News Summary
The St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously approved the sale of land to St. Pete for STEAM to revitalize the St. Petersburg Science Center. Valued at $1.6 million, this decision follows a heated discussion on future wastewater resource requirements and potential environmental impacts. Council members emphasized financial practicality and the importance of continued exploration of alternative sites for wastewater management while pushing ahead with the Science Center project, meant to boost local education and community engagement.
St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously approved the sale of city land to a private group, known as St. Pete for STEAM, to revive the long-closed St. Petersburg Science Center. The sale is valued at $1.6 million and marks a significant step toward revitalizing the once-popular educational venue.
This decision followed heated discussions regarding the administration’s previous claims that selling the land was not feasible due to future wastewater resource requirements. A recent feasibility study highlighted the Science Center as a potential site for a new water reclamation facility, although this project is not currently funded or planned. Mayor Ken Welch had stated earlier that he would not support the sale based on the findings of the report, which suggested potential environmental impacts and resource needs.
During the council meeting, members emphasized the importance of a proactive approach in identifying viable locations for future waste and stormwater management, while expressing disagreements over the necessity of these projects at the Science Center site. Council member Mike Harting noted the significantly higher construction costs at the Science Center compared to other potential sites, stressing that financial practicality is a crucial consideration for the council.
Despite previous concerns, the City Council motion was approved to sell the land for the Science Center while encouraging continued exploration of alternative locations for wastewater needs. Council member Gina Driscoll played a key role in steering discussions towards finalizing the agreement and ensuring that future infrastructure needs are met without stalling the Science Center project.
This revitalization effort is supported by numerous stakeholders, including local officials and organizations such as the Tampa Bay Rays and various educational institutions. These supporters believe the project could play a crucial role in boosting community engagement and educational opportunities for residents.
The feasibility report evaluated nine potential sites in Northwest St. Petersburg and ranked the Science Center alongside an existing brush site as the most suitable for future water projects. Interestingly, the report indicated that the demolition costs for the Science Center would be approximately four times higher than clearing the alternative brush site, further complicating the city’s options moving forward.
Council member Richie Floyd raised concerns about the implications of the mayor’s shifting stance regarding the sale and underscored the necessity of delivering certainty for businesses in their dealings with the city. The unanimous vote by the Council is viewed as a strong endorsement for the revitalization project, projecting confidence in its benefits for the community while handling necessary infrastructure changes.
Advocates for the Science Center, which include former city council members and state legislators, have been vocal in their support, pushing for funding and community backing for the project. Community advocate Joe Hamilton commented on the unanimous decision as a crucial step for the revitalization initiative.
Additionally, this revitalization project is linked to the aspirations of establishing an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence (AICOE), signifying a move towards empowering local education with technological integration. Stakeholders and council members have expressed hopes to begin construction swiftly once the sale transaction is finalized, indicating a sense of urgency and excitement surrounding the possibilities that the revitalized Science Center may offer to St. Petersburg.
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Additional Resources
- Florida Politics: St. Pete City Council All In for Science Center
- Wikipedia: St. Petersburg, Florida
- WFLA: Science is Under Attack
- Google Search: St. Petersburg Science Center
- St. Pete Catalyst: Funding Plans for New Science Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida
- St. Pete Catalyst: State Funding for Science Center Revival
- Google News: St. Petersburg Science Center
- I Love the Burg: Sidewalk Science Center Mars Festival
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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.
