The Gas Plant site in St. Peterburg after Rays baseball ends at tropicana field
Mayor Ken Welch says the Gas Plant generates interest around the world. So why move forward after only two local bids and an offer far below the City’s own appraisals?
See where St. Petersburg mayoral and District 6 City Council candidates stand on the future of the Historic Gas Plant District—and whether they support city-led planning or a master developer …
Cities create value by creating great neighborhoods. Why should the value the City creates benefit a single developer rather than the citizens who already own the land? Vision. Control. Value.This …
The Historic Gas Plant redevelopment will unfold over decades. Markets will change, priorities will evolve, and unexpected challenges will arise. That is why St. Petersburg should retain control of the …
The Historic Gas Plant is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a signature public park. But before deciding its size, design, or location, St. Petersburg should first answer a more fundamental …
Before deciding what should be built on the Historic Gas Plant District, St. Petersburg should decide what kind of city it wants to become. That means asking whether I-175—and every …
As reported by St. Pete Rising, two downtown St. Petersburg properties totaling just 1.8 acres sold for $32.5 million—about $18 million per acre.That price didn’t happen by accident. It reflects …
Across the country, several high-profile redevelopment projects began with developer proposals before a comprehensive public plan was in place. Many resulted in delays, cost overruns, lawsuits, and scaled-back promises. These …
New appraisals of the St. Petersburg Gas Plant redevelopment site raise major questions about public value, city planning, leadership, and whether the process should now be paused before irreversible decisions …
A recent Florida stadium land proposal raises a larger civic question: Should government independently determine the value of public assets before committing them to private development? This is Part 2 …
An elderly couple asks their attorney to sell valuable land for the benefit of charity while also respecting the surrounding community. But did he truly determine what the property was …
Former Mayor Rick Baker shares his perspective on planning, parks, public space, and the future redevelopment of St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District.
St. Petersburg’s public meeting on the Historic Gas Plant site was supposed to provide clarity. Instead, major questions about affordable housing, infrastructure costs, appraisals, and whether the city should lead …
If the city can successfully lead a $165 million marina redevelopment, why would it take a different approach for the much larger and more important Gas Plant site?
The city is proposing to borrow $600 million for stormwater and resiliency—while also considering plans that could give away up to $1 billion in public value at the Gas Plant …
What happens when a city leads its own development? Denver’s Stapleton shows how planning first, setting the rules, and then bringing in developers creates stronger, long-term results.
The City of St. Petersburg is preparing to select a developer for the Gas Plant site—potentially at a steep discount. A city-led approach could preserve long-term value, control, and better …
City Council voted 6–2 to pause and plan first. So why is the Mayor moving forward anyway—and what questions still need answers?
A growing disconnect is emerging over the future of St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant site. While City Council has called for a planning-first approach, the administration continues to advance a …
Mayor Welch recently suggested that Home Runs Matter is advocating for “million-dollar condos” and delaying progress at the Gas Plant site. That’s not accurate. Here’s what has actually been proposed—and …
St. Petersburg has narrowed the Gas Plant site to four proposals—but they point in fundamentally different directions. That’s not progress. It’s a signal that the city has not yet decided …
The 86-acre Historic Gas Plant site surrounding Tropicana Field — one of the most important public redevelopment opportunities in St. Petersburg. A closer look at the planning-first approach and why …
As St. Petersburg considers the future of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant site, recent litigation underscores why structure, sequencing, and meaningful competition matter before entering into a long-term master development …
The Historic Gas Plant District before Tropicana Field. The next decision will shape generations. What Was Actually SubmittedNine proposals were submitted in response to the City’s notice regarding redevelopment of …
Yesterday, I wrote about what the seven development proposals tell us about the sequencing question facing the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant site.Today, the Tampa Bay Times published my op-ed, “Order …
The 86-acre Historic Gas Plant surrounding Tropicana Field in downtown St. Petersburg What the Seven Gas Plant Proposals Tell Us About St. Petersburg’s Redevelopment ProcessIn January, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken …
On Thursday, February 5, just two days after development proposals were received by the city, the St. Petersburg City Council met and voted 6–2 in favor of a resolution calling …
The Gas Plant, Part Three: Keeping Redevelopment on Track for DecadesThis is the third post in a series on the future of the Gas Plant site.Post one explained that the …
Spectrum News / Bay News 9 reports today that Ken Welch is defending his approach to redeveloping the Historic Gas Plant District — a proposal-first approach that would sell the …
The Gas Plant, Part Two: Why Selling the Entire Site at Once Is Too Risky — and Could Cost the City More Than $1 BillionA quick clarification up frontWhen I …
Conceptual master plan image from the City of St. Petersburg’s 2018 Tropicana Field planning study prepared by HKS.This City-commissioned planning work shows the kind of plan-first approach St. Petersburg has …
READ THIS IF YOU DON’T READ ANYTHING ELSEThese “developers” are largely assembling the same teams of planners and experts that the City can—and should—hire directly.So ask yourself:Why do we need …
Earlier today, I spoke at City Hall about the future of the Gas Plant site.This decision is not about whether the site should be developed.It is about whether St. Petersburg …
The Gas Plant – Letter St. Petersburg City Council Executive SummaryThe Gas Plant site is one of the most valuable pieces of publicly owned land in St. Petersburg and presents a once-in-a-generation …
Update: A detailed letter has now been shared with City Council explaining why a City-led, plan-first process is essential before any Gas Plant proposals move forward. [Read the full letter …
Before You BeginThis post explains exactly what must happen, what you need to do today, and why the timing matters.SUMMARY OF KEY FACTSWhat’s happening right nowThe Tropicana Field site covers …
A proposal-first approach for the Gas Plant locks in low value, concentrates risk, and excludes the public. City Council must pause the rush and insist on planning first.
St. Petersburg’s identity is rooted in the arts. As the city plans the future of the 86-acre Gas Plant site, integrating our cultural strengths isn’t optional—it’s essential to creating a …
Tangerine Plaza Shows Why St. Petersburg Must Plan First at the Gas PlantTangerine Plaza is stalled again. It looks like the developer did not have the track record, the financing, …
Stop the 30-Day Process. Don’t Replace It With 90 Days. Plan First.Update – November 2025: Council Member Richie Floyd is planning to present a resolution at the City Council meeting …
Before inviting developers, the City must adopt a real redevelopment plan first.Update – November 2025: This revised version clarifies that while §163.380 doesn’t explicitly say the 30-day process (discussed below) …
The City’s decision to open a 30-day window for new Gas Plant proposals makes little sense. The 86-acre site deserves planning, not a race. Before entertaining more offers, St. Petersburg …
Developers Are Already Making OffersBut selling now undervalues the land, locks in a single vision, and leaves the community without a voice.The Tampa Bays Times recently reported that developer Casey …
