Developers discuss Clean and Safe St. Pete program 

Many St. Petersburg residents have opposing opinions of a proposed program that would provide beautification, ambassador and social outreach services throughout the downtown core.

Concerns surrounding the Clean & Safe St. Pete initiative center on its funding source and potential impact on the homeless population. However, Tampa’s program has been a resounding success.

An expert explained Tampa’s implementation and highlighted the subsequent benefits Tuesday afternoon at the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership’s monthly Developer’s Council meeting. Shaun Drinkard, senior vice president of operations for the Tampa Downtown Partnership, oversaw the program’s implementation across the bay.

“I think a really important thing we always push is that services are above and beyond what the city currently offers,” Drinkard said. “When we talk about improvement districts, what is the overarching purpose? Reducing visible signs of disorder in public spaces.”

Tampa is one of over 1,000 municipalities nationwide that have adopted some form of a Clean & Safe program. Business improvement districts typically fund the initiatives through a special assessment on local property owners, which lacks support in St. Petersburg.

The Tampa partnership manages Florida’s longest-operating improvement district, which supplements equitably distributed municipal services in growing urban areas. “You can think about it in the sense of litter patrol, landscaping, maintenance, homeless liaisons and ambassadors,” Drinkard said.

Program staff collected 348 tons of trash, moved 2,868 scooters and bicycles to corrals, pressure-washed 605 city blocks, reported 1,391 code and safety issues, helped 173 stranded motorists, conducted 12,157 ambassador interactions and engaged with the homeless 1,168 times from August 2023 through July 2024.

Drinkard called the nearly 1,400 code and safety reports a “big piece of all the eyes and ears” on downtown streets. He said about 30 employees cover 1,100 acres. The partnership has a $6.6 million budget.

St. Petersburg’s program would encompass about 300 acres and require 12 to 15 employees. Drinkard said an operator – the local partnership will not oversee the initiative – would need a $1.5 million annual budget.

He said extending operations into late-night hours and “adding in homeless liaison work” would significantly increase costs. Drinkard, a St.Petersburg resident, also noted the importance of building trust with the homeless population through consistent outreach, a luxury the city and many organizations cannot afford.

“That’s where homeless outreach really begins,” he added. “It goes back to that daily engagement, the individual experience. We know there are experts out there … we’re just that connector.”

Homeless people line the streets of downtown St. Petersburg in December 2023.

Drinkard explained that Clean & Safe programs fill gaps. The initiative also helps city officials realize areas for improvement.

The programs are also flexible and eliminate bureaucratic red tape that plagues local governments. Drinkard said officials often asked him to mitigate unexpected issues until they could create a permanent solution.

“And then, inherently, something else will come down the path,” he added.

Many residents have said downtown St. Petersburg, unlike those in other cities, lacks the need for a Clean & Safe program. Drinkard advised against waiting until a seemingly minor issue becomes a crisis.

“It’s those gray areas, those in-betweens that I think many in this room understand and have defined,” he reiterated. “If you address those things now, we can continue to do great.”

Jason Mathis, CEO of the St. Petersburg partnership, said increasing municipal parking rates by 25 cents would create an additional $750,000 in annual revenue. He also believes that visitors should help fund efforts to clean the mess left behind by revelers who do not live downtown.

Mathis said tax revenues from the Residences at 400 Central will generate about $5 million to $6 million annually for the city. Officials will dedicate half to the Intown Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), which encompasses downtown, and half will go to the municipal general fund.

“That building alone will fund a Clean & Safe program here in St. Pete,” Mathis added. “Just with the CRA money.”

Councilmember Gina Driscoll said she is “strongly leaning” toward using Intown CRA dollars to fund the initiative. While that would require an amended interlocal agreement between the city and Pinellas County, she does not believe that will be an issue.

Driscoll also noted that many neighborhoods lack a surrounding CRA, and some of her colleagues on the council would want to recreate the program in their districts. An organization like the Red Apple Group, 400 Central’s development firm, could help decrease reliance on municipal funding.

“That’s kind of what my view is for the funding,” Driscoll said. “I definitely see a path with the CRA, and I see a path to ‘yes.’ I welcome all the advocacy you can muster to get this across the finish line.”