City revives $148 million plan to modernize downtown St. Pete marina
/the 640-slip St. Petersburg municipal marina is located along the downtown waterfront | city of st. petersburg
The City of St. Pete is once again seeking a contractor to repair and redevelop the aging St. Petersburg Municipal Marina along the downtown waterfront.
Through a new Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the city is soliciting experienced design-build firms to oversee a modernization of the 640-slip facility.
The RFQ comes just months after the city terminated negotiations with Safe Harbor Marinas, which had been selected in late 2023 to lead the project.
The new plan represents a major shift in approach with the city will now retaining full ownership and control of the marina, rather than leasing the marina to a private operator.
The City has established a $148 million construction budget for planning and delivering the project.
According to the RFQ, the selected group will manage the design and construction of a 100% floating dock system, as well as a new ship store, new bathhouses, administrative offices, dock houses, maintenance facilities, fueling facilities, seawalls, utilities, and a bridge connecting Demens Landing.
central basin marina conceptual plan | city of st. petersburg
The project also includes stormwater improvements, wave action studies, and roadway upgrades surrounding the marina.
Officials said the firm must have extensive experience designing coastal marine infrastructure in saltwater environments, including floating docks, seawalls, and bridges within coastal high-hazard zones.
The contractor will also be responsible for inspecting existing facilities, sequencing construction to minimize disruption, and maintaining safe operations throughout the redevelopment.
This marks the third attempt in six years to overhaul the century-old marina, which spans the Central and South Yacht Basins.
The marina’s bulkheads date back to the 1910s and 1920s, with major dock systems added in 1963 and 1977.
Although maintained over the decades, most of the infrastructure has reached the end of its service life.
South Basin marina conceptual plan | city of st. petersburg
A 2017 Marina Master Plan first outlined a comprehensive framework for renovation.
The city previously pursued partnerships with two similarly named companies.
Under former Mayor Rick Kriseman, Safe Harbor Development proposed a 25-year lease, which City Council rejected in 2021.
Later, under Mayor Ken Welch, the city selected Safe Harbor Marinas in 2023. However, that agreement unraveled in early 2025 after investment firm Blackstone acquired the company for $5.65 billion.
By June 2025, the city ended negotiations with the Blackstone-owned company.
Interested firms must submit qualifications by December 2nd through the city’s procurement portal.
Evaluations are scheduled for December 18th, with final interviews and selection set for January 13th.
Once selected, the contractor will guide the project through a multi-phase design and permitting process, expected to take 18 months before construction begins in late 2026.
The city anticipates substantial completion within five years of issuing a notice to proceed.
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro, a privately operated restaurant that leases its building from the city, will not be included in the new marina RFQ.
City officials confirmed the structure must be demolished to replace the seawall beneath it.
A separate solicitation will be issued for the site, and Fresco’s will be invited to reapply for the new restaurant space once construction is complete.
