St. Pete Council votes to save the Science Center 

Mayor Ken Welch’s administration recently nixed a five-year effort to revive and reimagine the St. Petersburg Science Center. All eight city council members disagreed with that decision Thursday. 

The council’s unanimous vote followed impassioned comments in support of St. Pete for STEAM’s plans to breathe new life into the once-beloved institution. Some expressed disdain for how the administration quietly reneged on an agreed-upon $1.6 million sale at the eleventh hour, blaming a convoluted feasibility study.

Council members agreed that the city should find additional sites to, perhaps one day, enhance the nearby Northwest Water Reclamation Facility’s capacity. They also believe that those unplanned efforts should not kill long-negotiated plans to transform the Science Center site into an education and innovation hub. 

“I can’t help but think that this study was presented to us as being objective, but it’s actually biased,” said Councilmember Gina Driscoll. “I need to know why you did this.” 

Thousands, if not millions, of Pinellas County students once visited the Science Center for field trips, after-school programs and summer camps. Families would often take day trips to the facility at 7701 22nd Ave. N., which opened to national fanfare in 1966, and marveled at the exhibitions, planetarium and the mosaic Walk of States trail. 

Sen. Darryl Rouson, who has helped the redevelopment team secure over $9 million in funding, credited the Science Center for inspiring his brother to earn his doctorate in mechanical engineering and author a software design textbook. Several other public speakers and council members shared similar stories Thursday. 

“We’re still asking our senator – well, we didn’t ask our senator, but the community did – to go and get money for this project,” said Councilmember Brandi Gabbard. “Why did we do all of this for so long to end up here? I don’t understand.” 

From left: Rep. Berny Jacques; Dan Joyal, co-executive director of Pathfinder Outdoor Education; Joe Hamilton, co-founder of the St. Petersburg Group; City Council Chair Copley Gerdes; Sen Darryl Rouson; and Jenna Byrne, founder of the Water Warrior Alliance, celebrate state Science Center funding. Photo by Amy Cianci.

The cash-strapped former jewel of West St. Petersburg closed in 2014. City officials purchased the property and spaceship-adorned building five years later due to its proximity to the sewage plant. 

Former Councilmember Robert Blackmon began leading efforts to revitalize the Science Center in 2021. The St. Petersburg Group (SPG) submitted an unsolicited proposal to purchase the property in 2023.

SPG, and its project partners – collectively known as St. Pete for STEAM – and the city subsequently agreed to a $1.6 million sale. With pledged financial commitments, the coalition has raised roughly $15 million for an estimated $25 million project. 

“We let them get a long way down the line before we pulled the rug,” said Councilmember Richie Floyd. “A long way. And when it comes to economic development, providing certainty to our private and public sector partners … It’s very important to me.”

St. Pete for STEAM plans to renovate the existing rotunda, restore the historic mosaic trail and build a new, modern facility. An artificial intelligence center will provide educational programming for students, adults, government agencies and nonprofits. 

The overarching goal is to bring engaging learning experiences, innovation and entrepreneurialism together under one roof. “I think the best inspiration for a young person, when it comes to this site, is seeing a Science Center and not seeing some sort of waste storage facility,” said Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. 

Multiple council members expressed pointed concerns regarding Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley’s previous statements that attorneys recommended an extensive feasibility study to ensure selling the property wouldn’t adversely affect the city’s utility system. 

However, officials only needed a one-page document to comply. Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz also noted that timeline records were “edited by professionals.” 

The study examined nine sites in Northwest St. Petersburg that could potentially hold new water storage tanks. A brush site and the nearby Science Center ranked as the most feasible locations. 

Administrators posited that acquiring new land for a brush site would cost more than the Science Center’s sales price. The disputed difference was about $500,000. 

“The most prudent thing to do is to not build this and save that land for future tanks,” said Councilmember Mike Harting. “But that’s not what we’re in the business of doing. We’re not a for-profit entity. So, prudent is not necessarily a consideration. 

“The consideration is, what can we do that best benefits the 300,000 people who live here?” 

The Walk of States is a 275-foot, handmade tile oval, created in 1961. Photo: Kira Barrera.

Hanewicz, an attorney, said she could highlight additional documents that “contradict what has been presented to us.” She said a note from administrators asked the study’s authors to “not include the brush site.” 

Tankersley said he doesn’t recall “being a part of that” note. “It’s possible that I was, I just don’t recall it.” 

Hanewicz also admonished administrators for not pursuing a piece of the former Raytheon property nearby for $2.1 million when they had a pending $1.6 million contract on the Science Center. “You’re doing a feasibility study to get a result,” she said. 

Council Chair Copley Gerdes, a longtime Science Center proponent, subsequently called for decorum from the dais when Hanewicz interrupted his uncle, City Administrator Rob Gerdes. 

Gabbard believes Tankersley was doing his due diligence following an unprecedented hurricane season. She also expressed concern about the miscommunication and could not understand how recent developments pitted the Science Center against a brush site. 

“We really need a win as a city – it’s a long time coming,” Gabbard added. “Our city’s been through a lot over the course of the last year.” 

Council Chair Gerdes agreed. “And, selfishly, I’d love for that win to be on the west side of St. Petersburg, in a place that I think we saw lots of wins from 1966 to the 20-teens when the Science Center closed.” 

Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders, who favored creating affordable housing at the site, said she came “into a comfortable place” and thought “the deal was done.” St. Pete for STEAM has pledged to bus underserved children to the new facility, a sticking point for Figgs-Sanders. 

Driscoll noted that “science is under attack right now,” and youth who attend the facility will “be the scientists of tomorrow” who solve the problems of today. She requested the status report and motioned for the mayoral administration to uphold its agreement, while identifying other sites for public works uses. 

The council unanimously approved Driscoll’s motion. Administrators will provide a timeline on those efforts at an Oct. 2 committee meeting.