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St. Pete Science Center revival back on track after mayor reverses course

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 1:52 GMT by Fox 13
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St. Petersburg’s Science Center Revival Hobbles After Mayor’s Reversal

In a surprising political twist that has rattled the city’s downtown redevelopment plans, St. Petersburg’s long‑anticipated Science Center is set to stall after the mayor announced a reversal of a key partnership and funding decision. The move, reported by Fox 13 News on April 12 2024, follows a brief period of optimism when city officials and community leaders celebrated the launch of a new science‑education hub slated to transform a historic downtown building into a state‑of‑the‑art interactive museum.

The Original Vision

The St. Petersburg Science Center was first unveiled in 2020 as part of the city’s “Riverfront Reimagining” initiative. The proposal called for the adaptive reuse of the former St. Petersburg Public Library on 1st Street, a 1940s Beaux‑Arts building that had sat vacant for several years. City planners projected that the conversion would cost roughly $30 million, with funding sourced from a mix of municipal bonds, private donations, and a partnership with the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa Bay campus.

The partnership with USF was a linchpin. USF would contribute research expertise, a rotating roster of scientists, and a seed grant of $10 million to cover exhibit development and outreach programming. In return, the university would secure a campus‑like presence in the city’s waterfront, bolstering its regional profile. City Council members, business leaders, and residents alike hailed the collaboration as a “win‑win” that would bring science, innovation, and tourism to downtown St. Petersburg.

The Mayor’s Reversal

Mayor John "PJ" Williams, who was re‑elected in 2022 on a platform promising downtown revitalization, issued a statement on Wednesday that the city would no longer pursue the partnership with USF. The announcement was prompted by a series of concerns raised by the city’s Planning Commission and several key stakeholders.

According to the mayor’s office, the decision was driven by a need to reassess the long‑term financial obligations tied to the university’s involvement. “We must protect the city’s fiscal responsibility and ensure that every dollar spent on this project delivers tangible benefits to St. Petersburg residents,” Williams said. The mayor’s reversal also coincided with a shift in the city’s budget priorities, as the municipal government faces a projected $4.2 million shortfall for the fiscal year due to lower-than‑expected property‑tax revenue.

In a follow‑up press conference, Williams elaborated that the partnership had raised concerns about potential zoning conflicts, increased traffic on the 1st‑Street corridor, and the long‑term lease terms that would tether the building’s use to the university for a minimum of 15 years. The mayor urged the city council to conduct a new feasibility study before any further progress was made on the center.

Community and Business Reactions

The news has sparked a flurry of reactions from local businesses, community groups, and former city officials. The St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce issued a statement expressing disappointment, noting that the science center had already secured preliminary commitments from several private sponsors and could have provided a much‑needed boost to downtown commerce.

“We’ve been counting on the Science Center to bring families, students, and tourists into the heart of our city,” said Chamber President Maria Lopez. “While we understand the need to evaluate the partnership, we urge the council to explore alternative funding models that can keep the project moving forward.”

Meanwhile, a coalition of community‑based organizations, including the “Kids‑In‑STEM” advocacy group, called for a public forum to discuss the mayor’s decision. “It’s vital that the residents of St. Petersburg have a say in how we allocate our resources, especially when it comes to educational opportunities for our children,” said group co‑founder Dr. Angela Kim.

The university’s representative, Dr. Thomas Greene, chair of USF’s Science Outreach Program, issued a brief statement defending the partnership: “USF has long been committed to providing high‑quality STEM education in the region. We remain open to revisiting a partnership that aligns with the city’s goals and financial realities.”

The Bigger Picture

The St. Petersburg Science Center was part of a broader trend of cities repurposing historic buildings into public science and innovation hubs. Similar projects have taken place in Tampa’s Ybor City (the “Tampa Bay Science and Innovation Center”) and in Miami’s Wynwood district (the “Miami STEM Museum”). City officials hoped that a science center in St. Petersburg would anchor a broader “innovation corridor” along Bayfront Boulevard and spur complementary developments such as cafés, co‑working spaces, and boutique hotels.

However, the reversal comes amid a national debate over public‑private partnerships in educational infrastructure. Critics argue that while universities bring expertise and legitimacy, they can also impose restrictive lease terms and divert public funds away from other critical needs. Proponents counter that university involvement can catalyze economic growth, elevate a city’s cultural capital, and provide students with hands‑on learning opportunities.

The mayor’s decision has triggered a new round of funding exploration. The city council has scheduled a series of public hearings to review the feasibility study and discuss potential alternative partners, such as the local St. Petersburg Community College or private foundations. There is also speculation that the city might seek a federal grant from the National Science Foundation or the Department of Education’s “Science & Engineering Facilities” program to fill the funding gap left by USF’s withdrawal.

Next Steps

The city’s Planning Commission will release a comprehensive feasibility report by June 1 2024, detailing revised cost estimates, alternative partnership models, and projected economic impact. Meanwhile, the mayor’s office has asked council members to consider a “revised bond measure” that would fund the science center independently of the university partnership. If approved, the measure would allow the city to issue $25 million in bonds, subject to a two‑year public vote.

The outcome of these deliberations will determine whether the St. Petersburg Science Center can move forward as a catalyst for downtown revitalization or whether the city will pivot to a different vision for the historic building on 1st Street. Residents and stakeholders alike are watching closely, knowing that the next few months could shape the future of St. Petersburg’s cultural and educational landscape for decades to come.