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President COMMITTEES Downtown Neighborhood Association P.O. Box 1003 St. Petersburg, FL 33731 Thanks to  for web hosting
 
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 Candidates for Mayor Answer DNA'S QuestionsSt. Peter's Cathedral Named Local Historic LandmarkDNA to Host Dinner for 13th Annual Florida Neighborhoods ConferenceDNA Awarded Three Neighborhood Partnership AwardsA Brief History of the Waterfront Parks Dressing for a Vacant LotTreasurer's Report Transportation, Baywalk on Schedule for DNA July 9
By Marilyn Olsen
President, DNA
More than 550 new homes have been added to our neighborhood in just the past three years. Added to an increase in visitors, it’s no wonder there are more of us sharing the sidewalks, streets, and favorite destinations.
For most of us, one of the great attractions of living Downtown is being able to walk to a wide variety of restaurants and entertainment venues, art museums and galleries, live theater and movies, the Pier and our parks, and so much more. Beyond that, our neighborhood would easily win any contest for transportation alternatives. A very quick list would offer options that include a trip back in time by horse & carriage to the modern Segways and everything in between. You can fly out of Albert Whitted Airport; explore Tampa Bay by sail boat, power boat, kayak or even floating chapel; hire a limousine or taxi; or even pick up some history on the way with Downtown St. Petersburg Historic Walking Tours or a ride on the Looper Trolley. Of course the most popular long distance options are bicycles, transit, or the combination.
Recently the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) approved a master plan of transportation improvements for our seven-county region. PSTA has just invested in the cutting edge Smart Bus, a sleek hybrid that’s quieter and earth friendly, and we may be getting closer to Bus Rapid Transit downtown.
Speakers at the July 9 general meeting will share exciting plans for navigating our neighborhood, the city and region; how the options will intersect at a new PSTA Intermodal Center; and how we can all share the sidewalks and streets safely. We will also have a chance to meet a representative from Ciminelli, the new property managers of Baywalk for a Q&A on the future of that venue.
Here are some specifics on the speakers:
Brian Bollas is an expert in transportation planning and geographic information systems. For TBARTA, he oversees public comments on the Master Plan. His presentation will include a discussion on what regional transportation solutions mean for St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area.
The other speakers Tim Garling, Executive Director of the PSTA: Joe Kubicki, Director, City of St. Petersburg Department of Transportation and Parking; and Jeff Danner, St. Petersburg City Council Chair who has focused on transportation issues.
The final speaker at the July 9 public meeting will be a representative of Ciminelli, the new property managers for Baywalk, one of the downtown area’s central gathering places for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) submitted questions for individuals who have announced their candidacy for mayor of the City of St. Petersburg in 2009. The questions were reviewed by members of the DNA board of directors, whose work resulted in the following six questions. Eight of the announced candidates—Jamie Bennett, Kathleen Ford, Bill Foster, Scott Wagman, Larry Williams, Paul Congemi, Deveron Gibbons, and Richard Eldridge—responded with detailed answers.
QUESTION 1: What do you see as the future of the St. Petersburg waterfront, with specific reference to (A) the Pier and (B) the Al Lang site?
QUESTION 2: Would you support a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays and, if so, would you place any restrictions on location?
QUESTION 3: The recession has caused a proliferation of empty storefronts, including at Baywalk and along Central Avenue, with vacant lots and code issues Downtown. How would you, as Mayor, address that situation?
QUESTION 4: How do you view the Mayor's role relative to the cultural life and historic preservation of St. Petersburg?
QUESTION 5: The PSTA has proposed a bus rapid transit system for Central Avenue that would connect Downtown with the Gulf of Mexico. Would you support this proposal?
QUESTION 6: There have been many complaints about lax code enforcement in Downtown. Should you become Mayor, how would you respond to those complaints and the situation that prompts them?
Question 1: What do you see as the future of the St. Petersburg waterfront, with specific reference to (A) the Pier and (B) the Al Lang site?
Jamie Bennett We cannot say enough good things about St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront, especially in during the centennial of its creation. Yet, many pieces of the waterfront are victims of the wonderful success we have witnessed during the last two decades. For example, since Beach Drive is home to several successful restaurants, the establishments on The Pier may not enjoy as much success. What our city needs is a vision for all of the downtown waterfront and a mayor that has a long-term plan for improving the entire district, rather than ad-hoc answers for each piece of the waterfront puzzle. What happens at The Pier impacts the waterfront parks, and in turn, what happens at the waterfront parks impacts the Al Lang site, and so on. Specifically, I envision a planning process that identifies the downtown waterfront as one district, from Coffee Pot Bayou to Albert Whitted Airport. And so, when there is long-term planning in one part of the district, there will be an answer as to how that planning impacts the rest of the district. With specific reference to The Pier, I believe we have to Save, Promote and Enhance the St. Petersburg Pier. Saving The Pier means following through on the commitment to rebuild the infrastructure, allocating the TIF money, while not spending additional funds from the city's operating budget during the economic downturn. Promoting The Pier involves redoubling the efforts to make it the focus of our vibrant waterfront. Specifically, we can make The Pier the center of more city and private activities. As Mayor, I will ask city staff, community organizations and our partners in the business and education sectors to make The Pier a priority in their planning efforts. Enhancing The Pier will include transforming the vacant 3rd Floor into a conference center and reception hall. Additionally, I will direct the city staff to investigate the viability of additional recreational programs, which I hope would include a "Splash Park" paid for with money from the Weeki Wachee fund. I will also ask the leadership of the Saturday Morning Market to consider utilizing The Pier as a location for its event. As for the Al Lang site, I have adopted most part of POWW's waterfront referendum language, but am asking the city's legal staff to revise the language to narrow the referendum's focus to the downtown waterfront. I believe most, if not, all of the Al Lang site should be transformed into open green space, although I am open to targeted development for facilites that would blend into the waterfront district. Kathleen Ford We are the beneficiaries of visionaries long ago who recognized the incredible potential of St. Petersburg's public waterfront parks. I worked with my neighbors to further protect and preserve these parks. As many of you know, I previously served as a board member and president for the Northshore Neighborhood Association (now known as HONNA). I worked with other volunteers and City staff to protect our waterfront parks. We successfully supported the "swap" between the CIty (which owned that parcel of land east of the Vinoy townhouses and condominiums and now serves as a storm water retention area) and the Vinoy developers who also owned the old Edgewater Hotel across the street along the waterfront. This land swap provided the critical link to expand our downtown waterfront parks all the way to Coffee Pot Bayou. I attended countless meetings and hearings to support this swap because it was a unique opportunity to add to our wonderful City asset our public waterfront parks. More recently, I took a very active role to prevent Major League Baseball from building a new waterfront baseball stadium and office complex on the Al Lang Field waterfront park site. I volunteered my time to attend neighborhood and business meetings to educate the public about the Rays' waterfront stadium proposal. I attended all three 3 City Council public hearings to speak against this proposal. I served on the steering committee of Preserve Our Wallets and Waterfront with other like minded individuals who wanted to provide further protections to our waterfront park. I worked with the committee to draft additional charter language to protect all of the City's waterfront parks (and an additional charter amendment to give voters an opportunity to vote on the use of public funds or assets for professional sports.) Through the years, I have participated on various task forces and visioning groups that reviewed the