We\u2019re asking thought leaders, business people and creatives to talk about the upcoming new year and give us catalyzing ideas for making St. Pete a better place to live. What should our city look like? What are their hopes, their plans, their problem-solving ideas? This is Catalyze 2026.<\/p>\n
Corey Givens Jr. learned the importance of collaboration and patience throughout his first year on the St. Petersburg City Council. His big plans for 2026 will likely require both in heavy doses.<\/p>\n
The Federal Aviation Administration was facing an air traffic controller shortage before losing nearly 500 trainees<\/a> during the recent government shutdown. Givens believes local partnerships can help fill those gaps.<\/p>\n He also hopes to see a revitalized 22nd Street South (Deuces) corridor, the de-annexation of Lincoln Cemetery<\/a> and officials address soaring utility bills in the new year. However, his most outside-of-the-box idea is to establish an air traffic controller certification program in St. Petersburg.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important for us to step up and be leaders in the field of aviation,\u201d Givens said. \u201cAnd that also includes us talking about the future of aviation as it relates to electric air taxis<\/a>. With more things flying in the air, you\u2019re going to need more people on the ground controlling that.\u201d<\/p>\n Givens said \u201cvery early\u201d discussions with stakeholders at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, Albert Whitted Airport, Pinellas Technical College and St. Petersburg College have already taken place. Alison Barlow, executive director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District, is also on his list.<\/p>\n A similar certification program is \u201cnot being offered at all at any school\u201d on Florida\u2019s west coast, Givens said. U.S. needs approximately 4,000<\/a> new air traffic controllers, \u201cand we\u2019re going to need to help pipeline some folks into those positions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a number of people we want to engage in this,\u201d Givens added, including the FAA. \u201cBut again, this is the early stages \u2013 literally within the first month.\u201d<\/p>\n He envisions a \u201cstepping stone\u201d certification program that prepares underserved students, particularly those in South St. Petersburg, for further training or education. Ensuring affordability and accessibility is a priority.<\/p>\n Givens represents the culturally significant area known as the Deuces. Many long-planned projects meant to revitalize the historic corridor have encountered delays.<\/p>\n The Deuces Rising Townhomes community will begin welcoming residents in the new year. \u201cWe still don\u2019t know the price of those<\/a> yet,\u201d Givens noted.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to lock in a price point so that we can find prospective applicants,\u201d he continued. \u201cBut we also need to make sure we complete that project sooner rather than later, because costs just keep going up.\u201d<\/p>\n Givens also eagerly anticipates the Manhattan Casino reopening in 2026. Givens wants to ensure the city has \u201cthe right management organization or right leaders managing that facility, because I think that\u2019s going to be important to the success of that city-owned asset.\u201d<\/p>\n Securing a \u201creputable grocer<\/a>\u201d for Tangerine Plaza\u2019s redevelopment is another priority. The local group overseeing the initiative recently received additional time to meet city requirements, despite persistent concerns<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI also want to work with Positive Impact to relocate them somewhere along the Deuces,\u201d Givens said. \u201cBecause that is where they need to be \u2013 in the heart of a food-insecure community.\u201d<\/p>\n He stressed the importance of ensuring the Merriwether site<\/a>, once a cultural landmark, provides affordable housing for residents who earn less than 80% of the area median income. \u201cI want to see people stay in that community,\u201d Givens said.<\/p>\n