ST. PETERSBURG -- We complete our ongoing series with a look at the St. Petersburg City Council District 8 race.
Jeff Danner was a two-term city councilman who served from 2005 to 2013 and is now a building inspector. He says he had his doubts about the Rays split-season concept with Montreal, but says he's warming up to the idea of a multipurpose facility that would be occupied more days per year than the current Tropicana Field. He points out that the 86 acre Tropicana Field site is the largest redevelopment project in any major city in the country right now. Danner compares the importance of getting it right to the decision to make St. Petersburg's waterfront public in the early 20th century. He says it's important to listen to residents.
Richie Floyd is a teacher and describes himself as a "democratic socialist." But Floyd insists businesses, especially small businesses, have nothing to fear from him. "One person can't change the economic system, " he said. Floyd wants the city to start with the goal being having the Rays full time. He says he's concerned that the city's booming downtown will cause homeseekers to spread out into south St. Petersburg, leading to the displacement of longtime low-income residents. Floyd wants to include provisions in any Tropicana Field redevelopment relating to issues such as wages.
Hear more from both Danner and Floyd, as well as the candidates for the other three* open seats, in the podcasts below.
- - In District 2 the other candidate dropped out, leaving Brandi Gabbard the winner by default.
Photo: Canva