News Summary
St. Petersburg has approved its Fiscal Year budget, allocating over $2 million for community projects, including renovations of the Historic Manhattan Casino and a Shore Acres infrastructure improvement. These projects aim to enhance the city’s resilience and maintain its rich cultural heritage. The city secured funding despite potential cuts, showcasing a commitment to address pressing community needs amid climate challenges. Mayor Ken Welch and Council Member Brandi Gabbard emphasized the importance of this budget for local stability and growth.
St. Petersburg is celebrating the approval of its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, which includes over $2 million in funding for two major community projects aimed at revitalizing the city and enhancing infrastructure resilience. The allocation includes significant investments of more than $1 million for the renovation of the Historic Manhattan Casino and another $1 million for a Shore Acres infrastructure resiliency project. Both funding requests have been successfully retained despite potential budget cuts by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The money designated for the Historic Manhattan Casino will facilitate extensive renovations intended to transform the venue into a city-owned and operated event and entertainment space. This casino holds historical significance for St. Petersburg, located on the 22nd Street South corridor, a traditional hub for the city’s African American community. During its peak, especially throughout the segregation era, the casino featured performances from jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. The building has shifted management several times since 2011, with the last private lease expiring in 2022.
In response to community interests, the city held a feedback session, ultimately determining that the best use of the facility would be an affordable venue that honors its rich history. The renovations will be funded by state contributions supplemented by $2.85 million in local matching funds, covering 73% of the renovation costs with the remaining 27% funded by the state.
The Shore Acres project, which received its funding request from Republican lawmakers, aims to address critical infrastructure needs in the area, particularly concerning stormwater management. While the received amount is only a third of what was originally requested, it is deemed vital for the implementation of a new stormwater pump station necessary to alleviate ongoing issues related to street flooding. Shore Acres has been grappling with worsening flooding, particularly during high tides combined with heavy rainfall, which has affected many homes that had been previously untroubled by such issues. The area faced severe flooding during Hurricane Helene, raising significant concerns over the effectiveness of existing drainage systems.
Mayor Ken Welch expressed appreciation to state legislators for their efforts in securing this crucial funding for community projects. This budget also accommodates other legislative priorities for the city, such as initiatives related to land use and safety during emergencies. Council Member Brandi Gabbard emphasized the appropriations’ importance, particularly in light of recent climate challenges faced by the community.
In addition to the funds allocated for the two major projects, the budget supports several other community partners. This includes $10 million aimed at enhancing the University of South Florida’s Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences Center, $1.425 million for the Jungle Lake water quality project, and $850,000 earmarked for improvements at Williams Park.
The Southern Group’s Laura Boehmer played a crucial role in lobbying efforts, successfully advocating for these budget allocations and helping to secure vital resources for the residents of St. Petersburg. As the city moves forward with these developments, the community’s resilience and hope for a revitalized environment become increasingly imperative amidst ongoing challenges posed by climate change and infrastructure needs.
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Additional Resources
- Florida Politics: St. Pete Secures $2M for Resiliency Projects
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- St. Pete Catalyst: Agile Resiliency Initiative Lacks Funding
- Google Search: St. Petersburg Florida budget news
- Florida Politics: Pinellas Science Center Nabs $800K
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Planning
- TBBW Magazine: City of St. Pete Seeks $17.7M from Feds
- Google News: St. Petersburg funding projects
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
