St. Petersburg, Florida continues to work toward being a more walkable city. In 2016, it ranked as one the most walkable cities in the state of Florida. New shops, grocery stores, and even food halls downtown can cater to a burgeoning population of residents in the surrounding historic neighborhoods that are looking to be less car dependent. Tonight, November 13, renowned city and urban planner Jeff Speck, will discuss how a more walkable downtown can save America.

The event takes place at The Palladium Theater and begins at 7pm. A books signing will follow Speck’s lecture at 8pm. Need a copy of Speck’s bestselling book Walkable City? Tombolo Books will be on hand selling copies of Speck’s book along with additional relevant local books.

As Director of Design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 through 2007, he presided over the Mayors’ Institute on City Design and created the Governors’ Institute on Community Design. Prior to his federal appointment, Mr. Speck spent ten years as Director of Town Planning at DPZ & Co., the principal firm behind the New Urbanism movement.

Since 2007, he has led Speck & Associates, a boutique planning firm that specializes in making American downtowns thrive. With Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Speck is the co-author of The Smart-Growth Manual and the “modern classic” Suburban Nation, which the Wall Street Journal calls “the urbanist’s bible.”

The event is presented by Preserve the Burg with partner Open Partnership Education Network.

The Palladium Theater is located at 253 5th Avenue North.