Florida Construction News staff writer
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has delivered the 2025 State of the City address, highlighting a strong year for new construction.
In 2024, St. Petersburg saw nearly $1.4 billion in new construction value, a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Notable developments included 281 new affordable housing units, spanning projects like Whispering Pines Apartments, the Edward White Campus, and Bear Creek Commons.
Additionally, the city will soon see further expansion as Foot Locker relocates its global HQ to St. Pete, bringing 150 high-paying jobs and likely spurring commercial development.
Looking ahead, several key projects are set to break ground:
- Sanitation Department Complex – A new facility will replace aging 50-year-old buildings, aiming for net-zero energy consumption. The ribbon cutting is expected in late spring or summer 2025.
- Municipal Marina Redevelopment – The City Council will review recommendations and proposals in March 2025, potentially bringing waterfront infrastructure upgrades.
- Obama Library – This landmark project remains on track for a late summer 2025 opening.
- Affordable Housing Developments – St. Petersburg will partner with Habitat for Humanity on several new projects, including The Grove (10 units), Pelican Place (36 units), and Shell Dash (10 units). Additionally, redevelopment will begin at the former Ceridian campus and Raytheon site, adding another 200 affordable and workforce housing units.
- $750M Resilience Infrastructure Investment – Under the St. Pete Agile Resilience Plan, the city aims to fortify infrastructure against climate challenges, presenting long-term opportunities for contractors, engineers, and developers.
- $159M CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant – These funds will be used to support housing infrastructure and resiliency projects, further boosting construction activity.
“As we look ahead to 2025, one thing is clear—St. Petersburg is a city on the rise, unified, and focused on inclusive progress,” Mayor Welch said. “From addressing housing challenges to driving economic opportunity, from enhancing public safety to advancing environmental resilience, we are taking bold, strategic steps toward a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.”
For more details on upcoming projects, visit www.stpete.org/SPAR.