ST. PETE, Fla. — The city of St. Pete is helping construct a plan to transform the four-block area under I-275 near the heart of downtown.
The area, dubbed Trails Crossing, spans from 1st Avenue North to 3rd Avenue South. The stretch of I-275 has historically divided a number of growing neighborhoods like the Edge District, Historic Gas Plant District, Grand Central District and Warehouse Arts District.
Trails Crossing would essentially link together the neighborhoods.
Cheryl Stacks, Transportation Manager for the city of St. Pete, said her team has been working closely with the community group Friends of Trails Crossing to create a plan for the space. Early concepts show the area could be turned into a mix of performance and art areas, parks, a spot for an outdoor market and outdoor recreation areas.
Right now, it’s primarily used for parking, but Stacks said due to the location, it’s underutilized.
What You Need To Know
Community meeting set for 6 p.m. Thursday at the President Barack Obama Main Library Auditorium located at 3745 9th Ave. N.
City will show latest concept designs, ask for feedback at meeting
Trails Crossing still in planning stages
CLOSER LOOK: Concept designs of Trails Crossing
“The area is a little complicated because it’s under I-275,” she said. “So it is important for us to understand what people want to do with that space, but also compare it to what is physically possible and what is allowable from a regulatory standpoint.”
Stacks said they’re working closely with FDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to make sure to follow all safety guidelines.
The community is invited to a public meeting regarding the project set for 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the President Barack Obama Main Library Auditorium located at 3745 9th Ave. N. There, the city plans to show the latest renderings for the project and ask for community feedback.
The City of @StPeteFL is working on a plan to give the 4-block stretch under I-275 near downtown St. Pete a big makeover. What is now parking or rundown areas, will be brand new and connect neighborhoods at the heart of the city.
Community meeting set for 6 p.m. tonight @BN9 pic.twitter.com/4q2WAIfZ1W
— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) January 29, 2026
Chris Arnold, Executive Director of the Grand Central District Association, says the neighborhood has evolved so much over the last decade. What started as a few antique shops and tattoo parlors has boomed into a vibrant and fun neighborhood full of things to do.
“It’s just that one piece in the middle that we haven’t fixed yet, and that’s why we’re so excited about the Trails Crossing project,” he said.
Arnold said it’s the final piece of the puzzle needed to really connect the city together.
“If you told someone that they would be able to walk from downtown to 23rd, 24th, 25th St, even 10 years ago… you would have never thought it was happening,” he said. “Now we can walk all the way downtown because it’s connected the entire way. The only spot that’s not is underneath the overpass.”
Jon Dean, owner of Balance House Studio & Cafe, says more connectivity only means good things for the growing neighborhood.
“It’s not super built out yet, but I see it — I see the action moving this way,” he said. “I think connecting the neighborhoods is a positive for most of the businesses.”