In 2018, St. Petersburg approved up to $5 million to help preserve historic buildings downtown. Years later, the city has held just one round of grants.
Planning Director Derek Kilborn acknowledged during a Committee of the Whole meeting Sept. 24 that little has changed since City Council and the Community Planning and Preservation Commission discussed restarting the program a year ago.
The Historic Building Grant Program helps owners fix up historic properties within the Intown redevelopment area, which covers much of downtown. The city can cover up to half of eligible renovation costs, with the owner paying the rest. It is not a citywide program; many historic homes outside downtown do not qualify…