Plans to create a state-of-the-art facility in the Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field, fell through in March 2025. While a new redevelopment proposal<\/a> also includes the museum, its current home is in desperate need of upgrades.<\/p>\n \u201cIdeally, we would have loved to have turned some dirt by now,\u201d Scott said of the previous plans. \u201cBut as we haven\u2019t, we\u2019ll continue to move forward with hope and anticipation for what the future holds.\u201d<\/p>\n Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, motions towards a rendering of a new facility in a redeveloped Historic Gas Plant District at a flag-raising ceremony in February 2024. Those plans fell through in March 2025. Photo by Mark Parker.<\/p>\n A former rental office and community center in Jordan Park, the state\u2019s oldest public housing community, has housed the museum since it opened in 2006. While a purpose-built facility is the ultimate goal, Scott appreciates the South St. Pete site\u2019s historical significance and the opportunity to improve the building.<\/p>\n The state awarded Scott and the museum a $1 million African American Cultural and Historical Grant in 2022, \u201cwith hopes to be able to use it toward our new museum.\u201d However, \u201cbecause things remain in flux, it was use it or lose it.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott is now using the money to renovate bathrooms, improve the cooling and heating system, enhance lighting and install new flooring. The project will elevate the visitor experience and help preserve the historic building\u2019s integrity.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s progress,\u201d Scott said. \u201cAnd for me, it\u2019s a promise that folks are still engaged and respectful of our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n Facility limitations have prevented the museum from hosting certain exhibitions, despite \u201cvery creative\u201d efforts to modify the space. The latest upgrades will \u201cheighten our ability to bring in some art and artifacts,\u201d Scott said.<\/p>\n A lack of security, other protocols and space will still prevent the Woodson from \u201cbeing the museum that we\u2019re hopeful to become,\u201d Scott said. She also pledged to continue enhancing \u201cwhere we are, and doing as magnificent a job as we can.\u201d<\/p>\n She believes that increasing the Woodson\u2019s profile now \u2013 and continuing to earn admiration from the community, region and state \u2013 will help elevate the museum when it moves into a new facility. \u201cThere\u2019s a starting ground everywhere, and this happens to be foundational work,\u201d Scott explained.<\/p>\n Administrative offices will temporarily operate from the Enoch Davis Center. Programming will remain active at partner venues, including the Barack Obama Main Library<\/a> and the James Museum<\/a> of\u00a0Western & Wildlife Art.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means everything to us to know that they support our initiatives and that they\u2019re to fill in the gaps as and when needed,\u201d Scott said. \u201cWe also look to be that partner to these other entities \u2026 when we\u2019re up and running, as we have in the past. Partnerships \u2013 without them, none of us can survive.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we\u2019re grateful to have built such a reputation that folks are willing, interested and kind enough to share their space for us.\u201d<\/p>\n New renderings of a purpose-built Woodson African American Museum of Florida won several awards in 2025. Image: Storyn Studio for Architecture.<\/p>\n The future<\/p>\n Mayor Ken Welch, who has repeatedly advocated<\/a> for a new Woodson Museum in a reimagined Gas Plant District, is also a staunch supporter. The Rays committed $10 million to a previously estimated $38.3 million project, which would have opened with a new stadium in 2028.<\/p>\n Scott withdrew a $10 million<\/a> tourist development tax funding request in February 2025 due to uncertainty surrounding the Gas Plant\u2019s future. The city secured development rights around the Trop after the Rays exited the previous deal in March, and Welch subsequently reiterated that affordable senior housing and a new Woodson Museum are priorities.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe importance of our history and the connection between the Woodson and Historic Gas Plant is very strong, so we\u2019ll get it done,\u201d Welch previously told the Catalyst. \u201cThe city has made investments and agreements with the Woodson on the Deuces (22nd Street South), but I believe the Historic Gas Plant is the right site.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Terri-Lipsey-Scott-Woodson-rendering-1024x813.jpg\")
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