'Businesses are Key' in Plan to Revitalize 34th Street Corridor

More than 100 St. Petersburg residents and business owners along the 34th Street South corridor came together Tuesday night to further discuss plans to help revitalization in the area to make it more business friendly and attractive for visitors.

The 34th Street Corridor Plan was started in April, and Tuesday’s presentation was an update to residents on what the plan may look like before it is shipped to city council for approval later this year.

Gary Jones, with the city’s economic development department, said the steering committee has looked at multiple examples of similar redevelopment sites in Florida for best practices.

“This is ultimately about the businesses,” Jones said. “The businesses are key.”

Jones said plans would look at mixed-use development, town centers and you typical strip malls.

“The purpose of this plan: improve the retail experience, (get) additional investment and redevelopment and increase the profits of businesses,” he said.

According to results from a survey completed by residents, Jones said the public wants more dinning options, a home improvement store and clothing stores.

Residents in the corridor, Jones said, want to be able to spend their money close to home and not have to travel to get what they need.

According to the survey conducted by the city, 66 percent of respondents said they take their dollars out of the 34th Street Corridor. Sixty-two percent desire more mixed-use option while 89 percent said the corridor needs more retail choices.

The corridor runs from 30th Avenue South to 50th Avenue South along 34th Street.

Four potential district logos (pictured above) were also unveiled with the potential district names being the Marina District of the Skyway District. 

34th Street Corridor Plan Goals

• Transportation

• “The Corridor should embrace all viable mobility options that are reliable, affordable and safe. Connectivity and walkability should be a high priority and an important consideration.

• “An attractive appearance should be created within the corridor that established a cohesive image, unique identity and safe environment that includes public art and Florida friendly landscaping.”

• “Mixed use vertical development with ground floor retail and integrated parking should be encouraged. Sites should provide multi-modal amenities, off-site connectivity and native landscaping with signage reflecting the character of the district.”

• “Incentives should be developed to attract desired development to expand jobs in the corridor. The location of the district supports a special emphasis on marine related development and recreational water activities.”

• “A positive and unified brand should e created for the District that is easily identifiable and marketed.”

"I’m glad that we are staring to look forward to doing redeveloping on this end of the so-called seamless city,” said council member Wengay Newton. “We on this end of town have a lot of spendable (income) and it all leaves this area to be spent at different points in this community.

“My goal is to have you spend your money in this district,” Newton added.

Once the plan is finalized it will go before the planning and visioning commission Nov. 12 and city council Dec. 19.

To learn more about the 34th Street Corridor Plan, you can visit StPete.org.