Q&A with Mayor Ken Welch

St. Petersburg's inclusive culture, skilled workforce, and quality of life attract new businesses to our community and help existing businesses grow. Investments in workforce development, such as St. Pete Works!, provide our residents with skills training and job placement opportunities, ensuring that our business community has access to local talent and our residents benefit from future job growth. Innovative partnerships, such as the Greenhouse, a collaboration between the City and the St. Pete Chamber, provide training, counseling, and programming to grow our small business and entrepreneur community. Strong partnerships with our economic development community, such as the St. Petersburg EDC and Pinellas County Economic Development, market our community to businesses worldwide and have helped to shape downtown St. Petersburg as an attractive destination for business.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch

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On Thoughtful Planning

What are the biggest reservations you hear from the community surrounding development in Downtown? How do you respond to these reservations?

• Gentrification: In response to concerns about gentrification, it's important to highlight that responsible development aims to enhance the existing community without causing displacement. Implementing affordable housing initiatives and engaging in transparent community discussions can help mitigate the negative impacts associated with gentrification. Collaborating with local organizations and residents to develop inclusive strategies ensures that the benefits of development are shared equitably.
• Traffic: Addressing concerns related to increased traffic congestion requires a thoughtful approach to urban planning. Investing in sustainable transportation infrastructure, such as public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly spaces, can help alleviate congestion while promoting a more environmentally friendly and accessible urban environment.
• St. Petersburg Culture: While new development brings economic activity and opportunity, it is critical to preserve the unique culture of St. Petersburg, which has made our community thrive. Inclusive policies, like the creation of the City's Office of Supplier Diversity and Community Benefits Program, aim to ensure new developments incorporate the needs of the community and provide opportunities for all. Community Conversations, like those held around the Historic Gas Plant District and the Historic Manhattan Casino, also provide opportunities to ensure the public has a voice in the continued development of our community.

Can you share details about the ways in which the City intentionally prepares its infrastructure—not just for today's population but projected out into the future?

Our utility infrastructure has significant unused capacity available to serve our projected population growth for many decades to come (see table below). The City’s utility infrastructure was last expanded in the 1970s to serve a projected population of 406,000 residents by 2020. This explosive population growth never materialized. During this same period (1970 to 2020), water conservation measures (low flow toilets, high efficiency washing machines, etc.) greatly reduced the amount of water each resident used per day. This resulted in utility systems with tens of millions of gallons of excess capacity in 2023 – more than enough to accommodate projected population growth in the foreseeable future.

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What would you share regarding stormwater system capacity, with someone who believes our current system cannot support the level of development planned for Downtown? 

New development will only generate additional stormwater if the amount of impervious area on the site is increased. In many cases, new development maintains the existing horizontal footprint of the site while expanding vertically. This type of development will not increase the amount of stormwater generated. For example, if an existing site with 20,000 square feet of impervious area (single story building plus parking lot) is replaced by a 40-story building and parking lot with the same 20,000 square feet of horizontal footprint, no new stormwater will be generated on the site.

The City’s development code does not allow new development to increase stormwater runoff leaving the site and entering the City’s stormwater system. If the development creates more stormwater than existed before, the additional stormwater must be retained onsite for percolation into the ground or released at a rate not to exceed the previous discharge rate. This is achieved through the construction of onsite stormwater detention ponds, swales, or vaults. Therefore, our current stormwater system will not be impacted by new development.

On the Gas Plant District Development

The Gas Plant District Development represents a truly unique opportunity for our community. Does this relieve pressure on office development and affordable housing in Downtown?

The decision to target 1.4 million square feet of Class A office space in the Historic Gas Plant development is a strategic move that not only addresses the scarcity of such office spaces in Downtown St. Petersburg but also reflects a comprehensive approach to urban development.

Leveraging a Public/Private partnership and incorporating a diversity of uses, including hotel, retail, entertainment, and market-rate housing, in the redevelopment plan can offer several advantages:

• Financial Viability: Integrating a mix of uses allows for a more balanced and financially sustainable development. While the demand for residential spaces is significant, incorporating commercial elements such as Class A office space can diversify revenue streams and make the overall project more economically viable.
• Job Creation: The inclusion of Class A office space contributes to job creation within the downtown area. Businesses occupying such spaces often bring employment opportunities, attracting a skilled workforce and fostering economic growth. This can have positive ripple effects on the local economy.
• Urban Activation: Diverse uses, including retail, entertainment, and a hotel, contribute to urban activation. This creates a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, attracting not only businesses but also residents and visitors. The mix of activities promotes a 24/7 urban environment, enhancing the overall livability of the area.
• Public-Private Partnership: Public-private partnerships bring together the expertise of both sectors, combining resources, knowledge and capabilities. This collaboration can lead to more efficient and successful development outcomes. The partnership model allows the public sector to contribute to the project's infrastructure, while the private sector handles the operational aspects.
• Destination Appeal: A well-designed and diversified development, including a hotel and entertainment options, can position the Historic Gas Plant as a destination. This appeal not only attracts businesses looking for Class A office space but also draws visitors and tourists, further contributing to the economic success of the project.
• Non Market-Rate Housing: The project includes 1,200 affordable and workforce housing units, 600 of which will be located on the Historic Gas Plant District site. These units represent a significant investment in advancing the City's Housing Opportunities For All Plan.

