The time for decisive action is now
As we face the increasing threat of hurricanes, the urgency for St. Petersburg and Pinellas County to prioritize infrastructure over a new baseball stadium has never been clearer. Investing in hurricane preparedness and essential upgrades is crucial for safeguarding our community's future. The time for decisive action is now—our future depends on it.
Later in November, both the St. Petersburg City Council and the Pinellas County Commission will each be voting as to whether to borrow the money to help pay for a new Rays baseball stadium.
With interest, St. Pete’s cost will be about $672 million, and for Pinellas County about $600 million.
The lessons learned from two storms in quick succession have made it abundantly clear: the risk profile of our communities have changed dramatically, and we can no longer afford to treat hurricane preparedness as an afterthought. We are confronting more extreme weather challenges, and we must re-prioritize accordingly.
They say the first hurricane was a 100 year’s storm – and then we had another one two weeks later. We can’t count on not having another one until 100 years from now.
We cannot endure the catastrophic consequences of shutting down our sewer systems and toilets again; the financial burden of rebuilding homes and replacing damaged furniture is one we cannot shoulder repeatedly; the decline in property values that follows such disasters; and the impact on our beaches, so important to our economy.
With the increased frequency and severity of storms, it is no longer a question of “if” but “when” the next hurricane will strike.
Our Priorities Have Never Been Clearer
To safeguard our community, St. Pete must prioritize investments in hardening infrastructure and building resilience. This includes essential upgrades to water systems, sewer systems, stormwater systems, seawalls, and drainage systems.
To safeguard our beaches, we need to reserve funds for re-nourishment on a regular basis.
While some previously felt that funding a stadium was a reasonable use of vital taxpayer resources, can anyone agree with that now? Wouldn’t the proposed transfer of our tax dollars towards building a baseball stadium now be a negligent oversight?
There is no evidence that funding a stadium will yield a return that benefits the community. However, investing in hurricane preparedness – funding the $5 billion of needed sewer and storm water improvements – are key to protecting our future and ensuring the livelihood of St. Pete. And having the funds to re-nourish our beaches in a timely way after storms will protect a vital part of our economy, tourism.
The recent storms have also put our hospitals at risk of losing power, water, and essential services. We must ensure that our healthcare facilities remain operational during emergencies. This means assessing and upgrading our wastewater plants to withstand potential storm surges of 12 to 15 feet.
We must also develop comprehensive plans to prevent flooding in vulnerable areas, such as around Lake Maggiore, and ensure that our storm water systems can handle increased rainfall and runoff.
A New Comprehensive Analysis is Required
Before we can even consider investing in a baseball stadium, we need to gather concrete data and recommendations regarding our infrastructure needs. Then we can develop a comprehensive plan for our strained waste management and storm water systems.
After we understand our overall needs, City Council can hold Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings to thoroughly discuss the implications of funding a stadium versus investing in vital infrastructure improvements. This approach will ensure that we prioritize the safety and welfare of our community above all else.
And the county needs to do a real analysis of the funds needed for our beaches – now and when the next storm wreaks havoc.
Can we afford the catastrophic flooding of our homes, again? Can we afford to not be able to flush our toilets or drink our water again? Can we afford to lose our beaches?
The time for debate is over. St. Pete City Council and the Pinellas County Commission must take decisive action to protect St. Petersburg and its citizens from the increasing threat of hurricanes. Our future depends on it.
Want to help? Write to the St. Petersburg City Council or the Pinellas County Commissioners here.
