A $500,000 Park Replacing A LongTime Eyesore In St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A spot in St. Petersburg that has been an eyesore for more than 21 years, and heavily avoided at nighttime, will soon turn into a beautiful, green space that can host festivals, food trucks and other gatherings.

For the past two years, Barkett Realty has been working with the city to design, plan and secure $500,000 in funding to turn the section at the Interstate 375 underpass near Fifth Avenue North and MLK Jr. Street N into a useful space for residents and visitors.

"It's been a problem, people don't feel safe, even with the city doing complete streets and putting a bike lane in," John Barkett, owner of Barkett Realty, said in an interview with Patch. "Once we get to dark, nobody will cross. Like the highways have done historically, not just in St. Pete, but around the country, they have really bifurcated a lot of our neighborhoods."

A huge fence surrounds the giant empty space. The one thing seen beyond the fence is a burial marker of a white cross and an outline of a grave. It's unclear if it's a roadside memorial or a pet buried there. The fence prevents an up-close view. During the night, it is dimly lit and lacks a feeling of safety.

Barkett said his agency worked with Vice-Chair City Woman Gina Driscoll to get the $500,000 allocated outside of the city budget through Weeki Wachee funds and parking revenue to take down the fencing that surrounds that area in the Historic Uptown area, and to build parking spaces for local business along with the park.

Barkett, who donates several of his buildings to the Shine Mural Festival every year, wants to have the seven columns on the east side of MLK painted by one of St. Pete's popular muralists. He believes public art helps create change. The smooth panels at the underpass will also offer cheer with paintings.

The city has approved the construction of the park to begin April 1. Barkett said it would be complete three weeks from the start date. Asphalt will be added to provide 47 parking spaces that will be a mix of timed parking and paid parking. The park will host indie markets, food truck rallies and art festivals. A pickle ball court will possibly be added later. Trees, benches, grass, water fountains and solar-powered lights will be built in.

Barkett said this is a way to connect Historic Uptown, a growing area with businesses, to downtown because it is disconnected at the underpass.