parks' use and future park plans. While on City Council, I encouraged Hands On Great Explorations Museum to colocate at Sunken Gardens (moving from the third floor of the Pier) where the parking was easier for small children rather than build another museum on the Pier approach. Since I left City Council both the St. Petersburg Historical Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts expanded their structures on our waterfront parks. The desire to be on those wonderful waterfront parks is tremendous! (I know that the Museum of FIne Arts owns its land as does the St. Petersburg Yacht Club). This means we must be vigilant in protecting this parkland. I have a volunteer and council record which shows that I did this. I am committed to protecting our waterfront parkland in the future, too. Currently, city staff have notified potential bidders of a City proposal for an outside contractor to perform maintenance of Al Lang Field and Walter Fuller Park and schedule use of the facility. I am troubled by the City staff's secrecy in this bid process, especially after the painful and exhausting discourse surrounding the Ray's secret proposal. I am further concerned that land development regulations regarding height restrictions for the Al Lang parcel have been ignored. One cannot help but wonder what these city officials are hiding from us now. It is our public park and the public has a right to know what is being considered and why. I know that it is important to responsibly maintain an expensive grass infield such as exists at Al Lang. How hard would it be for City administrators to offer that explanation to interested citizens when asked? Instead, interested citizens have to find a reporter willing to investigate. We need open, accessible, accountable and affordable city government. I like baseball. I grew up listening to the Milwaukee Braves games on the radio with my grandpa who was also a volunteer scout for the Cardinals after giving up his minor league play. I was an original Devil Rays season ticket holder (we went in with three other families to divvy up 80 games to 20 games with 4 seats each- mini series style something we learned about after e season watching the Houston Astros). My husband's firm and then our law firm (as a successor) had a Tropicana Field stadium suite interest for 10 years. We love the game, supported our local baseball team and raised another generation of fans.( I was a little league volunteer serving in the concession stand while my husband coached both my daughter and my son's little league teams.) That being said, I believe there is a perfectly good stadium where the Rays competed rather well last season. Personally, I do not see a "need" for a new stadium especially where the existing one has significant debt. I drafted a charter amendment (www.stpetepoww.com) to give voters the right to vote on any proposals to use city assets for any new professional sports facilities. The City has debt obligations on the existing stadium and is slated to receive increasing naming rights revenues. I believe the voters should have the final say and the Charter amendment I proposed would clearly spell out all of the costs so that the public, theoretically, would have a better understanding of all of the costs before voting on any new pro sports facilities. Now, a little further down the way from Al Lang Field is the Pier. Our very familiar icon, the Pier, juts out into Tampa Bay luring our waterfront park visitors to experience the shimmering waters of our bay. Recent surveys confirm what most of us intuitively believe-that the Pier is special and that we have to figure out the most economic way to refresh this familiar landmark. No where else in St. Petersburg can the public actually walk out on our Tampa Bay waters and experience the wind, weather, salty breezes, and grand water views. It is a special place. Those salty breezes take their toll, however, and it is necessary to repair the Pier approach infrastructure. An advisory committee has been formed to analyze the choices for the Pier and PIer approach. I am concerned that this committee that does not appear to have all stakeholders present, yet is currently considering design and/or redesign options. I would open up committee participation to include all stakeholders and consider: phased renovations, complete demolition and replacement, and other options that others may bring table. Baywalk and the Pier form an iconic runway intersecting our beautiful waterfront residential and commercial district. The success of our new shops and restaurants along Beach Drive should complement the entertainment and activities at the Pier and Baywalk. Bill Foster •Every square inch of existing green space along the waterfront should be preserved. •Pier. With the exception of the inverted pyramid, built in 1972, the pier itself was built in 1926, and due to its age and the highly corrosive marine environment upon which it stands, the pier is in need of an extreme makeover. Since the city has had a pier feature since 1889, it would be a shame to lose this piece of our heritage as an amenity for our residents and tourists. We do have our work cut out for us: age and condition of Pier; maintenance challenges due to its environment; accessability and parking; and a lack of retail and programming to attract the local resident. At present, the City has begun the visioning process for the future of the pier, and we have barely scratched the surface of ideas. When I was on the City Council, we, along with the county, approved the use of tax increment financing for a pier project, and I will continue to support the use of these funds for such a purpose. However, the expenditure of such a large sum of tax money, your money, regardless of the source, should rest with you, and I believe that a referendum may be in order. Should you decide that the pier is worth saving, then this project must be done right, and I will not support any expenditure which simply maintains the status quo. For $50 to $60 million dollars, you could have a remodeled pier where it now exists, or for an estimated $40 m, you could have a pier for pedestrians, bicycles, and fisherman, with the construction of a brand new facility where Tampa Bay meets the shore. Either way, the facility must be professionally designed and programmed with the local in mind, with desirable retail, restaurant, and event facilities. If the locals wont go and support the pier, then why bother. I personally am attracted to the vision of a new facility on the shore, with a pedestrian fishing pier and outdoor market place extending into Tampa Bay. This would give us the most for our money, and would eliminate the environmental and accessability challenges, while allowing us to maintain our 120 year heritage of having a pier landmark over Tampa Bay. •Al Lang. I would like to preserve Al Lang for baseball use, and am currently working on a plan to keep baseball at Al Lang (not Major League). I am not ready to discuss these plans, but soon. If it cannot be maintained for a baseball and other uses, then it should be returned to park land. Scott Wagman I believe voters want a building on the Pier but maybe not the existing building. The public has to understand that the 50 million dollars being quoted is sufficient to repair the underlying pier approach pilings and road bed only leaving a dilapidated, dysfunctional structure to acquire additional funds as much as 30 to 40 million dollars to restore it to usability. I look forward to the results of the visioning panel as been constituted by the mayor, to provide specific suggestions for the pier building. I believe a combination of repositioning with a new building utilizing TIF funds to finance this new building, can restore a building of Iconic Value and functionality for the benefit of the taxpayers. The Al Lang site should be removed as a potential office building or hotel site. And then dormant until a better plan for future utilization is created I would endeavor to reduce the 1 million dollar a year cost of maintaining the empty stadium to save tax dollars. Larry Williams
THE PIER: The Mayor has established a committee to investigate a plan for the needed repairs and viability of the Pier coming forward. Presently, there are TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds in the amount of $50,000,000.0 available for the sole purpose of the renovation to the Pier. In addition, for years, the pier had to be subsidized by the city in amounts in excess of $1,000,000.00 per year. I believe the amount for this budget year may be as high as $1,500,000.00. If that is the case, I will begin by allowing the committee to finish its task and from those findings, I would determine answers to two important questions: 1. Would the TIF funds of $50,000,000.00 be enough monies to complete all renovations? Thus, assuring that no additional funds would be needed to complete the renovations. 2. Can we develop a plan whereby the Pier is self sustaining? Assuming those two questions produce ‘yes' and ‘yes' answers, I would support proceeding with renovations and implement a plan to have the Pier be self sufficient and the Pier having a very positive future.
