June 2026 Work Plan Update

Thanks to support from our members and board, we made progress on many of the priorities we identified in our 2026 Work Plan and kept momentum in our mission to champion community prosperity through purposeful, transformative projects. ‍

Updated Downtown Land Use‍

We are working with planning officials to enact new zoning that would increase support for retail and office uses in new downtown projects. We are also working with the City Council to provide a dedicated fund to support artists and arts organizations with proceeds from new downtown development.  

Downtown Improvement District

Resident and storefront surveys have been launched to capture quality of life reactions from both residents as well as storefront owners, managers and operators within Downtown St. Pete. Feedback will help gauge progress on cleanliness, hospitality and public space management priorities. Office and storage space options for the team have been secured. Marketing plan and brand identity, including the website, StPeteDID.org, have been deployed. Currently working with City staff as a final draft of the contract is expected to go to Council in July.

Williams Park Partnership

Capital improvements on the bandshell have begun in April with anticipated completion in September. Other park enhancements are finalizing with construction drawings and work will be completed late summer and early fall. Once construction is completed the park programming will launch in the last quarter of 2026. Logistical planning and fundraising is underway for the Fall ‘26 programming.

‍Historic Gas Plant

We are continuing to provide principles for good development and thoughtful growth including sponsoring a study from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) that documents all the work that has gone into the project in the last decade. We are also working on recommendations from ULI for a development agreement that will ensure commitments for community values over the next several decades while providing flexibility for any private sector developers. 

Central Ave Walkability

We are continuing to work with the City to get the necessary permits, approvals and funding to move forward with sidewalks improvements identified for the portion in front of 200 Central and north side of the Jannus block.

Center for Coastal Resiliency

We have submitted requests to Pinellas County for Employment Site funding and are working with the City grants team to submit a request for funding from the Economic Development Agency. There will be a referendum question on the 2026 ballot that will expand leases on the Port for 25 years to accommodate this project. 

Digital Wayfinding

We are continuing to work with the IKE staff to determine locations for digital way finding signage as well as with City staff to develop a new ordinance allowing the placement of kiosks in St. Petersburg.

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