Dali Museum expansion moves forward, opens door to the future for Center of the Arts
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Nov 10, 2022

St. Petersburg voters have approved the expansion of The Dali Museum, paving the way for a new chapter for the city’s Center of the Arts.

Plans for the expansion show a permanent extension of the current building with areas for “education, conferences, events, galleries and a restaurant and terrace overlooking the downtown yacht basin,” according to city documents. The project is expected to cost $55 million and not require taxpayer dollars.

The decision to alter the 99-year lease had to go to referendum due to the expansion being proposed on a strip of land controlled by the city. According to unofficial results from the Supervisor of Elections, the referendum passed with 78,034 votes in support and 21,829 votes against amending the lease.

In September, the Dali Museum also announced plans to construct a semi-permanent dome structure to the east of the museum. The dome will have 2,400 square feet of education and community space and is expected to open in spring 2023. The structure will be 50 feet in diameter and 39 feet tall.

The museum is part of the city’s Center for the Arts — which may soon see a substantial overhaul. The Center for the Arts encompasses a variety of properties from First Avenue South to Fifth Avenue South or Dali Boulevard.

Some early concepts show changes like creating pedestrian amenities, green space and a new parking structure. There may also be a connection between downtown and Beach Drive.

The expansion is something the museum has sought for nearly two years. In May 2021, the museum also proposed a concept to expand, and city staff began working on drafts to present a referendum ordinance before city council. But the conditions of approval in the draft ordinance didn’t satisfy the Dali Museum, and they “requested that it be withdrawn from consideration by council to allow for additional negotiation with the city,” according to city documents.

Approximately a year later, the plan was set in motion again. The amendment that just passed does not extend the duration of the lease.

The museum will also have requirements to ensure the expansion does not impact any stakeholders. City council and residents expressed concerns the Mahaffey Theater — which operates adjacent to the museum — could face power outages or have restricted access to the theater due to the construction. A week before the election, Bill Edwards, chairman and CEO of Big 3 Entertainment Group — which manages the Mahaffey — voiced his opposition to the expansion proposal.

“The people should vote ‘no’ on what amounts to a land grab from the Dali,” Edwards said in a release. “The Dali may need city land to expand but think about the impact of major construction to our operation and to the beautiful waterfront.”

City council said the construction cannot impede the performances at the theater. In July, council members also voiced concerns about the expansion impacting the Firestone Grand Prix, as some of the property that the museum leases is used each year during the race. The city has said no interruption can occur if the expansion is to move forward.