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On Workforce and Business Growth

Downtown is experiencing 5-year job growth that outpaces the region and state. What is happening locally to bolster these job counts?

St. Petersburg's inclusive culture, skilled workforce, and quality of life attract new businesses to our community and help existing businesses grow. Investments in workforce development, such as St. Pete Works!, provide our residents with skills training and job placement opportunities, ensuring that our business community has access to local talent and our residents benefit from future job growth. Innovative partnerships, such as the Greenhouse, a collaboration between the City and the St. Pete Chamber, provide training, counseling, and programming to grow our small business and entrepreneur community. Strong partnerships with our economic development community, such as the St. Petersburg EDC and Pinellas County Economic Development, market our community to businesses worldwide and have helped to shape downtown St. Petersburg as an attractive destination for business.

Downtown has a significant concentration of leisure and hospitality operations, compared to peer downtowns. What enables this segment to succeed in our Downtown?

The success of the leisure and hospitality sector in Downtown St. Petersburg, compared to peer downtowns, can be attributed to a combination of factors that contribute to the area's unique appeal and vibrancy. Several key elements enable the significant concentration and success of leisure and hospitality operations in Downtown St. Pete:

• Cultural Attractions and Events: Downtown St. Petersburg boasts a rich cultural scene with museums, galleries, and performing arts venues. Cultural attractions such as The Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and regular events like the St. Pete Arts Festival contribute to the city's cultural allure. These attractions draw both locals and tourists, creating a steady flow of visitors to the leisure and hospitality establishments.
• Waterfront Location: The city's picturesque waterfront location along Tampa Bay is a major draw for both residents and visitors. The scenic views, waterfront parks, and recreational activities contribute to a leisurely atmosphere that complements the hospitality industry. Waterfront dining, outdoor events, and access to boating and waterfront activities enhance the overall experience of the downtown area.
• Diverse Culinary Scene: Downtown St. Petersburg has developed a reputation for its diverse and vibrant culinary scene. A wide range of restaurants, cafes, and bars offering various cuisines and dining experiences contribute to the area's appeal. The culinary diversity caters to different tastes and preferences, attracting food enthusiasts and contributing to the success of the hospitality sector.
• Entertainment Districts: The presence of well-defined entertainment districts within Downtown St. Petersburg, such as the Central Arts District and the EDGE District, creates a lively and dynamic atmosphere. These districts often feature a mix of restaurants, bars, music venues, and other entertainment options, drawing crowds and contributing to the success of the leisure and hospitality segment.
• Investment in Public Spaces: Downtown St. Petersburg has seen investments in public spaces and amenities that enhance the overall experience for residents and visitors. Well-maintained parks, walkable streets, and public events create an inviting environment. This contributes to increased foot traffic, benefiting leisure and hospitality establishments.
• Tourism and Convention Activities: The city's efforts to attract tourism and host conventions contribute significantly to the success of the leisure and hospitality sector. The availability of accommodation, meeting spaces, and entertainment options makes Downtown St. Petersburg an attractive destination for both leisure travelers and business visitors.
• Community Collaboration: Collaboration between local businesses, government entities, and community organizations plays a vital role. Working together to create a supportive business environment, promote events, and enhance the overall downtown experience helps sustain and grow the leisure and hospitality sector.

St. Petersburg ranks #1 in the state for work-life balance and mental health. What comes to mind in terms of ways companies are promoting happy, healthy workplaces?

In general, employers who promote inclusivity will have a happier workforce. This comes down to:

• Actual practices and not just policies that ensure all employees have equal and equitable access to training and career development
• Transparent training and promotional practices so that employees can clearly see how selections are made
• Open and honest discussions concerning race, sexual preference, and generational differences.
• Zero tolerance policies for comments and actions that show insensitivity toward typically marginalized groups
• Employees have to feel comfortable that they can feel safe addressing transgressions with management.

Work-life balance is also a significant component of happiness, especially with younger generation employees. Factors in striking this favorable balance include:

• The ability to work remotely  
• Establishing communication boundaries unless specifically placed on stand-by or on-call status
• Flexible and generous leave policies  
• Pay policies that focus on living wages and internal equity
• Recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical help.  

What are the segments that the city is actively working to recruit and how?

The Grow Smarter Strategy, an economic development strategy developed between the City and the St. Pete Chamber back in 2014, identified five industries primed for growth and development in St. Petersburg: Marine & Life Science, Data Analytics, Specialized Manufacturing, Creative Arts & Design, and Financial Services. These industries serve as the basis for the City's business attraction efforts. Recently, Pinellas County Economic Development and the St. Petersburg EDC have launched efforts to update their strategic plans, including analyzing key growth industries in our community. The City continues to work with our economic development partners on these efforts, which will provide opportunities to review and refresh these target industries.

What is the latest regarding Grow Smarter?

The Grow Smarter Strategy was developed in 2014. While the impacts of the strategy can be felt throughout our community, such as the creation of the St. Pete Innovation District, the St. Pete EDC, and the advancement of the Historic Gas Plant District, it is now a decade old and in need of an update.

In partnership with the City, the St. Pete Chamber has launched a new effort in 2023 - the Leadership Alliance - to convene key decision-makers and policymakers to discuss topics that are core to our community's growth and overall health. Guided by the City's Five Pillars of Progress, these conversations will lead to new programs, partnerships, and opportunities to grow St. Petersburg's economy.