Today was groundbreaking in more ways than one in St. Pete’s EDGE District. The City held an official groundbreaking ceremony for The Central by Ellison Development – the mixed-use development going up on the former police headquarters property – and as part of the festivities, celebrated local artist Ya La’ford unveiled the renderings of her statue honoring St. Pete’s “Courageous 12” that will be a centerpiece of the new development.
The Courageous 12 are the twelve St. Petersburg police officers who fought to end segregation within the police department in the 1960s, and their monument will stand in the public plaza that is part of the new development. The group of 12 black officers, risking significant repercussions, went to court in 1965 to gain the full rights and authority of their white counterparts.
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“It is an honor to answer the call of creating a unique public memorial that will serve as a tribute to highlight the sacrifice, duty and service of these 12 courageous African American officers,” La’ford said. “It is really important that we tell their story in a very unique, yet strong and beautiful way.”
Sure to become a local favorite, the monument will feature 12 bronze elements and a large-scale geometric police cover with a shield, signifying the connection of the 12 officers’ path to justice, the obstacles they encountered and their eventual triumph for equality. The 12 bronze busts highlighted at the heart of this tribute replicate each officer proudly wearing their uniform.
La’ford says the materials “tell a story of resilience, unity and remembrance. Bronze was chosen for its ability to capture intricate details to bring a sense of each officer’s unique characteristics and personalities, creating a profound connection between viewers and subjects. The monument’s base will be aluminum and concrete, a material base associated with strength and longevity.”
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“I am humbled and honored to stand here today—knowing that our journey will be remembered and will continue to inspire others,” said Leon Jackson, the last surviving member of the Courageous 12. “It wasn’t just about us. It was about confronting racism. It was about reshaping the system. We believed in justice and that the future could be better.”
The monument will stand twenty feet tall and include LED lighting with dusk-to-dawn activation. St. Petersburg City Council will officially vote to move the project forward on Thursday.
With the new monument welcoming guests, The Central will include the first new 4-star hotel in downtown since the Vinoy opened in 1926 and the city’s first new Class A office space in almost 40 years. The development is located at 1300 Central Avenue, across from Ferg’s. Stay tuned for updates.
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