Overview

• Following a unanimous council push to pursue both goals, Welch directed staff in a Tuesday memo to proceed with the previously negotiated agreement for the Science Center site.
• Welch cited vulnerabilities exposed by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, noting he shut down two sewer plants last year and will prioritize citywide resiliency measures.
• The agreement calls for a $1.6 million purchase of the city property by a coalition led by St. Pete Foundation co-founder Joe Hamilton.
• Project organizers say they have raised about $16 million and secured $7 million in state funding, with closing expected roughly 30 days after contract signing and a potential groundbreaking this year.
• City staff will work on upgrades at the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility and evaluate alternative storage locations after a study previously flagged a nearby brush site as the lowest-cost option.