TREASURE ISLAND: DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT

REDEVELOPMENT of DOWNTOWN TREASURE ISLAND
The redevelopment of Treasure Island is very much in keeping with a larger county-wide effort known as “Pinellas by Design.” Pinellas County, as a whole, is nearing initial build-out. Very little vacant or greenfield space is available within the County, and those spaces that do exist tend to be small and fragmented. The key to future economic prosperity lies in the creation of comprehensive redevelopment strategies. “Pinellas by Design” lays out an overall framework for the county as a whole, and highlights key locations or nodes within the County that can or should play important roles in this redevelopment.

Given its location and economic dynamics, Treasure Island is one of a number of “waterfront towns” within the county that can play significant roles in furthering this overall redevelopment strategy.

With a population density of 8.86 people per square mile, Treasure Island is one of the more densely developed areas of the county, but it still retains a great deal of its original “small town feel.” An artist rendering of a concept for 108th Avenue.

A redevelopment strategy should promote a broader definition of civic space as well as easier access to such spaces. The definition of downtown civic space should include pocket parks, planted medians and parkways, passageways, certain areas of the sidewalks, publicly owned facilities, particularly those adjacent to water bodies.

Treasure Island is blessed with good accessibility from the north and south along Gulf Boulevard and from the east via Central Avenue which leads across the peninsula to downtown St. Petersburg. A drawing of a concept for the intersection of Gulf Boulevard & 107th Avenue.

The countywide plan lays out a series of strategies that individual communities can follow or adopt as part of this effort. Key among these strategies are the creation of focused redevelopment plans, regulatory tools designed to support these plans, and urban design guides and development approaches tailored to effect the plans successfully.

While such mixed-use development is increasingly common throughout the country, it is more complex than similar single-use development. The City must look to create an environment within the Downtown that lends itself to mixed development and facilitates the creation of such projects. A rendering of a mixed use concept for downtown Treasure Island.

Treasure Island is one of 11 communities that stretch out along the 22 miles of barrier islands that comprise much of the western edge of Pinellas County. The town has a population of 7,450 permanent residents and a total land area of 840 acres.