AL LANG SITE: No Immediate decision. Considerations: Keep Al Lang as a Stadium. There is too much history to destroy or tear down. Possibly use as a high school, college tournament complex.
Paul Congemi The Pier is a St. Petersburg landmark and should always remain in this city. Al Lange site? Am not sure about this one. Why not a waterfront park? No more condos please. Let's ask the people of this city. Deveron Gibbons A. I believe we need to make the Pier a destination spot again for St. Petersburg. We also need to make sure any plan moving forward does not unduly burden the city with subsidization costs. Right now we do not fully utilize the approach to the Pier. Any plan should be attractive to both residents and tourists, be family friendly and incorporate the type of popular retail shops and restaurants that create more foot traffic not only on the pier itself but also along the approach. We also need to attract well known “anchors” to the main building. B. Al Lang stadium has deep historical significance for both our city and Major League Baseball. I would welcome the return of Spring Training to Al Lang. However, any plan involving Al Lang should be a public discussion with an eye towards keeping the facility public. Additionally, given the city's budget challenges, we should make sure that any plan involving Al Lang continues to leverage what is there including continue support for the Saturday market and potential use of the existing parking to support whatever activities are approved for the redevelopment of the Pier. Richard Eldridge I want to turn The Pier into a hotel. I have no specifics of the hotel’s design, other than I wish to preserve the historic integrity of the current design. Allow hotels to come up with ideas on how The Pier can best be used and choose the best design. Since the Rays have no desire to use it, I have no objection to someone spending their own money to construct something that will bring commerce to the area. There is no shortage of profitable companies and visionaries who can turn that site into an area that everyone would enjoy. Jamie Bennett The Tampa Bay Rays are a major corporation with millions of dollars in expenses and revenues. The city needs to develop a relationship with the team that respects the enormity of their impact. We would not restrict, say Apple or another major company, in where it wanted to be headquartered. In fact, it would be in the city's best interests, to find them the best possible location. Same goes for the Tampa Bay Rays. And while I love Tropicana Field, the Rays will need a new stadium in the next decade. Under a Bennett administration, as opposed to a possible Scott Wagman administration, which is open to the idea of the Rays leaving St. Petersburg, the Rays will stay in St. Pete! I believe they should stay at their existing site at a retro-fitted stadium or in a new facility at the current U-Haul location on 9th Street. In this current economic downturn, I am opposed to public financing. Of course, there should be full public input. I have embraced a vision similar to what DNA member Tim Clemmons sketched out: This is the kind of vision I have, not just for a stadium, but a stadium district. A district that fully realizes the potential for commercial development, affordable housing, green space and preservation of Booker Creek. Kathleen Ford There is an existing contract that clearly states where MLB will be played in St. Petersburg. I will enforce that agreement which states that the Club will play at the domed stadium until 2027. Any and all renegotiations of that agreement will be done in the open if I am mayor. Bill Foster
The only way I could see myself personally supporting a new stadium is if: 1. Approved by voter referendum; 2. Construction to begin after 2015; 3. Primarily financed by Rays; 4. Constructed at existing Trop site. The response to 2 through 4 will dictate the campaign for voter approval. I personally will need to see the results of a referendum before I support any use of the peoples money or property. Scott Wagman I wish to hear the results of ABC coalition's extensive and expensive research before coming to any conclusions regarding the stadium for the Rays. I would like to investigate renovating the existing stadium as well as potentially building a new one. By the time the process is completed in planning a new stadium, the existing Tropicana Field will be 26 to 27 years old and clearly out of date. The restrictions I would place on the stadium relocation are that it must be within Pinellas County with a preference to the city of St Petersburg, and in no way would I support a move to Hillsborough County. Larry Williams 1. BASEBALL. It is without question, and clearly can be demonstrated, that the impact of baseball on St. Petersburg and the surrounding area is dramatic. Whether you are a fan or not, baseball has created and continues to provide and ensure jobs, produce substantial financial benefits to the community and provide a very positive exposure for our city. Last September and October, newspapers, televisions, radios, computers and whatever media gathering source we use, was centered on St. Petersburg for the playoffs and World Series. We were privileged to have everyone world wide see St. Petersburg, not only as the beautiful city we see and appreciate, but as a destination as a "BIG LEAGUE CITY". St. Petersburg is one of only 29 cities in this country that has something uniquely special; a "Major League" baseball team. I think that is a "BIG DEAL", and certainly the events of last September and October demonstrated that. The "WHOLE WORLD" recognizes this event and only two cities receive that kind of recognition. Fan or not, St. Petersburg is in the "BIG LEAGUES" and that is a "BIG DEAL". 2. A NEW STADIUM. If we run the risk of losing the Rays to another city and a new
stadium is needed to keep the Rays in St. Petersburg, I would support a new stadium.
To do that, I would seek extensive public input and solicit every source of funding
available in order to minimize use of our city funds. In the event a new stadium would be required, my position is as follows: MY FIRST CHOICE would be to renovate Tropicana Field. MY NEXT CHOICE would be to build a new stadium on the Tropicana site. MY NEXT CHOICE would be any site, so long as that site is in St. Petersburg. I would not support the downtown waterfront stadium as was proposed. Paul Congemi I will not. The number one issue in this city is hungary, homeless people. During the first year of my administration I am going to accept only a $10,000 salary. The rest of my salary will given to help five different homeless shelters and to help build a future charity hospital. Deveron Gibbons Keeping baseball in St. Petersburg is important - it brings jobs, economic activity and excitement to the city. For this reason, I would support a new stadium for the Rays, but not on the waterfront. Additionally, unless taxpayers vote to pitch in for the cost by approval of a city wide referendum, I oppose use of taxpayer funds to support a new stadium. Finally, if a new stadium is built, plans must include a realistic and productive use of the existing Dome site. Richard Eldridge NO! The Rays can live anywhere they want. But they’ll be playing their home games in Tropicana Field. I will enforce the contract. However, if the Rays, Major League Baseball, or private investors want to pay for a new stadium, I would support that. Jamie Bennett The situation at BayWalk is a debacle, a true black eye on the current administration. It is one of the issues I most disagree with Mayor Baker. If I am elected, the issue of BayWalk will be solved within the first year, either by revitalizing the site or, if need be, to move on. First of all, we need to separate Muvico from BayWalk and make sure that Muvico has all the tools it needs to prosper. As for the restaurant and retail complex, there needs to be increased security—real and tangible. The city could also offer tax incentives to save the current occupants and attract new ones. Kathleen Ford Perhaps, we could work with our budding local artists to give them an opportunity to display their work in some of these empty storefront windows. Pleasing storefront windows filled with creative art, photos, sculpture, etc. can transform the appearance of a shopping district. I also believe visible law enforcement in all of our commercial districts, but especially in our struggling districts, including Baywalk, will encourage reinvestment in these areas. Bill Foster
It is not just the recession that has caused these downtown issues. It is an inattention to the environmental conditions in this area. We must create an environment that is conducive to the success of small businesses. This involves public safety, codes, construction and permitting, sanitation, parks, parking management, etc. Public safety is job one: safety for the shop keeper, safety for the customer. The number one role of law enforcement should be crime prevention and maintenance of order, and NOT response oriented policing. We must eliminate conditions that allow criminal activity to flourish by: a. Targeting these conditions with education and a steady presence; b. Sweating the small stuff (adopt the broken window philosophy). Minor offenses breed an environment conducive to major offenses, and by not enforcing the small stuff, we create an environment of disdain for law enforcement; c. Creating partnerships and joint efforts with other law enforcement agencies, DOC, Judiciary, CONA, Business Assns, Citizens on Patrol, organized neighborhood crime watch groups, all city radio cars (codes, sanitation, zoning); d. More CPTED training and assistance; e. Install and monitor security cameras in parks and high traffic tourist areas; f. On a temporary basis, install cameras on utility poles in high crime areas "hot spots" until the challenge has been eliminated; g. Expanding efforts (Community Policing, CAPE) focusing on relationships, intelligence gathering, education and customer service. It is in this arena where the City will re-establish a sense of trust from our citizens. h. Greater empowerment, coordination and support to civilian volunteers and crime watch groups.
