Mayor Ken Welch made a surprise announcement this morning, regarding the Tropicana Field redevelopment project. At a press conference – staged on the western periphery of the Trop site at 10 a.m. – Welch outlined a new direction for the $3+ billion endeavor.
Rather than choose between the two finalist developers left from his predecessor’s selection process, the City is opting to cancel the former review cycle and start from scratch.
The Mayor cited vastly changed conditions as the basis of his decision. Chief among them were the skyrocketing cost of housing, the pandemic’s epic impact on the office market, and the need for intentionality in achieving equitable development.
The Welch administration plans to issue a new Request for Proposals (RFP) from developers this August. The two finalists who’d hoped to be chosen by Welch – JMA/Sugar Hill and Midtown Development – are encouraged to submit proposals once the new RFP is released, according to a press release by City Hall.
The Mayor’s decision may disappoint those firmly wedded to one of the development teams. But some see it as a wise choice on Welch’s part.
Based on my own deep-dive into the proposals, the developers were not as concrete as we need them to be, when it comes to their economic equity and inclusion programs.
Their proposal documents contained conflicting information on important community benefits, such as their goals for inclusion of small and minority-owned firms, as well as the amount of contracting that would happen with local companies.
The path chosen by Mayor Welch also avoids the possibility of a lawsuit by one of the developers, while giving due time to the Tampa Bay Rays to finalize their plans.
Most importantly, Mayor Welch wants to see a fresh new conversation with community stakeholders about the project, especially in light of all that we’ve learned since Mayor Rick Kriseman initiated the selection process in early 2020.
NAACP President Esther Eugene agrees with Mayor Welch’s choice. “I think this is a very good thing,” she said after attending the presser. “It allows a new Mayor – with a viewpoint of someone with roots in the Gas Plant area – to ask these developers to articulate their visions, not just for what will be built on the site, but for the strategies that will lead to economic upliftment of the entire area.”
Pastor Manuel Sykes of Bethel Community Baptist Church is backing the JMA/Sugar Hill team but says the mayor made a sound decision.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Mayor Welch for his thoroughness in choosing a developer for the most historical opportunity ever undertaken by this city,” said Rev. Sykes. “The selection will bridge the decades of unkept promises, forced migration, and economic destruction of the Gas Plant community, including the voices of those whose graves lie under the streets and highways of promised development.”
Though hoping for JMA/Sugar Hill to be selected, Rev. Sykes said he recognizes this as a singular opportunity. “This is the one and only shot we have to ‘get it right.’ I am persuaded that this delay is not a denial, and the additional time will yield an even greater outcome in addressing St. Petersburg’s present and future, while redressing those injured by its past.”
Gwendolyn Reese, President of the African American Heritage Association, voiced disappointment in the decision to delay the process. She was the only non-governmental staffer to sit on the selection committee assembled by former Mayor Kriseman in 2021.
“I fully respect Mayor Welch’s choice to re-start this process but wish he would have done so immediately after taking office,” said Reese. “We are delaying a process that has been so long in the making. I think that it does not speak well for us as a city. It begs the question of whether developers will want to engage with us, given the reputation we now have.”
Rev. J. C. Pritchett weighed in on Welch’s decision with a Facebook post that read in part, “Today Mayor Welch made clear to our community and city a willingness to keep baseball in Saint Petersburg and to develop the former Gas Plant area into a space and place that would make our ancestors proud.”
Activist Carla Bristol was more strident in tone. Her take: “This demonstrated true leadership by the Mayor. I think it’s a right decision for him to push pause. It’s only for six months more on a project that’s been years in the making.”
Bristol called the decision “well worth it, given the major issues Mayor Welch raised.” She continued, “This is consistent with his commitment to intentionality in decision-making, which – in this case – involves being intentional about achieving generational wealth and righting past wrongs.”
When asked for her thoughts, Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders commented, “There were two things that came to mind upon hearing the new direction. The first was how much in taxpayer dollars has already been spent on this effort, and two, the Rays should have been involved with the process all along. That says a lot about respect and relationships. I am glad to have them on board.”
