By Melissa Lattman

ST. PETE BEACH- City voters approved the creation of a pair of Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA). The sole question on the ballot paves the way for revitalization and redevelopment of the city’s downtown core and coastal tourist area. There were 2,754 votes in the city’s first vote by mail election. There were 1,818 votes in favor and 936 votes against Question No. 1.
“We are pleased that the residents support our efforts to improve (the city),” said City Manager Mike Bonfield.
The resort area on Gulf Boulevard extends from the Pinellas Bayway to just north of 76th Avenue. It includes the hotel/motel district on the west side of Gulf Boulevard from 47th Avenue to 64th Avenue. The Gulf Boulevard district represents about 11.5 percent of the city’s total land area and generates about 24 percent of the city’s property tax revenues.
The city’s community development staff projects a total of more than $60 million over the 20-year life of the CRA from several funding sources.
Where will the money come from?
Money will come from increases in the property values in the CRA. The additional county and city taxes that are generated as property values go up, goes back into the CRA.
Because new development can mean more cars on the existing roadways, impact fees from these projects would help cover the cost of upgrading roads, drainage, sidewalks and curbs. The Penny for Pinellas from sales tax would go to improvement projects such as undergrounding of utilities.
Where will the money go?
The money goes to improve infrastructure and appearance of the area. The plan lists projects ranked by priority. High priority projects include burying utilities, adding a downtown parking garage, drainage improvements, and public safety improvements like crosswalks.
The whole plan and process for implementing it is detailed in an approximately 160-page document on the city’s home page at www.stpetebeach.org