St. Petersburg Gets $2.2M To Transform Williams Park

City officials secured $2.2 million for Williams Park upgrades, with construction set for spring 2026. State funds added $800,000 this week to boost the downtown site's restoration.

"The pier is very iconic, but Williams Park is really the heart of the city," said Shaun Drinkard to St. Pete Catalyst. "It's the town square, and for many decades, it was a gathering place."

Plans call for bandshell roof repairs, updated bathrooms, and improved lighting systems. Workers will build fresh entryways and paths while upgrading the main plaza in this historic space, which dates back 137 years.

Starting Oct. 1, Dan Biederman steps in as lead consultant for five months. His past work turned NYC's Bryant Park from a troubled zone into a thriving public space that draws crowds daily.

Built in 1888, the park fills a block between 4th and 3rd Streets North and 2nd and 1st Avenues. The 1954 bandshell, designed by William B. Harvard, took heavy damage when Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck in 2024.

The site struggled after serving as a bus hub through 2015. Though buses moved out in 2016, conditions kept getting worse. In January 2023, the city council approved initial repair funds.

New designs will fit daily fitness and art sessions into the space. Movies, music shows, and food trucks will run weekly. Big yearly events like Localtopia and Paddy Fest St. Pete will fill the grounds.

"When we talk about this footprint, there are two projects that will go hand-in-hand over the next year," Drinkard said. "One being bandshell-specific, and then the other one working in tandem for all the ancillary spaces."

Jason Mathis, who runs the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, praised Biederman's track record. "There are multiple things happening at that park, all the time," Mathis said. "When you walk through, it looks like it's just full of people enjoying themselves. But it's really carefully curated and highly programmed."

Design teams have started working with local specialists on the changes. The plan aims to add spots for food and drinks near the edges. If all goes well, work should finish between late 2026 and early 2027.