I couldn’t agree with you more, I am so saddened by the demolishion request for the 600 block of central up to the State - it stinks and Ihate that those developers were able to buy that location in the first place - but remember, the city didn’t sell it to the, the building owner did. The city’s Eco Dev. department have been working with the developer as he went back and forth on whether to rent the spaces of build condos. I know My husband and I thought about having a Pub on that block. But that developer could not make a decision until now and aparently - destruction is their choice.

Furthermore, the city takes devolpers and brokers on city tours to encourage them to drive more business into current or historic buildings, not to tear down current areas. I work with Economic Development to lead those tours and we are very proud of the historic buildings we have and want to see them preserved and rennovated.

You know, one of the interesting pieces of info I came across in my research is this clause in the preservation code: If a developer wants to tear down a building that has local historical landmark status, they must prove their financing before the City Council will approve demolition. This is not the case with buildings without landmark status, which is why you have several vacant lots downtown right now.

Why can’t they do that for all buildings in St. Pete? Doesn’t it make sense to actually have the money for a project before you start building?