Shaping the Future of St. Petersburg’s Waterfront: Task Force Meeting Recap
The Downtown Waterfront Master Plan Task Force met on Monday, July 22, to discuss key projects shaping St. Petersburg’s waterfront. The meeting featured presentations by Cheryl Stacks from the City of St. Petersburg, and Jared Schneider from Kimley Horn. They covered traffic flow, safety reviews, and future developments. Then, Chris Ballestra from the City of St. Petersburg, communicated an update on the Center for the Arts.
St. Petersburg Pier Approach: Traffic Flow and Safety
- Peak Traffic: Saturday evenings are the busiest.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Activity: Intersections at 2nd Ave NE & Beach Dr and 2nd Ave NE & Bayshore Dr see more pedestrians and cyclists than vehicles.
- Historical Data: Significant pedestrian and bike traffic compared to vehicles on weekends.
- Safety Review: No recent fatalities or serious injuries, though overall crashes increased slightly due to higher usage.
Future Plans:
New SunRunner Station: Scheduled for Fall 2024 at 1st Street and 1st Avenue North.
Electric Tram: Under consideration.
Discussions also included potential changes to traffic patterns and infrastructure, such as smart city intersections, roundabouts, and additional traffic lights, with further input from the Transportation Committee anticipated.
The Waterfront Task Force Recommendations:
The task force recommended to the Public Policy Council on August 30 to submit a letter to the city suggesting a new traffic study at the Pier entrance of 2nd Ave North and Bayshore and 2nd Ave North and Beach. The previous study was conducted in November 2020 during COVID, and it was felt that with the success of the Pier and normal circumstances, the data was likely outdated. The goal is to develop a plan to address vehicle and pedestrian congestion during peak hours. This recommendation will go to the Chamber Board of Directors at the next meeting.
Center for the Arts Update and Upcoming Projects:
- Dali Museum: Expansion plans pending, affecting parking and construction.
- Mahaffey Theater: Reviewing entry plan proposals and infrastructure needs.
- Al Lang Field: Considering updates for future needs.
Development Goals:
Creating open green spaces, improving public access, and providing long-term parking solutions.
Discussions will include the City Marina project, Albert Whitted Airport, the Port of St. Petersburg, and Bayboro Harbor/Salt Creek.
The Waterfront Task Force Recommendations:
The task force also recommended a traffic study of 1st Street South near the Dali Museum and the Mahaffey Theater to determine measures for handling traffic during the Dali Museum addition construction. With limited access routes to the Mahaffey during shows and potential construction disruptions, alternative solutions are needed. This recommendation will also be presented to the Chamber Board of Directors at the next meeting.
Join the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan Task Force
The Downtown Waterfront Master Plan was adopted on June 4, 2015, after a 2012 citizen vote with over 70% support. The plan, reviewed every seven years, aims to protect and enhance waterfront assets.
One of the most valuable benefits of Chamber membership is the opportunity to join advocacy committee meetings. If you're passionate about shaping St. Petersburg’s waterfront, join the task force. Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of every month at 4:00 PM in the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Board Room. Your participation can make a difference.