i. We must get a grip on homeless issues (care and compassion balanced by a healthy business and residential base). - We must be more successful in convincing homeless individuals to give programs or shelter a chance. This is the outreach element of the plan, and we must equip the outreach coordinator with flexible service options. - Prevention tops the agenda: it is well documented that preventing an episode of homelessness costs less than sheltering an episode of homelessness (ie. temporary rent assistance). Once again, the availability of job training and job resources is essential to homelessness prevention (child care, transportation, interview and life skills training, resume builders, etc.). - We must ensure the availability of and easy access to safe and viable alternatives to the street through transitional housing, vocational training, life skills education. - We must acknowledge that street homelessness is harmful for those who live in public spaces, and has negative effects on the communities and areas in which street homelessness proliferates. For humanitarian and quality of life reasons alike, people on the street should be helped and street homelessness, as a condition of urban life, should not be tolerated. The City has ordinances dealing with homeless conditions - they MUST be enforced. j. Expansion of pan handling prohibition around these tourist and business centers, with steady enforcement. With public safety restored, we will emphasize the other essential services with added common sense, and with an eye toward customer service. a. Processes in Construction Services and Code Compliance will be further streamlined, always with the idea that we are partners, not adversaries. The words "NO" or "See you in Court" will be replaced with "How can we as partners accomplish the task requested"? b. I will have regular interaction with business leaders / small business owners, with semi-annual business summits ("listening sessions") to size up workforce utilization, networking for job retention / creation, engage local business owners and CEOs, offer business opportunities to public sector, provide on-site City services and access to department heads for answers and assistance, and provide support for employers who support the City. c. Implement early warning system for businesses and employers who are in trouble. d. Promote education and affordable housing. Vocational training and educational opportunities leading to living wage jobs are essential to the maintenance and stability of our available work force. e. Promote local businesses through a modified City procurement policy (purchasing policy direction giving preferred status for local vendors and small businesses). f. Cross marketing and promotion of local events in print and internet venues between local businesses, City, County, and CVB, Chambers, Downtown Partnership, business associations, and civic clubs. g. Monthly Town Hall meetings with residents and small business owners. h. Availability of parking (and security within) is a priority, and I do not believe that parking enforcement after 5:00pm is conducive to an inviting downtown after hours. This must be addressed. Scott Wagman There are many separate issues to this question, Baywalk needs to be a priority and I am encouraged with the new ownership of Wells Fargo Bank and them bringing in new management that will take the steps to improve the specific physical issues that are plaguing Baywalk. I would then address the City Owned Parking Garage situation with its poor lighting and security as it must be reengineered as a secure space that engenders competence in people using to attend events at Baywalk. Expanding Baywalk to the stores along Central Avenue especially between 5th St and Beach Drive this becomes a policing and crime deterrent issue. Far stronger and more visible police presence is necessary to remove the aggressive panhandlers that cause people to choose to take their disposable income elsewhere. I would also want the police force to consider a variety of new techniques such as bicycle patrols and horse patrols to improve security therein. Going further west down Central, we need a city led effort to galvanize landlords to take very creative measures to get tenants into these vacant and dilapidated buildings. Developing parts of Central as an Arts Colony with extremely inexpensive rents to growth of artistic venues where the tenants use "sweat equity" to earn their way in, is a possibility. Any tenant, even a low-paying one, that takes care of the property and begins to build some vitality in the region will be a long-term benefit to St Petersburg. Larry Williams BAYWALK: An immediate effort must be made to "Bring Back BayWalk." As Councilperson, I broke the ground for the construction of BayWalk. We need to get BayWalk
back to the "destination" it was and is meant to be. It will be done!! I will begin by aggressively
pursuing all legal avenues to allow BayWalk, the garage and the surrounding area to be safe and
panhandler free. I will aggressively pursue the "great entrepreneur" out there and create
opportunities for revitalization of BayWalk. I would, in the interim, urge everyone to support the
present BayWalk businesses, until the "calvary" can get there. As to Central and Downtown Code issues—right now the economy has dealt some significant challenges for all of us. I have attached "My Issues" bulletin and as stated in the Tourism section, I’m hoping downtown would benefit from aggressive marketing efforts. Codes should be enforced. Paul Congemi
In every city across America we will find the same situation. The other candidates will come up with all sorts of answers. The truth is basic, when we see an end to the recession that's when businesses will begin to prosper. Deveron Gibbons The Mayor sets the agenda and tone for the City. I see this as a two pronged problem - first, how do we assure that businesses locate and thrive in St. Petersburg and second, when the economy falters, how do we assure the safety, security and upkeep of properties left vacant. First, with respect to economic development, I believe that there is no city in Florida better suited to business than the city of St. Petersburg. I will work with the council to assure that our tax policies are consistent with supporting and nourishing the smalll businesses that make up the vast majority of the retail businesses in our community. Additionally, I will engage with the Chamber and other business, arts and community leaders to support efforts to bring residents downtown for their shopping, dining and entertainment. At the same time, I recognize that there are a substantial number of empty retail properties and that those properties represent a significant challenge for the safety of the neighborhoods where they are located and for the viability of the businesses close by. For this reason, I would make strong code enforcement a priority of my administration. We will work with those owners who are operating in good faith to come into compliance and will enforce vigorously against those who aren't. I want businesses to grow and to thrive in St. Petersburg but only if it is operated in a respectful and lawful way. Richard Eldridge If you notice the Tyrone Mall area, the infrastructure of that area allows for very heavy traffic flow, and therefore, more customers. That wasn’t considered when Baywalk was built. The only way to increase business to the downtown area is to increase the incentive to get off of the interstate. This requires easy and convenient parking and ease of getting back on the interstate. Shopping centers in the Tyrone square mall area have free parking and are convenient. Consider multiple free trams to move people around downtown more freely. Furthermore, you can’t blame the recession on everything. There are still businesses that are flourishing in this city. Jamie Bennett
This is a case of talking the talk or walking the walk. I have walked the walk, becoming intimately involved with many of the cultural and artistic venues in our city. Under my administration, St. Petersburg will become the arts and culture capital of the Southeast, surpassing Atlanta, Miami, Savannah, etc. The way we get to that destination is not through platitudes, it's by making arts and culture a priority, even over some other vital city functions. Secondly, we have to attract and retain the artists and craftsmen that contribute to a vibrant city. I propose transforming several locations in downtown St. Petersburg into affordable living and work spaces for artists. I am prepared to offer discounted rent and city utilities to artists that contribute to public displays and events. A specific program I would like to implement is Pelicanpalooza, similar to the wildly successful Gallopalooza as part of Kentucky Derby (http://gallopalooza.com). Instead of horse and the Derby, we would uses pelicans and center the event around the Grand Prix. Here's how it they do it and how it would work: • Artists are invited to submit designs (2 max) • Businesses or individuals agree to sponsor a pelican (with various levels of
sponsorships) As for historical preservation, I don't think this issue will move along further than it will under a Bennett administration. I've been to the walking tours, I'm working to landmark the Hotel Detroit, I've been endorsed by Will Michaels, the president of St. Pete Preservation.
