Forward Pinellas awards grants for improvements in The Deuces and Tarpon Springs

As part of Forward Pinellas’ Complete Streets initiative, the land use and transportation planning agency has awarded a $1 million construction grant to the City of St. Petersburg for streetscape and roadway improvements to the 22nd Street South area commonly known as The Deuces.

The project is derived from the Warehouse Arts District Deuces Live Joint Action Plan, finalized in December 2018 and adopted by City Council. The plan calls for significant improvements along 22nd from 11th Avenue to 18th Avenue South, including sidewalk widening and the development of the intersection of 15th Avenue South as a major gateway to the Deuces corridor.

The project, according to a media release issued by Forward Pinellas, “will improve 22nd Street South (as) a livable street with wider and more comfortable places for people to walk and bike.”

The project connects with programmed 22nd Street improvements to the north that connect to the Pinellas Trails and will be funded in part by a prior Complete Streets grant award.

The city, working with the Sankofa Vision Development Group, a coalition of local organizations, recently announced redevelopment plans for the former Commerce Park in the area, for a project called Deuces Rising. The 2.8 acres along 22^nd Street South is city-owned.

In addition, Forward Pinellas granted $100,000 to the City of Tarpon Springs for its Disston Avenue concept plan, focused on creating a corridor that will “revitalize a portion of the historic Union Academy neighborhood, provide more connections for people on bikes, walking or driving, and encourage desired redevelopment and economic growth.”

For information of Forward Pinellas and Complete Streets, click here.