St. Petersburg Expands Green Spaces with New Park and Pump Station

News Summary

St. Petersburg City Council has approved the purchase of nearly three acres of land along Salt Creek for a new park and pump station. This initiative aims to enhance the city’s green spaces and improve flood management in the community. The park, which will feature landscaping, public art, and educational elements, is also designed to mitigate flooding concerns, especially after heavy rains. This project is part of a broader strategy to promote environmental sustainability while enhancing urban livability.

St. Petersburg’s New Vision: Green Spaces and a Pump Station!

Hey there, St. Petersburg! Exciting things are happening in our beautiful city as the City Council has just given the green light to purchase nearly three acres of empty land nestled along Salt Creek. It’s a big step forward in our quest for a more vibrant community with more green spaces and better flood management.

What’s the Scoop?

This soon-to-be park is cleverly tucked between 4th Street South and 18th Avenue South. The land consists of two different zones: 1.7 acres that falls under Corridor Commercial Traditional (CCT-1) and 1.26 acres zoned for Neighborhood Suburban Multi-Family (NSM-1). The tentative purchase price? It’s aiming to be at or below $2.9 million.

Back in July, the property was evaluated and given an estimated market value of $2.88 million, so it seems like the city is getting a fair deal. St. Petersburg City Council member Gina Driscoll has been particularly passionate about advancing this acquisition, highlighting how it fits into the broader plan to expand our green spaces.

Why a Park and Pump Station?

Now, you might ask, why create a park? Well, after the heavy rains from hurricanes like Hurricane Milton, *flooding* has been a significant concern for our waterside neighborhoods. This new park is not just about aesthetics; it’s a vital part of a strategy to help combat flooding in the area. The plan includes constructing a brand-new pump station to assist in managing excess rainwater—talk about smart planning!

What Will This New Park Include?

Once completed, this future park space promises to be a delight for everyone. Expect vibrant landscaping, captivating public art, and engaging educational components to enhance the community experience. Imagine strolling through this green haven with your friends, family, or even just enjoying some peace and quiet by the water. The design aims to extend Bartlett Park and hold onto portions of the land as natural wetlands—preserving our ecosystem while managing water runoff.

A Park Like No Other!

The committee has drawn some fascinating parallels, likening this planned park to the popular Clam Bayou Nature Preserve. By infusing nature with functional design, it hopes to create a space where beauty meets practicality. It circles back to preserving the environment amidst urban development—pretty innovative, if you ask me!

What’s Next?

Apart from the land acquisition for the park, the City Council also approved a contract worth $5.1 million with Ric-Man Construction for some preliminary work on the pump station. That’s a two-for-one deal—more green space and better flood management all at once.

The Bigger Picture

10.5 acres of nearby property for a hefty $43.7 million. Rumor has it that they may be planning a mixed-use development, but as of now, no official redevelopment plans have made their way to St. Petersburg City Hall.

Final Thoughts

In all, this ambitious park and pump station project is just one more feather in St. Petersburg’s cap! With investments in green spaces and improved infrastructure, our city is on its way to being an even greater place to live, work, and play. Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting project unfolds!

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Additional Resources

• St. Pete Catalyst: Rethinking Urban Development
• I Love The Burg: St. Pete Waterfront Master Plan
• St. Pete Catalyst: County St. Pete Aid Preparation
• Wikipedia
• Encyclopedia Britannica