Mayor: Woodson Museum belongs in redeveloped Gas Plant

Uncertainty surrounding the Historic Gas Plant’s redevelopment – anchored by a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark – caused the Woodson African American Museum of Florida to rescind a $10 million funding request.

However, Mayor Ken Welch subsequently pledged his support for the St. Petersburg institution’s long-awaited expansion, with or without a Rays deal.

Terri Lipsey Scott, the museum’s executive director, withdrew her request Tuesday in a letter sent to Pinellas County Commissioners hours before their scheduled vote. The funding stems from tourism development tax dollars administered through the biannual Capital Projects Funding Program.

“Despite our best efforts, we face challenges in meeting the criteria set for this year’s capital funding cycle, particularly given the uncertainties surrounding the master development of the Gas Plant redevelopment project,” Scott wrote.

A new Woodson Museum would feature prominently in the Gas Plant’s $6.5 billion redevelopment, led by the Rays. The team committed $10 million to the $38.3 million project, which would have opened with the stadium in 2028.

Those long-negotiated plans are now tenuous, at best, and the Rays have until March 31 to meet several public funding stipulations. Lipsey-Scott said she looks forward to reapplying “when a greater degree of certainty has been reached.”

Welch said the city should support the museum “regardless of which path the Rays take.” The Woodson has operated from a roughly 4,000-square-foot former community center in South St. Petersburg since 2006.

“The importance of our history and the connection between the Woodson and Historic Gas Plant is very strong, so we’ll get it done,” Welch told the Catalyst. “If the Rays make a different decision, it might be another location within the Historic Gas Plant.”

Terri Lipsey Scott (right), executive director of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, motions towards a rendering of a new facility in a redeveloped Historic Gas Plant District at a flag-raising ceremony in February 2024. Photo by Mark Parker.

The 86 acres surrounding what is now Tropicana Field once housed a thriving Black community. City officials began razing the area in the late 1970s to make way for the interstate and, eventually, a stadium with no team.

Displaced residents and business owners, including the mayor’s family, were promised jobs and economic revitalization. Those promises remain deferred, and Welch has sought to make amends through the largest project in St. Petersburg’s history.

In 2019, former Mayor Rick Kriseman’s administration offered Scott 5.5 acres about a quarter mile north of the current facility at 2240 9^th Ave. S. in Jordan Park, the state’s oldest public housing community. While appreciative, Scott has noted the property was not ideal.

“For nearly 20 years, we have worked diligently to showcase African American history, art and culture in ways never before seen in our community,” she wrote Tuesday.

A vastly expanded, state-of-the-art museum was a key part of the Rays and Hines development team’s $50 million community benefits package. Their $10 million commitment to the museum hinged on Scott completing a financing plan and securing half the project’s cost.

Welch declined to opine if a new ownership group would trigger another community benefits process. “What I do know is that the Woodson is important to our community,” he said.

“The city has made investments and agreements with the Woodson on the Deuces (22^nd Street South), but I believe the Historic Gas Plant is the right site,” Welch added. “We’ll just have to see who the partners are going forward – the city will be one of those partners.”

Scott’s request needed the commission’s approval as museum attendees do not book at least 25,000 annual room nights, which is required. County documents state that the project, over the next decade, would generate a $79 million economic impact, $1 million in new tourism development taxes and 74,800 incremental room nights.

County commissioners have been at odds with the team, which blames their bond authorization delays for increasing costs and jeopardizing the stadium deal. They would have likely delayed a vote until after the Rays announced their intentions.

The Tourist Development Council would consider a new request before presenting their recommendation to commissioners in 2027. “We look forward to reapplying when a greater degree of certainty has been reached,” Scott wrote.

Jason Mathis, CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, was a Community Benefits Advisory Council member during negotiations with the Rays. He remains optimistic that a deal with the development team will move forward “in some capacity, in some way.”

Mathis also believes a new home for the Woodson Museum is inevitable. “I just think they said, ‘We’re not ready to spend $18 million right now,’ and that’s the responsible, thoughtful thing to do.”

Welch called the city’s support for the Woodson Museum “unwavering.” He reflected on the years local stakeholders spent to get the redevelopment project “right” and said it “should happen.”

“So much is at stake for our community, and I’m still hopeful the right decision is made,” Welch continued. “If this is a four-year delay – it’s been 40 years since I heard the promises as a kid. I’m optimistic we’ll get it done.”