Central Avenue Walkability | St. Pete Downtown Partnership

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The experiential retail corridor along Central Ave is one of downtown St. Petersburg’s greatest assets. The Downtown Partnership is helping to lead a public-private effort along Central Ave to enhance walkability and preserve and strengthen the retail environment.

A pilot program, on the Jannus Block (between 2nd Street and 3rd Street) aims to reduce angled parking places and replace the parking with expanded sidewalks and plazas that can better accommodate café seating and outside dining areas. The first phase of this project was completed by Kolter Urban in 2025.

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Streetscape improvements in front of the newly completed 42-story Art House condo tower in downtown St. Pete | St. Pete Rising

Central Avenue makeover would prioritize pedestrians over parking in downtown St. Pete

The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, working with planning and design firm Kimley-Horn, has unveiled a new streetscape concept for the 200 block of Central

December 19, 2025

Shaun Drinkard, Vice President, sharing an update on the Williams Park Partnership and urban management enhancements at a recent Developer's Council meeting

October 2025 Work Plan Update

Thanks to support from our members and board, we made progress on many of the priorities we identified in our 2025 Work Plan and kept momentum in our mission.

October 3, 2025

Optimism blooms for Pinellas Trail activation in St. Pete

Several St. Petersburg stakeholders have long advocated for increased activation along a vastly underutilized local asset – the Pinellas Trail.

April 23, 2025

Announcing the 2025 Urban Exploration Trip

Our Urban Exploration trip is a one-day field trip is offered to Supporter and Sponsor level members of the Partnership to tour urban projects in other cities t

January 13, 2025

St. Petersburg developers and downtown stakeholders meet to learn more about the Atlanta BeltLine

Is Atlanta’s BeltLine a model for local success?

St. Petersburg developers and downtown stakeholders now wonder if they can apply the Atlanta’s BeltLine’s most successful aspects to the Pinellas Trail

October 25, 2023

Community leaders visit Atlanta, Georgia

Local leaders glean insight from Atlanta developments

Nearly two dozen civic and business leaders recently toured The Battery Atlanta, Truist Park and the Atlanta Beltline

November 29, 2023

Downtown St. Pete has a construction conundrum

City officials, developers and construction leaders came together to discuss construction and its effects on the walkability of our downtown.

May 24, 2023

Downtown Looper to Expand

The Downtown Looper will expand its route and its hours starting in October 2018 thanks to a $900,000 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.

July 27, 2017

Bike with basket leaning against a yellow wall

Downtown Partnership Receives Bike Friendly Business Designation

In August, the League of American Bicyclists certified the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership as a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business.

October 8, 2021

Colorful trolley passing through an intersection

Looper 2.0 Will Make It Easier and Cheaper for Downtown Residents to Get Around

The changing face of downtown St. Petersburg is prompting a revamped and expanded Downtown Looper.

September 20, 2018

Urban Transit to Preserve Our Quality of Life

The Partnership's urban transportation strategy supports eco-conscious and publicly accessible transportation in St. Pete. Learn more about our initiatives.

January 2, 2020

Love to Ride National Bike Challenge advertisement

Love to Ride May Bike Challenge

Did you know that the SPDP supports Bike/Walk Tampa Bay (BWTB), a coalition created to promote safe walking and bicycling as preferred modes of transportation?

May 1, 2020

PSTA Reveals Name for St. Pete's Bus Rapid Transit Project

A planned bus rapid transit project, which will link Downtown St. Petersburg & St. Pete Beach, reveals branding and name inspired by the areas it will connect.

July 8, 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

Two bicycle riders in the bike lane of a St. Pete road

#CarFreeStPete Is About Changing Your Mind As Much As Changing Your Habits

We're proud to promote #CarFreeStPete for locals visiting Downtown.

April 5, 2019

Downtown St. Pete road lined with cars and palm trees in sunny weather

St. Pete 2.0: Re-Imagine the Future with Driverless Cars

Driverless cars are an innovation that will change the way we travel. Read more about how the SPDP is fostering this innovation in St. Pete's downtown & beyond.

August 26, 2019

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