The Draft Master Plan is ready for your review - your input will shape the next steps.
How can the Port of St. Petersburg evolve its port lands to meet new economic and social opportunities over the next 10 years and beyond?
This is the central question posed by the Port of St. Petersburg and its consultants as it embarks on the Master Plan and Reinvestment Strategy for the Port. We invite you to be a part of this important conversation.
Project Overview
Located on Tampa Bay, the Port of St. Petersburg (Port St. Pete) is a versatile, multi-use facility featuring a 1,200-linear-foot wharf and approximately 4.40 acres of adjacent uplands south of the core downtown area, within the St. Petersburg Innovation District. Strategically positioned, the Port is surrounded by government, institutional, and academic organizations engaged in maritime research, as well as Albert Whitted Airport.
As a Department of the City of St. Petersburg, the Port is continually involved in the planning and implementation of capital and operational improvements. The Port, however, has not formally updated its master plan since 1999. With the adoption of the 2015 Downtown Waterfront Master Plan, recommendations for infrastructure expansion at the Port have been contemplated, with deeper-water wharves, new piers, and initiatives to establish a dedicated marine research hub, leveraging its proximity to academic and governmental maritime institutions.
In accordance with Florida law, all state seaports must update their long-range master plans every five years. These updates serve to guide and coordinate port development while ensuring alignment with local comprehensive planning initiatives.
The 2025 Port of St. Petersburg Master Plan outlines a bold vision for a sustainable, multi-use waterfront that will evolve over the near, mid, and long term. This comprehensive plan seeks to transform the Port into a dynamic hub that accommodates a wide range of uses while promoting environmental stewardship and economic vitality. Charting a clear roadmap for the Port’s future is essential to achieving these goals and unlocking its full potential.
The Planning Team and Project Schedule
The Port of St. Petersburg Master Plan is an initiative sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg. The City has retained the maritime and community planning expertise of Moffatt & Nichol, with the Valerin Group serving as a sub-consultant to support outreach and public engagement. The Master Plan update began in January and will continue through the December, with draft and final plans anticipated by September. The planning process includes two key opportunities for public engagement, the first of which runs from June 4 through July 2.Through the project website — https://planportstpete.com — community members can learn more about the project, participate in a brief survey to share their priorities, and sign up for project updates. Public engagement will include a combination of online and in-person events to ensure broad and accessible community participation.
This project schedule outlines the general overview of the Port of St. Petersburg Master Plan and Reinvestment Strategy effort.
Image Source: Moffatt & Nichol, 2025
Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE below! We will share information on the upcoming public workshops, as well as the latest project updates.
Get and Stay Involved
Your involvement is critical to the success of this planning effort. Below are several ways for you to get involved with the Port of St. Petersburg Master Plan and Reinvestment Strategy:
1. Visit the Project Website
Over the course of the Master Plan and Reinvestment Strategy effort, this project website will be updated with the latest information on the project and plan, including links to all presentations and project materials.
2. Complete the Community Surveys
Two surveys are planned during the planning process to collect feedback on the future of the Port of St. Petersburg. The first survey will focus on survey questions related to initial port and waterfront concepts, mission, core tenets, priorities, and program for the site. A second, optional survey—may be offered to gather input on proposed concepts for the draft Master Plan and Reinvestment Strategy. Feedback from the surveys will help shape ideas and guide planning for the Port’s properties and in-water facilities in relation to the downtown waterfront and the broader St. Petersburg community.
3. Subscribe to our Mailing List
Subscribe for the latest updates by entering your email and zip code at the link above. The Team will communicate project and plan updates to subscribers during key milestones in the planning process.
4. Participate in our upcoming Community Work Session
There will be one scheduled opportunity for the public to engage with the Team and learn more about the Master Plan and Reinvestment Strategy process. This community work session will last between one to two hours, depending on content and participation. All are welcome to attend.
Community Work Session #1 – (June 25th / 6pm)
Community Work Session #2 (Optional) – (Final Date/Time TBD)
5. Get Social
Follow the project on this website and on the Port’s social media channels:
6. Email Questions
Please email the Project Team at any point during the planning process with your questions and concerns. We will respond to your request at our earliest convenience.