceanographic Science

SPDP’s highest legislative priority in 2022 was funding for the Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research & Teaching Facility on USF’s St. Pete campus.

April 1, 2022

Dawn Shirreffs, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Florida Director

As the Environmental Defense Fund’s Florida Director, Dawn Shirreffs leverages scientists and economists to help Florida to better address climate change.

April 15, 2023

Mayor Welch Highlights Progress and Priorities After 100 Days in Office

On Friday, Mayor Kenneth T. Welch celebrated his 100th day in office. The milestone is an opportunity for him to reflect, evaluate, and look forward.

April 18, 2022

Kate Tiedemann, Ellen Cotton, and others stand together showcasing financial gifts

Kate Tiedemann, Ellen Cotton give $14 million to enhance USF finance program

USF announces $14m gifts from Kate Tiedemann & Ellen Cotton that will support the USF Muma College of Business’ vision to be a “hub of excellence” in fintech.

April 18, 2022

Children smiling among art pieces at Wanda summer art camp

WADA Offers Summer Art Camps Led by Local Artists

Students ages 7-11 will have the opportunity to explore their creative sides this summer, learning art and history directly from local artists and educators.

May 2, 2022

Paper heart cutout held in front of St. Pete skyline

City of St. Petersburg Holds Public Meeting for First Community Benefits Agreement Development Project: 800 1st Ave. S.

Earlier this year, the City of St. Petersburg announced the launch of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) program.

May 9, 2022

Community Benefit Commitments of the Two Finalist Developers for Tropicana Field

The Tropicana Field redevelopment project marks the 1st time in the history of St. Petersburg that race equity was a required focal point of a major development

June 14, 2022

The rainbow City of St. Pete flag in front of Tropicana Field

Rays Have a Developer and a Plan For a Stadium. Do They Have a Partner in St. Pete?

It’s decision time in the city. The same momentous, once-in-a-lifetime decision that keeps playing round and round in these parts.

January 30, 2023

Mayor giving press conference in front of Tropicana Field

Partnership Statement of Support For the Gas Plant Redevelopment Plans

We appreciate the approach Mayor Welch used to make this decision. The Hines-Rays team has the means to deliver and honor the history of the site.

January 30, 2023

Photo of single family home next to trees

St. Petersburg Approves Allowing Some Single-Family Homes to become Multifamily

The City Council on Thursday approved allowing owners of nearly 3,000 properties in the urban core to turn them into up to four residences.

March 30, 2023

Partnership Attends Chambers Thinking Outside the Burg Trip to Austin

The Downtown Partnership’s, Jason Mathis, and Nicole Roberts, plan to attend the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce’s "Thinking Outside the 'Burg" Trip to Austin.

April 13, 2023