The St. Pete Straza would loop more than 3 miles and provide pedestrian-only and reduced traffic streets.
Courtesy of Car Free St. Pete
By Jasmine Jarrett
The St. Pete Straza may be the next big project in the works for downtown St. Petersburg’s city development.
The Car-Free St. Pete Committee proposed a 3-plus mile loop that will promote pedestrian activity and safety. It plans to connect major locations downtown, such as the Dali Museum, waterfront and Tropicana Field.
It also plans to include alternative route connections to the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus and Uptown.
One of the goals of this new development is to increase foot-traffic for local shops and cafes.
“We anticipate that some parts of the Straza may be pedestrian-only, while other parts will allow vehicular access but at reduced speeds,” the Car Free St. Pete team said on the Straza proposal page.
The plan includes removing curbs, expanding sidewalks and slowing traffic speeds to be compatible with pedestrian activity. Vehicular activity will be limited, and public transportation is encouraged.
“Straza”, a term coined by Car-Free St. Pete Committee member Michael Huston, is a combination of both street and plaza.
Instead of competing with Central Avenue, the Straza will intersect at three different locations and expand several blocks further to cover the majority of downtown.
While the Straza has the potential to benefit the community by encouraging physical health, it also acts as an informal gathering place, allowing St. Petersburg residents to come together and enjoy the walk, local businesses and events.
“I really believe the Straza is an opportunity for USFSP students to hang out outside of campus in a new environment that supports nature and community. It’ll be like a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively,” senior anthropology major, Sharia Johnson, said.
She also explained that despite sounding like a good idea, the project raises concern over important details, such as street lighting.
The logistics of the Straza are still in practice and no set date has been released yet.
Support the project and find out more, visit carfreestpete.com/stpetestraza.
