Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker has published an open letter regarding the future redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District (the Trop site).
I am sharing it here because I believe his perspective as a former mayor with extensive experience in downtown redevelopment, parks, and civic planning is important and deserves thoughtful consideration as St. Petersburg considers the future of this historic property.
The discussion about the Trop site is not simply about development. It is also about long-term planning, public priorities, parks and public space, neighborhood connections, and what kind of city we want St. Petersburg to become over the next generation.
That is why the City Council’s call for a pause and a planning framework is so important, and why Home Runs Matter has consistently advocated for planning first before major redevelopment decisions are made for the site.
The following open letter by former Mayor Rick Baker originally appeared in the St. Pete Catalyst and is reposted here with permission.
