Council approves 13th Street Heights Neighborhood Plan

At its Thursday meeting, the St. Petersburg City Council approved the 13th Street Heights Neighborhood Plan. 

The document was developed based on resident feedback, said the City’s neighborhood relations manager Kayleigh Sagonowsky. A range of activities were conducted to help create the plan, including community engagement meetings, neighborhood walk and talks, workshops and a survey. 

“These plans not only help us identify residents’ priorities,” she explained at the meeting. “But, they also give us a chance to get out in the community and talk with our citizens about existing programs.” 

Located in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area, the 13th Street Heights neighborhood is home to the Enoch D. Davis Center, James Weldon Johnson Community Library and Silver Lake Park. 

The plan, which was created in partnership with consultant Kimley-Horn and Associates, has been in the works for more than a year. It outlines ideas on how to address safety concerns, preserve neighborhood identity and improve public facilities. 

Residents recommended multiple beautification, streetscaping and placemaking efforts. These include increasing tree coverage, enhancing neighborhood signage and providing education on proper waste disposal and the code enforcement process. 

Additionally, it was suggested, the City should encourage the development of vacant land in the neighborhood. The properties could be used to create more green space, recreational facilities, housing communities and buildings for businesses. 

Updates at Silver Lake Park, at 11th Avenue S. between 13th Street and 14th Street, were discussed in the plan as well. These include repairing the existing gazebo, adding additional shaded seating and repairing or replacing the current water foundation. 

Silver Lake Park could also host “community-led events such as block parties for businesses and residents,” according to the plan document.

Silver Lake Park. Photo: City of St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation.

A variety of transportation and mobility suggestions are outlined in the plan. Residents recommended filling potholes, paving alleys and partnering with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority to improve bus stop locations and amenities. There are opportunities to add new or repair existing sidewalks.

 The City should consider investing in traffic calming measures and bicycle and intersection infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the feasibility of adding a crosswalk on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street S. near Melrose Avenue should be explored. 

Residents were interested in more community redevelopment and safety initiatives, according to the plan. The neighborhood has the opportunity to expand skill-building, education and networking programs. Grants could be provided to local business owners to help them build facades for their establishments.  

Additional Park, Walk and Talks were requested. The St. Petersburg Police Department initiative encourages officers to “engage” with the public to help build rapport and trust. Residents also desire “more directed patrols.” 

“We’d be more than happy to engage with more Park, Walk and Talks,” St. Petersburg Police Department chief Anthony Holloway said at the Thursday meeting. 

The plan also recommended adding “more pedestrian-scaled street lighting” in Silver Lake Park and on 11th Avenue S. to help reduce crime. 

Residents were clear about their desire for more local food options. According to the document, the neighborhood could partner with the City and/or nonprofit organizations and grow fruit trees.  

“This is a neighborhood that the neighborhood association itself has been building for quite some time,” said St. Petersburg City Council member Gina Driscoll. “To be able to do this plan, it’s a huge achievement.”