St. Pete seeks proposals to redevelop downtown marina, Fresco's space
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Apr 14, 2023

St. Petersburg is seeking a development partner to redevelop and operate the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina in downtown.

The city has released a request for proposals asking development teams with “significant experience in developing and operating marinas in a saltwater environment” to submit proposals by July 14.

The developer also has the option to submit a proposal for the redevelopment and operation of the restaurant space adjacent to the marina at 300 Second Ave. NE, which is currently home to Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro.

“Adjacent to the St. Pete Pier, with slips right in the heart of downtown, St. Pete’s Municipal Marina is an anchor point of the waterfront district,” James Corbett, city development administrator, said in a release. “This is just the next step in the revitalization of the marina, and we look forward to finding a partner that sees the potential of this landmark in our community.”

The marina spans the central and south yacht basins along the downtown waterfront. The CYB docks were built in 1963. Four of the five SYB docks were built in 1977. According to the city, the infrastructure “has reached the end of its service life.”

St. Pete completed a marina master plan in 2017 outlining the framework for the marina redevelopment.

The marina currently has 640 permanent wet slips, a 500-foot transient dock with a minimum 10-foot depth throughout the marina, a public boat launch, bait and tackle, electric and water hookups, snacks and sundries, shower and laundry facilities, ValvTect marine fuel and Marine-grade diesel fuel and 90 Octane ethanol-free gas.

The marina is an anchor point of the waterfront district and is located on the point of Demens Landing.