I believe we have taken a good first step on this issue, but we need to move very quickly to get to the next level. Aggressive landmarking is one way. Also, developing a better system for transacting development rights, now in time for a recovering economy, will also be a priority. A third part of my platform will be to expand historical preservation throughout the city. Kathleen Ford
I grew up in Yorktown, Virginia, where Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. I biked to Colonial Williamsburg, where high school friends had summer jobs as candle makers, drummers in the fife and drum corp and gave candle light tours during Christmas. I led marching bands down Duke of Gloucester Street and along Yorktown's battlefields. I attended Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia. Of course, this is a round about way of saying that historic preservation has always been a part of my life. When I moved to St. Petersburg, I moved to the Old Northeast where I and my husband continued the restoration of our home built in 1922. Additionally, I volunteered to preserve this old neighborhood subject of speculation because of its proximity to a new planned development, Bay Plaza. I and others went door to door getting support for the City's first neighborhood plan with the hope of preventing demolition of these historic homes to make way for modern ones. My preservation efforts have been project focused while I worked and raised my family. As mayor, I will work to identify, preserve and protect all of our historically significant features. I am grateful to the many other tireless volunteers who educate, preserve and protect our City's historic assets. Historic preservation of a City's significant features has intrinsic value in and of itself but has also been recognized for its economic impact. New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, Boston are just a few examples of where history makes money for a community. A mayor leads by example. I have done this and will continue to do so. Cultural arts Although I grew up in a small town, I was fortunate to have a family and community that valued the arts so I grew up playing the clarinet, bassoon, string bass, bells and saxaphone. I studied dance and participated in performing arts. In high school, we studied the American Musical and traveled to the Mosque Theater in Richmond, Va., the National Theater and Ford Theater in Washington DC and to some off Broadway Theaters in NYC. And, I shared my love of the arts with my children. They both played little league baseball and soccer. And, they both took tap and ballet and played the saxophone. During the summer, their time was spent at art, sports and science camps. My adult children attended Columbia University in NYC so for the last few years I have had the opportunity to catch a few Broadway shows and visit the Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim and various galleries throughout the city when visiting. In the past our family spent time visiting the Louvre, the Musee D'Orsay, the Musee to Moyen Age followed by a tour of Normandy. At Mount Olympia we saw marble sculptures of Nike. We were spell bound by Gaudi's work in Barcelona. On our family vacations we toured Mystic Harbor, Boston Harbor, Pikes Fish Market, Olympic National forest. We spend our vacation and free time visiting museums, historic sites or experiencing the outdoors. These make me appreciate the wonderful jewels we have here at home at our Museum of Fine Art and the Dali. I appreciate the wonderful collections we have and recognized the need for a cultural arts plan and manager while I was on City Council. If I am elected Mayor I will restore that position and include the Mahaffey Theater for that manager's coordination and oversight. Bill Foster A Mayor without vision and the experience to succeed is a one term Mayor. The Mayor is the driving force in the viability of a city's culture and preservation of its historic charm. My experience with and support of our cultural plan and historic preservation is nothing new. I served on the City Council and the Arts Advisory Commission during the time when we created and adopted our city's first cultural plan. It was my vision to preserve Sunken Gardens, and my leadership which led to its success. My record of commitment to the preservation of our historic charm is undeniable and long standing, and as your Mayor, I will use our resources to ensure an environment where this continues to be a priority. Within the next few years, St. Pete's greatest opportunity for downtown redevelopment and historic preservation involves the Central Avenue corridor between MLK and 16th Street. At the western edge, we have the construction of apartment units for our next generation of young urban dwellers in search of a night life. The City has proposed the construction of a new Police building, which would free up this parcel to some exciting development opportunities. To the East, the Arts Center development will be the anchor, and everything in the middle can be colored in according to the vision of the community (galleries, shops, cafes, clubs). The development of a parking facility is paramount to the sustainability of this area, and must be encouraged by the City. Scott Wagman As a member of the board trustees of American Stage Theatre and the recent Chairman of the 2009 American Stage in the Park Gala, I understand the economic pressures that affect culture life in St. Petersburg every day. I believe that St. Petersburg needs to make a much stronger commitment to the arts including direct financial investment and incentives to see that the artistic community is not just supported emotionally but financially. Recognizing it is a major economic driver of people visiting and eventually living here. Historic Preservation is a critical element in bridging St Petersburg past to its future. The preservation of the Vinoy Hotel has been one example of preservation done right; retaining a very special property that today yields great economic benefits to St Petersburg. The Hex Block sidewalks need to be retained as well as those remaining brick streets that remind us of a special bygone era. We must find ways to bridge, the at times acrimonious feelings between the city and preservation groups to find win – win situations that benefit everyone. I believe an area near downtown St Petersburg needs to be located and plated where single family homes of some historic significance can possibly be moved creating an almost Williamsburg like effect while allowing reasonable development of new buildings where consistent with surrounding areas and codes allow. Larry Williams WHERE I WILL BEGIN— strongly believe that our city and its relationship with the above mentioned destinations, venues and events, represent a virtually untapped opportunity that we can better realize through a more aggressive marketing approach.
