News Summary
St. Petersburg has officially opened a new 540-space parking garage at 1301 Central Avenue in the Edge District, operated by Universal Parking. This facility is a key part of The Central, a larger mixed-use development. Providing 24/7 access and modern payment options, the garage aims to alleviate parking shortages in the area and supports future commercial and residential growth within the city. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch highlights its significance for enhancing local business and community engagement as part of a $200 million development plan expected to be completed by 2027.
St. Petersburg has unveiled a new 540-space parking garage located at 1301 Central Avenue in the bustling Edge District. This new facility, operated by Universal Parking, is the first completed component of The Central, a major mixed-use development spearheaded by Ellison Development.
The opening of the garage marks a significant step forward in the larger vision for The Central, which will eventually comprise not only the garage but also several other key structures, including a Halcyon office building, a hotel, a workforce housing complex, and retail space. This development signals a commitment to enhancing the local economy and drawing more business into the area.
Accessibility is a primary focus of the new parking structure, which features 24/7 access and a modern payment system via the “Park with U” mobile app. Visitors will find parking rates set at $1.50 per hour or $21 for a full day’s parking, while monthly parking permits will start at $100. This initiative is particularly important given that prior to the garage opening, the Edge District offered only 400 free, two-hour parking spaces and 200 paid spaces, mostly in private lots.
Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has acknowledged the significance of the new garage in addressing the parking shortages that have arisen as the Edge District continues to develop rapidly. Situated directly across from popular venues like Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill, the garage aims to improve parking availability and accessibility in this busy area.
The overall budget for The Central development is projected to reach $200 million, with completion expected by 2027. Once fully operational, the project will include the Halcyon building—the first Class A office building to be built in downtown St. Petersburg since the 1980s—boasting 125,000 square feet of office space. Additionally, a seven-story residential building is planned, which will offer 42 apartments dedicated to households earning up to 120% of the area median income.
In describing the development, the CEO of Ellison Development, Casey Ellison, emphasized the importance of a public-private partnership that has made this project possible. Construction commenced in February 2024 and is on track to help foster a vibrant and walkable community atmosphere in the Edge District.
As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance urban living, a portion of the parking garage’s spaces will eventually be reserved for tenants and visitors of The Central once the entire development is completed. This plan reinforces the strategy of integrating residential, commercial, and public amenities to support economic growth and community engagement.
With the introduction of this parking garage and the overarching development of The Central, St. Petersburg’s Edge District is poised to experience a transformation that could redefine the area’s landscape and economic potential in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- St. Peter Ising
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg
- TBN Weekly
- Google Search: St. Petersburg parking garage
- Patch
- Google Scholar: St. Petersburg urban development
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- I Love the Burg
- Google News: St. Petersburg news
- Fox 13 News