Terri Lipsey Scott, Executive Director of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, was succinct in her reaction. She said of the decision, “I think that the Mayor’s comments were bold, brave and inclusive. The reality is we have not been engaged in this dialogue at the depth warranted by this historic project. Nor have the Rays.”
Brother John Muhammad, Co-Founder of the New Deal, gave a thumbs up. “I support Mayor Welch’s decision. This is one of the largest developments in the nation and a once in a generation opportunity,” said Muhammad. “We are hopeful the new RFP process will include an intentional focus on equity, create space for those who were directly impacted by the original plan to offer input and be open to bold ideas that include reparative justice measures that can right the wrongs of the past, while also addressing present and future needs of the city.”
Councilmember Lisa Wheeler-Bowman was enthusiastic about the move. “This is an exciting opportunity,” said the two-term policy maker. “I’m looking forward to city council working with Mayor Welch, city staff and the Rays to create a place that will benefit all of our residents.”
Jabaar Edmond was cautiously optimistic. “I agree with all that the Mayor said this morning. I want to know more about what it means to ‘re-look’ at this,” he said. “But I’m in agreement with this direction. It’s my hope that the runway to the ultimate decision is not a long one.” Edmond served on the city-commissioned structural racism study team that completed its work late last year.
Jalessa Blackshear, an activist who also served on the structural racism team, wasn’t surprised by the decision. She was fairly neutral on Welch’s choice and cautions, “If there is not a Gas Plant restitution fund that supports the descendants of that neighborhood, then whatever is built there will not succeed.”
“Real redress is the only way to right the wrongs of the past,” said Blackshear. Her family roots are in the historic Methodist Town community.
Attorney Tamara Felton-Howard expressed confidence in the choice, while encouraging speed. “I trust Mayor Welch to make an astute, well-reasoned and informed decision. With that being said, I hope that this process can be completed quickly so that the community can begin to reap the benefits of a redeveloped Trop site.” Felton-Howard was Co-Chair of the CBA Policy Council that advocated for the Community Benefits Agreement policy adopted by City Council last year.
Attorney Shannon Ligon, a St. Pete native, also approves. She commented on Facebook, “I am glad to hear that new leadership will get an opportunity to help make decisions regarding this important matter in our historic neighborhoods and communities!” Ligon is Senior Partner at Pretty Smart Law, headquartered in central Florida.
Florida Senator Darryl Rouson gave “applause for the pause” (his words), saying “Mayor Welch is the right leader at this once in a lifetime, transformational moment. He is not only a product of St. Petersburg but a son of the Gas Plant area. It is significantly important that we get this right. Mayor Welch is burdened and blessed by legacy and an opportunity to bring inspiration to future generations. His decision to terminate and reissue the RFP is a pause, not a denial.”
Rouson added, “It is important that the Rays be shown the respect they deserve at every phase of the development process. The shared goal is about economic development, badly needed housing and jobs.”
“This is a generational project that has to be done right, and we can’t focus solely on getting it done as quickly as possible at this point, after many years of debate,” Mayor Welch commented Wednesday evening.
“The Gas Plant promises are more than three decades old, and the community has been waiting a long time for the promised benefits with respect to the sacrifice of the Gas Plant community,” said Welch. “A few more months is a relatively short time to make sure that we are choosing the right path.”
At least one of the developers in question responded with positive remarks. Moments after Mayor Welch wrapped his press conference, the JMA/Sugar Hill team sent the following to local media:
“We appreciate Mayor Welch’s thoughtful approach to the Tropicana Field redevelopment and respect his decision to continue the evaluation process.
“We have worked tirelessly since fall 2020 to develop, expand, and refine our community-driven vision for the Tropicana site: an inclusive, sustainable neighborhood that is a catalyst for job creation and economic growth.
“We continue to be inspired by the hundreds of residents, including community, business, and faith leaders, that we have been privileged to engage and work with throughout this process…We look forward to continuing that effort as we move to the next phase of the selection process.”
Midtown Development has not yet returned an email requesting comment.
Click here to read the Mayor’s press release and FAQ on the topic.