I do understand the very significant importance of the arts, our museums, our cultural activities and why a much stronger marketing approach must be taken for the promotion and expansion of these venues. Realizing the impact of these venues, the jobs they represent and the financial impact created, I am very excited about instituting a very aggressive marketing approach of these venues. I will work diligently with the County for the opportunities we can create through tourism for the West Coast of Florida, Pinellas County and St. Petersburg. Paul Congemi I am willing to host benefits to raise money for the arts and cultural llife in this city. Just as I will host benefits to raise money for housing the homeless, and I will host benefits to raise money for a charity hospital for the poor and those with no medical insurance. Deveron Gibbons Our cleanest and greenest industry in St. Petersburg is our arts, culture, and history. It is essential that as Mayor I continue to support efforts to preserve not just our beautiful architecture and buildings, but also our thriving arts venues and programs. Richard Eldridge Typically, government should not favor one culture over another. But there are things that we, as a city, have in common. So there’s nothing wrong with the Mayor saying Merry Christmas to the culture that observes the holiday. Question 5: The PSTA has proposed a bus rapid transit system for Central Avenue that would connect Downtown with the Gulf of Mexico. Would you support this proposal?
Jamie Bennett Yes I do support this proposal, just as I support the proposal to move the terminal out of Williams Park immediately. Kathleen Ford Historically, rapid travel has been directed to First Avenues North (west) and South (east). If the rapid transit would bring more beach visitors to our commercial districts, I am in favor of it on those avenues (expansion of the existing Beach Trolley). Most businesses do not want to see potential customers speeding by. However, workers may need or desire faster service between downtown and the beaches. Central Avenue's current design, including roundabouts is more pedestrian friendly as was intended by the Dome District Plan, the Grand Central Avenue Plan and the Downtown Development Plan. West of 34th Street there are offices and small retail that is more logical associated with pedestrian and slower traffic. Bill Foster Yes, but I would also like to see expanded Looper service to accommodate the businesses and residents along Beach Drive, Central Avenue, and abutting corridors. Scott Wagman As the question is written I would support this proposal contingent upon understanding the city of St Petersburg participation and funding. I believe there is value to the concept of making it very easy for beach residing tourists to easily and inexpensively visit our beautiful downtown. This sounds like an economic development win-win for all involved. Paul Congemi Yes I will. Deveron Gibbons PSTA is an important part of our city’s transportation system. As Mayor I would be eager to discuss any plan that more seamlessly moves residents and visitors around our area. The beaches and downtown St. Petersburg have much to offer each other. We should welcome the increased flow of people between our two communities. Richard Eldridge Absolutely. Anything that increases the ability to freely and conveniently move about the city is vital to business and will make the city a more comfortable place to live. Jamie Bennett It's unfortunate that there are many complaints about lax code enforcement. Because this is a matter of leadership and personnel. But in this economy, when we are forced to lay off city workers, we are just going to have to ask the rest of our work force to do more with less. But if they have a leader that supports them and their work, I think that is a fair thing to ask them. I would like to implement a policy that links code enforcements violations to the property owner's entire portfolio. Meaning, if you want to do business with the city, you cannot have one property out of line and expect to move forward on another project at a different site. Kathleen Ford Enforce the codes consistently and continually. Code compliance, especially where there are aging structures, is critical to maintaining redeveloping commercial and residential districts. Carrots are nice but sometimes hammers are necessary. Too many know how to game the system. Certainly, the City should cooperate with those who are making significant progress with compliance. Bill Foster It is all about priority, and to me, environmental conditions which depress property values and potential economic development (safety perceptions, blighted conditions, inattention to the customer, inattention to the small stuff, inattention to your own facilities) will not be tolerated. More than once, I called in a complaint to the Codes Department pertaining to a city owned facility (City Hall, Mirror Lake facilities, etc), and I even proposed an ordinance requiring the City live up to its own codes. Sounds silly, but it didn't even make it out of committee. As your Mayor, we will sweat the small stuff in Codes (I don't mean trivial, but I do mean those involving life safety, and those code issues which do impact your values and quality of life), and these complaints will be promptly addressed. Scott Wagman Code enforcement is unevenly and inconsistently enforced throughout the city, one only needs to visit the Childs Park community to see where blatant building code and parking code violations occur hourly. I believe we need to make it far easier for budding business people to open a small business without holding them hostage to sometimes egregious code requirements such as lighting fixture spacing, etc. which do nothing but increase costs to a business person who might create jobs while vigorously enforcing people who allow broken down buildings, debris and unkempt yards to diminish the aesthetics of our city. Code enforcements city wide just requires a mayoral mandate exhibiting the interest and concern on this issue by the mayor. Larry Williams Codes should be enforced fairly. Deveron Gibbons Yes I would respond within the current code structure. Strong enforcement citywide of codes and laws will be a hallmark of my administration. Richard Eldridge I would address it on a code by code basis. First, is it a reasonable code? Is it an unnecessary burden? If the violation of the code does not take away from the peace and order in that area and improves business, I would wonder if the code is relevant. You would need to be more specific on this question for me to give a better answer. In April, the city’s Community Preservation Commission voted to make St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral a local historic landmark. The designation requires that any significant changes to the exterior of the church (including demolition) be approved by the commission following a public hearing.
In its application to the city, the church outlined the significance of St. Peter’s to the community, both as a religious institution and as an architectural landmark. The application was prepared by Will Michaels, president of St. Petersburg Preservation and former director of the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Here is some of what he had to say about the church.
Spiritual, Cultural, and Social Significance
St. Peter’s Cathedral is the city’s second Episcopal Church. The cathedral dates from 1889 when it was first organized as “The Mission of the Holy Spirit.” The current Gothic Revival style church building dates from 1899. The church has served the city as an important spiritual and social center continuously almost from the founding of the city in 1888. During World War II it served as a support center for military personnel who were housed in the downtown area. St. Peter’s eventually served as an important catalyst in the implementation of eight other Episcopal Churches and a retirement community in the St. Petersburg area . . .
St. Peter’s was built with funds donated by Edwin H. Tomlinson in honor of his father, Peter Tomlinson. He also provided the church with funds for a pipe organ. Edwin’s son, Edward, donated to add an auxiliary building to the church in honor of his mother in 1899. Edwin Tomlinson, a retired mining and oil entrepreneur, was benefactor for a number of buildings in St. Petersburg including Florida’s First Manual Training School, the Manual Training Annex – with a 2,500-seat gymnasium/auditorium, and the city’s first open air post office. He also created the famed Fountain of Youth. The Boy’s Junior High School at Mirror Lake was later named after Tomlinson.
St. Peter’s is an important component of downtown 4th Street North, one of the most historic corridors in the city. Included on this corridor, almost consecutively, are the Pennsylvania Hotel (1926), First Congregational Church (1912), Coburn Apartments (1913), Orange Blossom Cafeteria (1925), Randolph Hotel (1901;1939); St. Peter’s Cathedral (1899), First Baptist Church (1922), Princess Martha Hotel (1924), Open Air Post Office (1916), Snell Arcade (1928), Central National Bank (1912), Phiel Hotel (1916-24), and the Tramor Cafeteria (1929). It is noted that St. Peter’s is the oldest in this line of historic buildings. St. Peter’s also faces and predates the establishment of Williams Park (1894). Therefore St. Peter’s is central to one of the greatest concentration of significant historic resources in the city . . .
