Thanks to the collaboration of many bright minds and significant institutions, St. Petersburg’s emergent Innovation District is taking shape. This new name marks the formal definition of an existing cluster of educational, environmental, and bioscience entities into a more organized area that can strategically advance science and innovation while also positively enhancing the local community and economy.

GAI’s Community Solutions Group facilitated several visioning exercises with a broad-based group of leaders representing a diverse and unique area. The work included collaboration with the City of St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, All Children’s Hospital/Johns Hopkins Medicine, Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, USF St. Pete, USF College of Marine Science, the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, the Florida Institute of Oceanography, and the Tampa Bay Innovation Center.

The Visioning and Conceptual Master Plan organizes a framework for governance, strategic objectives, and placemaking. It is our hope and belief that, over time, this area will enjoy dramatic evolution, not just in physical form, but in the synergies and collaboration among the many entities to advance their missions of research, health, education, innovation, and new business development.

GAI’s Director of Community Solutions Pete Sechler, PLA, AICP commented, “The St. Petersburg’s Innovation District has all the ingredients necessary to significantly benefit the local quality of life and community vitality, while positioning itself as a nationally significant hub of innovation and collaboration.”

To learn more about GAI’s involvement  with the Innovation District, or for more information on our visioning, master planning, and placemaking services, contact Pete Sechler, PLA, AICP at 407.423.8398.