Mayor Welch delivered his third State of the City address from the Palladium Theater (253 5th Ave N.) stage on February 4, 2025. In it, he outlined St. Petersburg’s successes, challenges, and resiliency in 2024, centering his comments on the city’s actions following hurricanes Helene and Milton, which created 2.1 million cubic yards of debris.
City Council Chair Copley Gerdes vividly illustrated the magnitude of 2.1 million cubic yards of debris, equated it to a football field, goal post to goal post, as high as the Empire State Building. The debris was cleared in a mind-bogglingly quick 90 days. Looming in that achievement, however, is the reality that St. Pete is facing unprecedented environmental problems.
Mayor Welch stressed that investments in environment, infrastructure, and resilience, must keep pace with record storm surges, extreme weather, and climate change to protect the citizens’ way of life. “The clock on climate change has accelerated,” says Welch. “This is not a time to panic, but focus and react.”
Welch elaborates on Pillars of progress
Mayor Welch spotlit the St. Pete Agile Resistance Plan (SPAR), which aims to flood-proof critical buildings, install aqua fences, and improve the capacity of the Northeast water reclamation facility to curb future flood damage. These projects are already underway, and despite these challenges, St. Petersburg retains a double A+ rating, with a stable outlook.
Progress in environmental, infrastructure, and resilience represents one of the five primary “Pillars of Progress” that have driven Welch’s mayoral tenure. The other Pillars for Progress include 1) Education and Youth Opportunities; 2) Equitable Development, Arts and Business Opportunities; 3) Neighborhood Health and Safety; 4) Housing Opportunities for All.
Major highlights among the pillars include 281 new affordable housing units that went online in 2024, combating rising housing costs; Fire Station 2 in West St. Pete is slated to open, increasing fire training capability. The city’s dedication to economic growth is evident in the Microfund Program, which has aided 196 small businesses, with an allocation of $1.5 million to assist business owners with viable strategies. Additionally, $3.2 million of arts funding was allocated, including an additional $695,000 provided by the city to offset unforeseen state funding cuts for the arts; the first-ever Safe Summer Fridays series provided safe events for at-risk youth.
Continued developments and additional news
Despite the successes in 2024, a prominent issue remains unresolved. After Tropicana Field incurred hurricane damage, the city has yet to agree with the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal. If the city partners with the Rays, the historic Gas Plant District will be closer than ever to being redeveloped into a mixed-use space anchored by the stadium.
While Mayor Welch hopes the Rays will honor their previous agreement, if they decline the partnership, he assures that the city will find another means. “We are prepared to adapt, adjust, and move forward,” said Welch.
In additional news, residents of St. Petersburg can anticipate the opening of the Obama Library, which is on target for a late summer debut, the coming online of new affordable housing, The Grove, Pelican Place, and Shell Dash, and the Municipal Marina recommendations proposed to City Council in 2025.
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