St. Petersburg Seeks New Ideas for Historic Gas Plant District Makeover

St. Petersburg officials want fresh plans for the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District site. This comes after an unexpected pitch landed on their desk in October 2025.

Starting mid-November 2025, the city will open a month-long window for builders to submit their visions. They can buy, lease, or construct on the land. This step follows Florida Statute 163.380's rules about handling surprise building plans.

"Honoring the promises made to our community, including the residents of the Historic Gas Plant District, has been a top priority of my administration," said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, according to I Love the Burg. "I intend to ensure that any redevelopment reflects the values and priorities of our entire community — honoring our history while creating pathways for inclusive progress and a thriving future for all in our city."

The October pitch sketches out a mix of structures. Plans show space for the Woodson African American History Museum, low-cost homes, and a hub where new companies can take root.

Fun sits at the heart of this blueprint too. A music hall, open-air stage, and sprawling green space could host major events like South by Southwest. Short streets and winding paths would connect these spots.

Smart thinking went into the layout: it works with or without a baseball field. This flexibility lets planners adapt while sports venue talks continue. Trees and gardens would fill any empty spots.

Want to pitch an idea? Send a note to St. Petersburg's Real Estate and Property Management team at business@stpete.org. Once the city posts its notice in November, they'll start weighing new suggestions.