Developing strategies to encourage downtown walkability
Through our Car-Free St. Pete initiative, the Partnership will pursue pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and corridors to build on Downtown’s existing walkability. This will include making progress in the Straza concept and potential pilot programs for temporary street closures in high-traffic areas including Central Ave. We will also continue to pursue the Car-Free St. Pete initiative through social and traditional media, consumer events, and operations of the Looper Trolley.
As our urban center continues to grow, it’s important to think creatively and holistically about transportation options. In 1996, the Downtown Partnership was named downtown’s Transportation Management Organization and launched the St. Petersburg Trolley which continues to operate the scheduled daily Downtown Looper and provide private charters for dozens of special events downtown each year – including shuttles to each Tampa Bay Rays game. In more recent years, the Downtown Partnership has launched Car-Free St. Pete, a movement encouraging people to go without their cars in the Downtown area done in partnership with the Looper Group, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, Coast Bike Share, Cross-Bay Ferry, and the St. Pete Pedicab.