City unveils Port St. Pete redevelopment concepts

The vastly underutilized Port of St. Petersburg will soon have a new master plan, for the first time in 26 years.

However, it will take over a decade to fully redevelop the aging, multi-use facility and 4.4 acres of adjacent land just south of the downtown core. While a city consultant unveiled three concepts highlighting various uses at a project open house Wednesday evening, those are “by no means” a reflection of “what will and will not be done.”

The three proposals show new infrastructure, facilities or greenspace extending into Bayboro Harbor. Before the presentation, Enterprise Facilities Manager David Wirth said federal regulations and permitting could hinder those plans.

“Some of them, I don’t think there’s going to be too many permitting requirements or hassles,” Wirth said of the concepts. “Other ones could literally take an act of Congress to reshape the federal channel. If you’re really building the port outward … that’s going to be significantly more of a lift.”

The port’s vacant, 1,200-linear-foot wharf leads up to the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science.

Local leaders agreed to take a long-overdue look at the port’s trajectory in January 2023. Maritime consultancy firm Moffatt & Nichol will submit a final master plan and reinvestment strategy in December.

Port St. Pete features a 1,200-linear-foot wharf, two buildings and a surface parking lot in St. Petersburg’s Innovation District, which is wrapping up its first master plan. U.S. Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, the Maritime Defense and Technology Hub, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Research Institute, the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science and Albert Whitted Airport surround the port.

USF’s College of Nursing leases one of the port’s buildings. The city is now replacing its storm-damaged roof.

“The future development of the port is probably going to dictate that the whole area is going to change,” Wirth said. “So, we’re not looking to do any major upgrades right now – unless we absolutely have to.”

He stressed the importance of gathering community feedback to shape the city’s plans for the site. “I can definitively say that we need something new for the port,” Wirth said.

Massive yachts occasionally dock at that port, as does a seasonal, regional cruise line. The facility temporarily housed the Cross Bay Ferry, although officials plan to build space for a new service at the St. Pete Pier.

Port Concept 1 emphasizes recreational uses. Image: Moffat & Nichol.

Long Beach, California-based Moffat & Nichol, which operates a Tampa office, drafted this mission statement for the master planning process: “Sustain the Port of St. Petersburg as a dynamic, resilient and multi-use waterfront district. Leverage its unique maritime infrastructure to drive sustainable economic growth by activating underutilized port lands and waterfront areas for new and expanded maritime activity, research and innovation, recreation and other complementary uses.”

While government, research and institutional facilities surround the site, a project survey repeatedly asks residents to consider shopping, dining and entertainment uses. Recreational boating and tourism facilities dominate the area in Concept 1.

Concept 2 prioritizes marine industrial activity and massive maintenance and repair facilities. It also features a second hub building. The costliest proposal also provides the greatest return on investment.

Concept 3 would expand innovation and research facilities and implement dedicated infrastructure. The plan would also create a significant amount of park and green space and enhance cruise operations.

Consultants consider Concept 3 the least costly and the most “iconic.” Wirth noted that the hub is “doing great,” and Innovation District stakeholders hope to create a sister facility.

Concept 2 features a mix of economic drivers and utilizes most of the harbor. Image: Moffat and Nichol.

Adaptability, environmental resilience, collaboration and inclusivity are focal points for the city and its consultants. The master planning process began in January with a site tour and stakeholder meetings.

Initial feedback helped inform Moffat & Nichol’s preliminary concepts. The firm will now incorporate community input as it refines those ideas. “We want that constant, year-long usage of the facility,” Wirth said.

A project survey will close July 2. However, the city will host a final work session and offer another poll in October.

To take the survey, visit the website here.

Concept 3 would bolster current research and innovation operations and create green space. Image: Moffat & Nichol.