ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Funding for the Complete Streets program was among the topics addressed by the city budget director during a presentation at Thursday’s St. Petersburg City Council Committee of the Whole meeting. 

“The Complete Streets funding increased by $400,000 in FY27, from $1.15 million to $1.55 million, and by $450,000 in FY28 through FY31,” Budget Director Liz Makofske said when going over details of the Community Investment Plan (CIP) preliminary budget for the 2027 fiscal year.

What You Need To Know

Funding for the Complete Streets program was among the topics addressed by the city budget director during a presentation at Thursday’s St. Petersburg City Council Committee of the Whole meeting

More funding for Complete Streets was one of the issues brought up the most during a recent budget open house — particularly when it comes to the need for roadway improvements to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South

Friends of Trails Crossing, a local not-for-profit, is spearheading the redevelopment of properties spanning two blocks of Dr. MLK South, called the Looking Glass Initiative. It aims to bring a teaching garden, community center, affordable food access, and more to the neighborhood

There are still months of talks ahead before St. Pete’s budget is finalized. The city council is expected to vote on whether to adopt it in September

According to the city’s website, “Complete Streets makes strategic transportation network connections and improvements within St. Pete’s grid of streets, taking into account the surrounding uses they’re intended to serve.”

Makofske told the council that the preliminary FY27 funding for the program is made up of $650,000 in the Citywide Infrastructure Capital Improvement Fund, $550,000 in the Multimodal Impact Fees Capital Improvement Fund, and $350,000 in the Parking and Transportation Capital Improvement Fund.

More funding for Complete Streets was one of the issues brought up the most during a recent budget open house — particularly when it comes to the need for roadway improvements to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South.

Kate Johnson was one of those who spoke on the topic. She plans to open a bookstore, Pages & Perks, in the 900 block of the street this summer. 

“We don’t have anywhere that’s real close by here that we could just grab a coffee real quick or you can go sit and hang out and work. So, I thought it was important to have a space where it’s like a gathering space. Air conditioning, Wi-Fi,” Johnson said.

John Barkett, who owns the building Johnson will call home, said he’s been pushing for road and traffic changes in the area for years.

“This is it. This is what I’m talking about, right?” Barkett said during an interview with Spectrum News when a woman in a wheelchair and a man with her got stuck in the middle of Dr. MLK South while trying to cross the street as traffic whizzed past. “Are you guys okay?”

“That happens all the time,” said Johnson.

She said her store’s location is great for visibility, but the roadway leaves something to be desired.

“Our door opens right to where the street is, so families are coming in, and kids are running out. It would be wonderful to have a buffer between our front door and the speeding by cars,” Johnson said.

“You’ll notice we’ve got five lanes of traffic probably doing about 45 miles an hour on average here on Dr. MLK South. We’ve got a bus stop right against traffic,” said Barkett.

Barkett’s not-for-profit, Friends of Trails Crossing, is spearheading the redevelopment of properties spanning two blocks of Dr. MLK South, including the one Johnson’s store will be in. It’s called the Looking Glass Initiative. It aims to bring a teaching garden, community center, affordable food access, and more to the neighborhood.

Barkett told Spectrum News he’s been talking with PSTA, Forward Pinellas, and the city about changing the traffic pattern in the area and making improvements, like moving a bus stop a block over and away from traffic.

“It’s these little things, and you put them all together that make a bigger impact — push button crosswalks, moving bus stops, vacating alleys that are used for illegal dumping,” said Barkett.

Johnson she’d like to see some of the Complete Streets funding spent along MLK South.

“It needs to come to South St. Pete because it’s the next place where people can afford to live, right? So, as communities are being pushed down this way, the budget and the city needs to reflect that,” she said.

There are still months of talks ahead before St. Pete’s budget is finalized. The city council is expected to vote on whether to adopt it in September.