In 1968, Bishop William Hargrave, first Bishop of Southwest Florida, chose the St. Peter’s parish as his official seat of authority in the diocese, thus enabling the church to be titled a cathedral. Each bishop succeeding Bishop Hargrave has continued to designate St. Peter’s as their seat of authority, and thus St. Peter’s has remained a cathedral since 1968 continuously through to the present date.
Architectural Significance and Data
The St. Peter’s building derives its uniqueness from the use of yellow bricks with pink mortar joints in conjunction with Gothic Revival styling. Also, the structure is supported by distinctive interior tie rods rather than the traditional external buttresses. In addition to its distinctive Gothic Revival architecture, St. Peter’s contains some 55 stained glass windows. Some of these windows were executed by WPA era artist George Snow Hill. Hill’s celebrated mural of the World’s First airline is displayed at Tampa International Airport . . .
City Recognition
St. Peter’s was first identified by the City of St. Petersburg as having both historical and architectural significance in its 1981 survey of architectural and historic resources (Community Development Department, St. Petersburg’s Architectural and Historic Resources). Of the approximately 600 properties identified as having significance in this survey, less than one percent were Gothic Revival in their architectural style. Also, the survey prioritized properties in terms of their significance on a scale of one to four, with one being most significant. St. Peter’s was classified as being in Category I. The Downtown Neighborhood Association will be helping out on the weekend of July 10-12, when the city is host to the 13th annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference.
The city’s Neighborhood Partnership office asked DNA to take part by offering delegates to the conference a Historic Downtown and Public Art Tour, and by hosting about 45 delegates to dinner on Friday night.
DNA is working with St. Petersburg Preservation to offer the tour. Dinner will be served to the delegates from a spot with a great view of Tampa Bay – the rooftop of the Beacon, a 10-story condominium at 470 3rd Street S.
The conference is sponsored by the Florida Neighborhoods Conference Planning Committee, a group that was formed by the neighborhood offices of 18 cities and counties from around the state. Delegates will include representatives from those cities, and also from neighborhood associations from around the state.
The goal of the conference is to help the delegates become more effective in leading their neighborhoods. A series of seminars about neighborhood issues will be held at the Hilton Hotel on 1st Street S. Among the numerous subjects are landlord-tenant issues; water conservation; traffic calming; creating an energy efficient neighborhood and dealing with abandoned homes.
In order to cover the costs of serving dinner to the delegates, DNA successfully sought some sponsors.
Major sponsors are the Beacon condominium and Sterling Management. Sterling is a condominium management company that operates the Beacon.
Other sponsors are Publix Supermarkets Inc., Craftsman House Gallery and Cafe, Orange Blossom Catering and the UPS Store.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association hit the trifecta at this year's Mayor's Neighborhood Partnership Awards with recognition in three categories, including Neighborhood of the Year.
Thanks to all who participated, Downtown was awarded “Project of the Year” for our Williams Park Volunteer Day. John Harte, chair of the DNA Parks and Environment Committee, initiated the resolution by the board to join the St. Petersburg Adopt-a-Park Program to benefit Williams Park, and worked closely with the Parks Department to organize our efforts.
With support from the City Council, more than 50 volunteers pressure washed the park's monuments; raked, weeded, planted and mulched flower beds; and finished painting the bandshell. Such volunteer days have now become quarterly events.
In addition to volunteer days, DNA is a major participant in the Friends of Williams Park group. FOWP, chaired by DNA member Tim Clemmons, coordinates the efforts of all participating stakeholders to improve the park and has expanded our ability to make permanent positive changes through enhanced programming, public relations and capital improvements.
The Downtown Neighborhood was recognized by City Council Vice-Chair Leslie Curran for “Extraordinary Service and Dedication in City Council District 4”, and, the highlight of the evening, we were given the “Neighborhood of the Year” award by Mayor Rick Baker.
While we recognize that there are still challenges ahead, together we can and do make a difference in the quality of life Downtown. Thanks to all each of you do to make our neighborhood the best!
St. Petersburg has long treasured its Downtown waterfront
public parkland. Stretching from Albert Whitted Airport on the south to
Coffee Pot Bayou on the north, it covers approximately 23 blocks. Included
within this area are twelve parks—Albert Whitted Park, Al Lang Stadium,
Pioneer Park, Demens Landing, Spa Beach, South Straub Park (also called
Soreno Park), North Straub Park, Vinoy Park, North Shore Park, Elva Rouse
Park, Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, and Flora Wylie Park. All of this area is land owned by the city and
available for use by the public. Who had the foresight to preserve
such a legacy for future generations? How did it come about? From
earliest times, the Downtown waterfront was a mix of commercial
and recreational use. When St. Petersburg was founded, the railroad
builder Peter Demens built a railroad pier on what is now the site
of Demens Landing, at the beginning of 1st Avenue South. The pier
was to connect the railroad with shipping commerce and thereby grow
the economy of St. Pete. Along with other early town builders, Demens
and the railroad also sought to promote tourism. A large bathing
pavilion was built adjacent to the railroad pier for the use of
tourists. The railroad pier was eventually taken over by Henry
B. Plant's Sanford and St. Petersburg Railroad, successor to Peter Demens'
Orange Belt Railroad. Plant and his associates exercised what amounted to
a monopoly on major shipping in St. Petersburg. In 1901, the owners of the
passenger steamer Anthea decided to deepen the channel to their Central
Avenue dock. Concerned that a new channel would weaken their commercial
position, the directors of the Plant System obtained an injunction blocking
the deepening of the channel. This action enraged the local business community,
which countered with a plan to terminate the railroad pier's monopoly. Led
by A. P. Avery, a former baker turned banker, the businessmen dredged a
T-shaped channel that would open the shoreline between Central and First
Avenue North to deep-draft vessels. B. E. Coe did the dredging, and the
channel was therefore known as the Little Coe Channel. This was the first
step in the creation of a port in St. Petersburg that could compete with
the port of Tampa. The editor of the St. Petersburg Times,
William L. Straub, was not enthusiastic about the dredging of the
Coe Channel. While Straub favored the expansion of the city's port
facilities, he was also worried that expansion would destroy the
beauty of the Downtown waterfront. Straub was also an artist who
appreciated the natural beauty of the waterfront and bay. But he
was equally concerned that further commercialization of the waterfront
could negatively affect the growing tourist trade. The waterfront
was already becoming littered with unkempt docks and smelly fish
processing houses. There also was F. A. Davis' electric power plant
with two tall smoking stacks. At one point the Board of Trade issued
a report declaring, "We found that nearly the whole water front was
in an insanitary and unsightly condition—decaying seaweed and other
vegetable, as well as animal matter, produced obnoxious odors, rendering
residence along the front almost intolerable and beyond all question
detrimental to healthÉ.The general appearance of decay and neglect between
the two docks—old boats, rotting piers, all sorts of riff-raff, and
especially where the outgoing tide leaves large stretches of sand covered
with a variety of animal and vegetable matter in all stages of decay—does
not well comport with a live, progressive city such as St. Petersburg
claims to be." A struggle ensued between various business and civic
interests over whether the Downtown waterfront was to become primarily a
commercial port, or a waterfront park for use of tourists and as an amenity
for adjacent residential neighborhoods. Straub's eventual solution was to
preserve the Downtown waterfront by promoting C. A. Harvey's proposed port
further south at Bayboro, in the vicinity of 10th Avenue South. Debate over
the waterfront park began in 1902 after the Board of Trade approved a resolution
calling for a public bayfront park between Second and Fifth Avenue North.
