In mid-November, the city of St. Petersburg plans to open a 30-day window inviting developers to submit new proposals for all or part of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District \u2014 the land under and around Tropicana Field.<\/p>\n
On paper, that sounds like progress, but it isn\u2019t proper planning. The 30-day notice is a procedural step under Florida Statute 163.380, now being used as an open call for development ideas, something it seems the law never intended. It looks like competition without rules \u2014 no published criteria, no proof of financial capacity and no fair way to compare proposals. That\u2019s not how most major civic projects are managed.<\/p>\n
Florida law seems pretty clear to me: before public land in a redevelopment area can be sold or leased, a formal redevelopment plan must be in place. The statutes governing this process \u2014 163.360, 163.362 and 163.380 \u2014 spell out what that plan must include: the street grid, land uses and other key elements that define how an area will develop. Those details come first. The city\u2019s Intown community redevelopment area plan doesn\u2019t appear to include them for the Gas Plant site, which raises fundamental questions about whether this 30-day process meets the intent of state law.<\/p>\n
In short, the city\u2019s current notice may comply procedurally, but it does not appear to do so substantively. The 30-day process seems to be designed for small parcels within established districts, rather than for an 86-acre site that should begin with a comprehensive plan, not an open call for ideas.<\/p>\n
The same statute also requires developers to demonstrate their financial and legal ability to carry out their plans, information that the city does not appear to have requested nor established criteria for evaluating.<\/p>\n
The real issue isn\u2019t speed, it\u2019s sequence. Every successful city follows the same pattern: (1) Plan first \u2014 define goals for housing, jobs and culture, (2) Design the framework \u2014 set the grid, parks and zoning, (3) Choose partners \u2014 let qualified developers compete to implement the plan.<\/p>\n
Cities that skip the planning phase end up reacting to private visions instead of advancing public goals. Cities that have got it right include Denver\u2019s redeveloped Stapleton Airport and D.C.\u2019s Walter Reed.<\/p>\n
Planning first, development second \u2014 that\u2019s what protects the public interest. When the grid, park, and zoning are set, developers compete with clear rules. The city keeps control and receives fair market value for its land.<\/p>\n
Some say gathering ideas can\u2019t hurt. But without a plan, \u201cideas first\u201d creates confusion \u2014 glossy renderings that reflect a developer\u2019s business model, not public goals. Debate shifts from what should be accomplished on the land to which picture looks best.<\/p>\n
The risk is already visible. The only full-scale proposal now circulating, from the Ellison\/ARK\/Horus group, includes an innovation hall and entertainment venue. Each sounds impressive, but who decided these are the city\u2019s priorities? Who would pay to build and operate them? What evidence shows they\u2019d succeed? Do these elements compete with or replace the Mahaffey Theater, the St. Pete Coliseum and Jannus Live? And where is the proof of the developer\u2019s capacity for a project of this size?<\/p>\n
What should St. Petersburg do? Stop treating a legal notice as a planning process and return to planning before you build.<\/p>\n
A sound path forward would: 1. Hire a nationally recognized planning and economics team to create a Gas Plant Framework Plan defining the grid, parks and land uses. 2. Engage residents and local stakeholders in shaping it. 3. Adopt the framework before any land is sold or leased. 4. Then decide whether to issue one or several structured requests for proposals to qualified developers.<\/p>\n
Those choices \u2014 how many parcels, what uses, what timing \u2014 belong inside the planning process, not outside it.<\/p>\n
Under the circumstances, the city should pause discussions with developers, adopt a formal redevelopment plan and restore public trust. Doing so would strengthen its legal standing, negotiating leverage and civic credibility.<\/p>\n
Independent civic partners such as Envisioning the Gas Plant can help. This community-based initiative brings together residents, business leaders, and experts to offer input before commitments are made \u2014 not to oppose City Hall but to help it succeed.<\/p>\n
The Gas Plant is St. Petersburg\u2019s generational opportunity to connect growth and shared prosperity.<\/p>\n
Plan first. Build right.<\/p>\n