Before We Vote, We Deserve Clear Answers

I'm beginning a new series about the future of the Historic Gas Plant District. Rather than focusing on one developer or one proposal, the series asks a broader question: How should a city redevelop one of its most valuable public assets?

👉 Read the full article on HomeRunsMatter.

One of the most important public policy decisions in St. Petersburg’s history is now underway.

The question isn’t simply which developer should redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District.

The more fundamental question is:

Who should lead the redevelopment?

For the past several months, I’ve been studying how cities across America have successfully redeveloped major public properties—and how some have not. I’ve reviewed successful projects, projects that struggled, spoken with planning professionals, and examined how cities protect the long-term value of major public assets.

One conclusion keeps emerging:

Cities should plan. Developers should develop.

Today, St. Petersburg is taking a different approach. The City has selected a development team before establishing a comprehensive master plan for the property.

Mayor Welch has argued that the City already knows its priorities: affordable housing, jobs, economic opportunity, and honoring commitments to the Historic Gas Plant community.

Those are important goals.

But goals are not a master plan.

They don’t answer questions like:

• What should happen to I-175?

• Where should the parks be located?

• How should neighborhoods connect?

• Where should civic spaces be?

• What should the district ultimately become?

Those are the kinds of decisions that successful cities make before selecting developers.

This is why I’m beginning a new series built around three ideas:

• Vision

• Control

• Value

The purpose isn’t to advocate for or against any particular developer.

It’s to explore why successful cities establish the vision, retain leadership of the planning process, and protect the long-term value of major public assets.

Before the City Council votes on any redevelopment agreement, St. Petersburg voters will elect a mayor and two new City Council members.

I believe every candidate should clearly explain where they stand before voters cast their ballots in the August primary election.

The first article in the series asks a simple question:

Who should decide the future of I-175?

Read the full introduction and follow the series on Homerunsmatter.com