ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As St. Petersburg continues to welcome in developers, building websites are acquiring in the way of residents, guests and firms.

What You Want To Know

• Many building projects continue to influence residents, guests and firms in downtown St. Petersburg
• Earlier this week, developers, construction firms and small business owners met to locate options to the ongoing building
• Some firms say building is impeding small business, though other individuals are hopeful much more improvement will be fantastic for small business
• St. Pete issued a record quantity of permits in the final fiscal year, according to city information

Some small business owners stated they are increasing frustrated with troubles like blocked sidewalks and parking, though other individuals are searching forward to the greater foot website traffic new improvement will bring in.

Earlier this week, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership brought developers, building firms and small business owners collectively to appear for options to the ongoing building. The CEO of the organization stated the meeting was constructive and that all side agreed they will need to locate a balance involving the city’s development and preserving little firms.

For the previous 20 years, Melissa Griffith has been operating her jewelry repair retailer, Lightning Quickly Jewelry Repair, out of St. Pete. More than that time, she’s watched the city develop and alter. 

“It was a quaint downtown,” Griffith stated. “It’s not quaint any longer. It is extremely vibrant, extremely lively and a small bit of a small New York City is what I really feel in some cases when I stroll down towards all these tall buildings.”

City information shows St. Petersburg issued a record quantity of permits through the final fiscal year, bringing much more than $1 billion in building worth. As much more developers come in to downtown, Griffith stated parking continues to be an concern.

“I hear it each day from my clientele. ‘I cannot hardly locate a spot to park,’” she stated. “I even let them park in the loading zone just to drop off and I will run out to your vehicle if you contact me. I’ve run out to the vehicle and picked up items, rolled up envelopes for my clientele. So I know it is troublesome.”

Other firms stated building is slowing down foot website traffic for the reason that of sidewalk closures and the lack of parking. Some are even taking into consideration moving out of the region. Although Griffith stated there are some adverse impacts from improvement, she believes it will eventually be fantastic for small business.

“The every day stroll-ins it is up,” Griffith stated. “And the building workers put on jewelry and watches also, so I get small business from them and I appreciate them. You know, it is troublesome, but that is the pains of increasing, that is what it is all about.”

A single option small business owners and developers agreed on through their meeting is that there is a will need for much more advertising and signage at every block to let folks know there are firms in constuction regions and which ones are open.