Straub backed the resolution through editorials in the Times. But
the first real advance of the park vision did not occur until 1905 when
a J. M. Lewis presented a plan to turn virtually the entire Downtown waterfront
into a park. Lewis' plan became a major issue in the 1906 city elections,
and the public waterfront supporters eventually won a majority of the seats
on the city council. In February 1906 a waterfront owner planned to build
a number of rental cottages on the waterfront. Concerned that this would
unleash a spate of low-end rental units on the waterfront, the city responded
by passing an ordinance that ordered no buildings other than boathouses
or bathing pavilions were to be built on the waterfront unless approved
by the city. In April the Board of Trade, under the leadership of C. Perry
Snell, who developed residential neighborhoods in Northeast St. Petersburg
and Snell Isle, began to buy up waterfront property and hold it in trust
until the city could afford to turn the property into parkland. The struggle continued. In 1908 a new city council was
elected opposed to the waterfront park. At that point waterfront boosters
formed the St. Petersburg Waterfront Company for the purpose of taking over
the waterfront lots previously purchased, acquiring the remaining property,
creating a yacht basin, providing for commercial traffic to the south, and
beautifying the park. Creation of this company suddenly sparked the city
council to action. The council and a group of public ownership advocates
secured money to buy the waterfront lots previously purchased by the Board
of Trade for public ownership, with the first deed dated January 8, 1909.
All the remaining waterfront property, except that held by the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad and the electric light company, was obtained by the
Board of Trade in December 1909. Final arrangements were made on Christmas
Eve and resulted in what Straub's Times called Òthe best Christmas
present that St. Petersburg ever had." The dredge Blanche, named in honor of Blanche Straub,
W. L. Straub's daughter, began work on waterfront improvements five months
later. Waterfront Park finally became an official park in December 1910.
In 1911 seawalls were added. By 1916 St. Petersburg had one of the largest
public waterfronts in the nation. The total public cost of purchasing and
improving the waterfront came to almost $2 million by 1925. Historian Walter P. Fuller states that in 1908 and 1909
the waterfront between 2nd Avenue North and 1st Avenue South was the scene
of a "fierce struggle" between William Straub and F. A. Davis. Davis was
an early city booster and entrepreneur. Davis began his activities in St.
Petersburg in 1897 when he founded the city's first electric light company.
In 1902 he began the city's first trolley line. Prior to coming to Florida
he was a successful Philadelphia publisher, and he used his publishing company
to promote investment and tourism in St. Petersburg across the nation. He
also successfully encouraged many Philadelphia financial interests, including
Jacob Disston (brother of Hamilton Disston, who founded Gulfport) and George
S. Gandy, to invest in his St. Petersburg enterprises. In 1906, Davis formed the Tampa Bay Transportation Company.
In May of that year the Philadelphia North American newspaper reported,
"Capitalists in Philadelphia plan to make St. Petersburg one of the most
important ports in the South Atlantic States." It was planned to develop
St. Petersburg as a port for West Indian, Gulf and South American trade,
and to be ready for heavier commerce by the time the Panama Canal was completed.
In that same year another Davis Company, the St. Petersburg Investment Company,
acquired the Brantley Pier and extended it 2,000 feet out to deep water.
Davis decorated the pier with electric lights powered by his light company,
and consequently the pier came to be known as the "Electric Pier." Davis'
intention was to make this the commercial freight pier for St. Petersburg.
Freight was to be unloaded from boats on to freight cars that had wheels
the same gage as the city trolleys. The freight could then be easily transported
to anywhere there were trolley rails. According to historian Karl Grismer,
for many years the Electric Pier was the "deep water harbor" of the city.
It also served as the recreation pier. In the wintertime it swarmed with
tourist anglers. Davis brought the USS Favorite to the Electric
Pier to transport both freight and passengers. This ship is in many
historic waterfront photos and in a painting done by Straub himself.
At the time it was the largest ship on Tampa Bay. If Davis really
expected the opening of the Panama Canal to accelerate shipping
on Tampa Bay, he was a man way ahead of his time. The Canal was
not completed until 1914, only to be closed again the next year
as the result of a giant landslide. The Canal was not officially
opened until 1920. By the end of 1909 the city had purchased all of the
original waterfront property except that held by the ACL Railroad and the
Electric Light & Power Company. In 1911 the ACL leased their property to
the city. The site of the Electric Light Company, at the foot of Central
Avenue, was acquired about 1914. This site was later leased by the city
to the St. Petersburg Yacht Club for a dollar a year. The final piece of
waterfront property at the foot of the Electric Pier was acquired by the
city in 1919.By the end of 1909 the city had purchased all of the original
waterfront property except that held by the ACL Railroad and the Electric
Light & Power Company. In 1911 the ACL leased their property to the city.
The site of the Electric Light Company, at the foot of Central Avenue, was
acquired about 1914. This site was later leased by the city to the St. Petersburg
Yacht Club for a dollar a year. The final piece of waterfront property at
the foot of the Electric Pier was acquired by the city in 1919. It is difficult to sort out the relationship between
Straub and Davis, and the details of Davis' role in the Waterfront Park
story. So far we are unable to find a direct statement from Davis himself
about the issue. While initially opposing Davis' request for a trolley franchise,
Straub later served as Secretary of Davis' trolley company. Certainly through
1906, the year Davis built the Electric Pier, Davis was actively pursuing
commercial development of at least his part of the waterfront. But in the
following year, 1907, a financial panic hit the Tampa Bay area and Davis'
enterprises collapsed. All of his companies were placed in receivership.
According to historian Walter Fuller, at that point "Davis dropped from
the St. Petersburg story." Interestingly, upon the occasion of F. A. Davis
death in 1917, William Straub referred to Davis as a dear friend. And after
reviewing all that Davis had achieved for the city, he stated that if any
person should receive the honor of being called the "father of St. Petersburg,"
it was Davis. While some may debate this title, there is little doubt that
William L. Straub should be regarded as the father of our waterfront parks.
Will Michaels, Ph. D. is the retired Executive Director
of the St. Petersburg Museum of History and current president of St. Petersburg
Preservation Inc. A GOOD EXAMPLE – For some time now, DNA has been complaining to city officials about temporary parking lots and vacant lots that are unkempt and don’t meet city code requirements. Well, here’s a good example of what to do! This grove of palms and the oak trees were planted recently by the owners of the property at 2nd Street and 1st Avenue North, the site of a proposed Grand Bohemian Hotel. It looks great. Thank you. |
Become a Member!
2009 Meeting DatesRenew Membership! Sunshine Center, 330 5th St. N 7:00 p.m. January 8 April 9 July 9 October 8 |
