The Pinellas County Urban League has formally pitched its vision for the next phase of the Deuces Rising redevelopment, centered on a new Sankofa Empowerment Center along St. Petersburg’s historic 22nd Street South corridor.
In a December 30, 2025 proposal to Mayor Welch, the organization outlined plans to anchor Phase II of the city-led project with a mixed-use commercial facility designed to serve as both an economic engine and community hub.
The proposal focuses on the “North Commercial Building,” a planned 28,000-square-foot, two-story development at the southwest corner of 22nd Street South and 6th Avenue South. The project is part of a broader three-phase initiative that includes affordable townhomes already underway and a potential future mixed-use building with housing.
Under the plan, the City of St. Petersburg would construct and own the facility, then enter into a long-term lease with the Urban League, which would serve as the anchor tenant and property manager. The organization would also retain an option to purchase the building over time.
The Urban League’s leadership framed the project as a public-private partnership designed to activate the corridor with consistent programming, business activity and foot traffic. The organization expects to bring a roughly $7 million annual service portfolio into the space, positioning it as a central gathering point for entrepreneurs, residents and visitors.
The building itself is designed to blend multiple uses. Plans call for a mix of retail, office, food service and flexible commercial space, alongside co-working areas and an incubator-style shared business services suite. A portion of the second floor would house the Urban League’s headquarters, relocating its operations to the Deuces corridor.
A key feature is a 6,000-square-foot rooftop terrace envisioned as an event-driven living lounge. The space would host networking events, conferences and community gatherings, with the goal of drawing regional attention while supporting activity along the corridor.
The proposal emphasizes support for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Lease spaces would range from micro-units to larger footprints, with some offered below market rates. The Urban League also plans to provide access to capital, business training, mentorship and technology resources, including shared equipment and software.
By the second year of operations, the organization projects the facility could support around 100 entrepreneurs, including co-working members and traditional tenants.
Beyond economic development, the center is positioned as a community resilience asset. Plans include a built-in emergency operations function, allowing the facility to serve as a coordination hub during disasters. The building could provide supplies, communication resources and recovery support, particularly for vulnerable residents in South St. Petersburg.
The broader vision ties into ongoing revitalization efforts along the Deuces, a historically Black business district that has seen renewed public and private investment in recent years. The Urban League estimates the center could attract up to 100,000 visitors annually and significantly increase corridor activity, helping existing businesses while drawing new development. 
The proposal also builds on the organization’s track record. Over the past decade, its programs and partners have supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and facilitated millions in contracts, grants and financing.
City officials have not yet announced a final decision on the proposal. If approved, the Sankofa Empowerment Center would become a centerpiece of the Deuces Rising initiative and a visible marker of continued investment in South St. Petersburg’s economic and cultural corridor.