Charlie Crist’s comments on the Gas Plant point toward a different approach: let the City set the vision, maintain control and preserve the value of this extraordinary public property.
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 …
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 …
Who Should Lead the Redevelopment?St. Petersburg is about to make one of the most important public policy decisions in its history.Who should lead the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant …
The debate isn’t whether one developer or two developers should redevelop the Historic Gas Plant. The real question is who should create the master plan. Drawing on lessons from successful …
Should one developer, two developers, or the City determine the future of the Historic Gas Plant? The real question isn’t who builds it—it’s who creates the plan. Lessons from successful …
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 …
St. Petersburg is evaluating three proposals for the future of the Historic Gas Plant site. But before choosing a proposal, should the city first decide what it wants for this …
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 …
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.
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 …
St. Petersburg’s leaders face complex decisions, but they are not expected to be experts in everything. A formal advisory council can provide the structure and independent perspective needed to make …
As the St. Petersburg mayoral race begins, voters should remember they are choosing the leader of a billion-dollar organization. The question isn’t just who is running—but what kind of leadership …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
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) …
Why Stadium Subsidies Fail Communities Every Time I don’t get it – when will cities ever learn to follow the facts, not the hype, and win in the long run? …
Mayor Welch says he wants the facts about a new convention center. Here they are: if there’s real demand, private developers will step up—without a taxpayer-funded study. Let’s let the …
St. Pete has a rare chance to reimagine the Gas Plant District. But talk of building a convention center – before a master plan even exists – skips the most …
This Is Our Moment: A Vision Worth Exploring, A Plan Worth Getting Right In the heart of St. Pete, we have a chance to create something great. The Gas Plant …
A chance of a lifetime Let’s Get the Gas Plant Right With the Tampa Bay Rays moving on after their lease ends, the city of St. Petersburg regains full control of …
