Before inviting developers, the City must adopt a real redevelopment plan first.
In mid-November, Mayor Ken Welch plans to open a 30-day window inviting developers to submit new proposals for the 86-acre Gas Plant site — the land under and around Tropicana Field.
A Call to the Mayor and City Council
My guest column in the Tampa Bay Times today (also printed at the bottom) — “When It Comes to St. Pete’s Trop Site, Plan Before You Build” — explains why the City’s 30-day process skips the essential first step required: adopting a redevelopment plan that meets the state law requirements before seeking private proposals.
In that column, I outline why this 30-day “open window” for new Gas Plant proposals isn’t just rushed — it’s inconsistent with Florida’s Community Redevelopment Act (Statutes 163.360–163.380), which require cities to plan first and build second. While I’m not a lawyer, I’ve read the relevant statutes carefully and I am confident I have got this right…