How Should St. Pete Redevelop Tropicana Field Site, Mayor Welch Asks

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Mayor Ken Welch will host a series of community engagement events to hear from the public about their priorities for the Tropicana Field and Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment plans, according to a city news release.

The mayor announced at the end of June that the city was canceling the request for proposals to redevelop the 86-acre Tropicana Field site that was issued in July 2020 to launch a new RFP process later this summer.

He said the focus area’s redevelopment will focus on affordable housing, equitable development and less office space.

The first of these community conversations takes place Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete at 2333 34th Street S.

• Related Story: Tropicana Field Redevelopment: Mayor Welch Restarts RFP Process

People are invited to participate in subject matter expert-led conversations addressing themes about redevelopment priorities that include — but are not limited to — equitable economic opportunities, affordable and workforce housing, economic impact, jobs, sustainability, equity and community impact, the city said.

RSVP to Tuesday’s community conversation here or provide input virtually here, if you’re unable to attend.

The community input will be used as Welch’s administration crafts the new request for proposals for the site’s redevelopment. The RFP will be released in August.

"Equitable redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District must respond to current economic conditions, challenges and questions facing our St. Petersburg community,” the mayor said. “Public engagement is a key component in ensuring we are responding to residents' needs. I look forward to the opportunity to hear from you about this generational project.”

Additional community engagement sessions will be held July 19 at the St. Petersburg College Gibbs campus and July 28 at University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus.