The City of St. Petersburg is reimagining the long-overlooked Port of St. Pete for the first time in more than two decades.

At a public open house Wednesday evening, city officials and consultants unveiled three preliminary concepts for redeveloping the underused port and its 4.4 acres of adjacent land south of downtown. While each proposal offers a distinct vision for the waterfront site, officials emphasize that none of the plans are final.

“This is just the beginning,” said David Wirth, the city’s Enterprise Facilities Manager. “We need input from the community to guide what comes next.”

The proposals include extending infrastructure and greenspace into Bayboro Harbor, but Wirth warned that such changes could face steep federal regulatory hurdles. “Some elements might be fairly straightforward,” he said. “Others would require major approvals, possibly even congressional action.”

The port—featuring a 1,200-foot wharf, two buildings, and a parking lot—sits in the city’s Innovation District, alongside institutions like the U.S. Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Research Institute, the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, and Albert Whitted Airport. Currently, USF’s College of Nursing occupies one of the port’s buildings, which the city is repairing following storm damage.

The redevelopment process began in early 2023, when officials tapped maritime consulting firm Moffatt & Nichol to draft a new master plan and reinvestment strategy, due in December. Their mission: “Sustain the Port of St. Petersburg as a dynamic, resilient and multi-use waterfront district” by boosting economic growth through expanded maritime, research, and recreational uses.

Here’s what each concept proposes:

• Concept 1: Focuses on recreational boating and tourism with space for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• Concept 2: Emphasizes marine industry infrastructure, including large-scale maintenance and repair facilities, and introduces a second hub building—offering the highest potential return but also the steepest costs.
• Concept 3: Centers on innovation and research expansion, integrates major green space, and upgrades cruise operations. It is seen as the most visually iconic and cost-effective of the three.

While massive yachts and seasonal cruise lines currently visit the port, it once served as a temporary home for the Cross Bay Ferry. Plans are underway to relocate ferry operations to the St. Pete Pier.

Wirth said no major upgrades are expected in the near term as the master planning effort moves forward. “The future of the port will reshape this entire area,” he said.

The city invites residents to take a short survey—open through July 2—to share their thoughts on the redevelopment. Another community poll and a final public session are scheduled for October.

Take the survey here: https://publicinput.com/b35747#tab-65797

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(Image credit: St. Pete Catalyst)

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