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NewsSt. Pete RisingSeptember 4, 2026Pinellas

St. Petersburg City Council approves arts funding bonus for downtown developers

The St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved a new zoning incentive on August 27th that allows developers to earn additional building space by contributing to local arts funding. This policy adds arts support as a qualifying public benefit under the city's existing floor area ratio (FAR) bonus program.

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Why It Matters

This policy creates a new mechanism for developers to fund local artists and galleries in exchange for increased building density, directly impacting the financial resources available to the downtown arts community.

Key Facts

  • The St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved an arts funding development bonus on August 27th.
  • The policy allows developers to earn additional building space (FAR bonuses) by funding local artists and arts organizations.
  • This measure does not increase the maximum density allowed beyond existing zoning limits; it adds a new option to the existing FAR bonus menu.
  • FAR (floor area ratio) is a zoning measurement determining total building space relative to land area.
  • The policy is intended to help artists and galleries remain in downtown St. Petersburg as the area grows.
  • The City already uses FAR bonuses to incentivize other public benefits in downtown zoning districts.

Who's Mentioned

personCopley Gerdes“City Councilmember.”locationWarehouse Arts District“The organization that originally proposed the idea.”other21“Number of art spaces that have closed or moved since 2002.”organizationSt. Petersburg City Council“The governing body that approved the ordinance.”personGina Driscoll“City Councilmember who sponsored the idea.”personPaul Carter“Downtown resident and member of the City’s Arts Advisory Committee.”personCeleste Davis“City Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism.”