We, the undersigned residents, business owners, and stakeholders, urge the City Council and Mayor to establish a program to enhance cleaning and safety in our downtown area. These programs exist in virtually every other city in Florida, but not in St. Petersburg. It is time to commit real resources to keeping our downtown vibrant and safe.

The Problem:
Over the past three years, downtown St. Pete has seen a population boom with a noticeable impact in the cleanliness and safety of public spaces. Today, our urban neighborhood is grappling with homelessness, vagrancy, littered streets, and safety concerns that tarnish our community’s appeal. These issues diminish the quality of life for everyone who comes downtown and threaten the economic vitality of our urban core.

We are looking to you for solutions to make downtown cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone. As downtown residents, business owners, and frequent visitors, we witness daily challenges: garbage-strewn sidewalks from late-night bar crowds, park bench encampments, aggressive panhandling, overnight sleeping in the parks, and a growing presence of vagrancy. These conditions chip away at the pride we have for St. Pete. Downtown belongs to everyone, and it must be a place where everyone in our city feels comfortable and welcome. The people of St. Petersburg deserve a city center that is safe and clean.

Our Contribution:
Downtown property owners are the backbone of St. Petersburg’s revenue. We contribute significantly to the city’s coffers through substantial property taxes from our condos and commercial spaces, sales taxes from bustling restaurants and shops, and parking meter fees. These funds support municipal services across the city. Yet, the current state of downtown does not reflect the value we bring. It’s time the city reinvests in downtown.

Our Solution: The Clean and Safe Program
We urge the City Council to launch a Clean and Safe Program with these key elements:

1. Extra Cleaning Crews: Dedicated sanitation teams to sweep streets, clear garbage, and tackle post-nightlife debris, keeping downtown pristine.

2. Safety Ambassadors: A team of downtown ambassadors to welcome visitors, answer questions, and engage with ground-level business owners within the district, while also providing a level of safety in close coordination with the St. Pete Police Department. They will also report safety concerns, code violations, and identify areas requiring immediate attention (e.g., repairs, graffiti removal).
3. Homelessness Liaison Team: Coordinate with local service providers (e.g., the St. Petersburg Police Department’s PATH unit, the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas, etc.) to connect individuals with resources and services. Focus on compassionate interactions that maintain public safety while providing needed assistance.

4. Funding Commitment: Provide the requisite public sector funding to maintain this initiative.

5. Organization: Form an entity consisting of downtown residents, business owners, and stakeholders to collaborate with municipal officials and employees to ensure alignment of mission and implementation.

Why It Matters:
• Quality of Life: Cleaner, safer streets will make downtown a better place to live, work, and enjoy for all city residents who use downtown.

• Tourism Boost: A polished downtown will elevate St. Pete’s status as a premier tourist destination, driving economic growth and tax revenues.

• Vibrancy Restored: This program will recognize the contributions of downtown residents, business owners, and visitors by revitalizing our neighborhood’s livability and appeal. Other cities have let nuisance issues fester until they become unmanageable, pushing retail, residential, and office uses out of the urban center, eroding property values and property tax revenues.

Our Plea:
We love St. Petersburg and want it to shine. The Clean and Safe Program isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about supporting the downtown community’s investment in our city. Let’s make downtown St. Pete a place where businesses will continue to prosper, tourism still thrives, and residents feel safe. Let’s ensure that downtown can continue to attract new investment, generating taxes that benefit the entire community.

Sign Now:
Join us in demanding action. Your signature tells our leaders that we all deserve a cleaner, safer downtown. Together, we can ensure that St. Peter continues to shine as a premier destination to live, work, and play!