St. Petersburg officials have long sought a permanent downtown location for the Cross Bay Ferry, which connects downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. A potential solution has emerged in the form of a federal grant that Hillsborough County currently holds but no longer wants to manage.

In fiscal year 2021, Hillsborough County received a $4.86 million federal Passenger Ferry Grant to support the expansion of the Cross Bay Ferry service. However, the county no longer wants to oversee the embattled ferry service, and the grant is approaching its expiration date in October 2025.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will soon take over the selection of a ferry operator before the current use agreement ends. PSTA leadership has explored using the remaining Hillsborough grant money to fund a much-needed permanent dock for the ferry in St. Petersburg.

Brad Miller, CEO of PSTA, noted that Hillsborough County “never did anything” with the grant and that returning the money “makes all of us not look great.” He stated that the funds “have to be used – somehow – on the ferry,” and that there is a clear need for a new permanent dock for ferry services in St. Petersburg.

The grant was originally secured by Congresswoman Kathy Castor to help the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) purchase a new vessel and expand the Cross Bay Ferry service. However, HART has faced procurement issues and other challenges that have delayed the planned expansion.

With Hillsborough County no longer interested in managing the ferry service, PSTA has expressed interest in taking over the grant funds. Miller said he would ask the Federal Transit Administration if PSTA could use the grant, potentially to fund the construction of a permanent dock in St. Petersburg, rather than purchasing a new vessel.

Councilmember Gina Driscoll noted that since the agencies have partnered to provide the ferry service, it “would make sense” for the federal grant to be transferred to PSTA. Harry Glenn, a federal lobbyist for PSTA, also stated that the grant funds could be used for docking and pier facilities, which would align with the agency’s plans.

This development represents a potential solution to the long-standing challenge of securing a permanent home for the Cross Bay Ferry in downtown St. Petersburg. With the grant funds approaching their expiration, stakeholders are exploring ways to utilize the available resources to benefit the ferry service and the community.

The Cross Bay Ferry suspended service for a time but began operating again on Friday, October 4, resuming its scenic, convenient travel option.

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(Image credit: Veronica Brezina)