Professional Community Engagement Facilitator

The City of St. Petersburg (the “City”) is seeking the services of a qualified consulting firm with experience in public participation methods and facilitation with diverse stakeholders. The consultant will provide community engagement services to understand better the community’s vision and priorities for the 22 nd Street South Corridor and how it aligns with the Warehouse Arts District/ Deuces Live Joint Action Plan (“WADA/Deuces Joint Action Plan”). This effort aims to gain community input to develop strategies that promote economic inclusion, especially considering the potential of a transformational $6 billion Historic Gas Plant redevelopment project. The principal goal of this initiative is to facilitate a community-driven process aimed at identifying and prioritizing projects that reflect the collective aspirations and needs of the community, fostering consensus-building and mutual understanding among stakeholders, and ultimately, paving the way for the successful implementation of initiatives that enhance 22 nd Street South. The consultant will be expected to prepare for, facilitate, and report on the findings of four Community Conversation Events. A summary of the four events and their intended audience is as follows: First Event – Presentation and Community Conversation workshop for both the Deuces Live and WADA along with interested stakeholders (e.g., business owners, property owners, surrounding neighborhood associations, etc.) and community members. This event will include a presentation by City staff to provide context to the discussions, including an overview of the 2018 WADA/Deuces Joint Action Plan. The event will emphasize the purpose of the Community Conversation Workshop series and will engage the community in what they hope to achieve during the process. Second or Third Event – Community Conversation workshop for the Deuces Live Main Street Organization (“Deuces Live”) and interested stakeholders and community members. Second or Third Event – Community Conversation workshop for the Warehouse Arts District Association (“WADA”) and interested stakeholders and community members. Fourth Event – Presentation of Findings and Additional Community Conversations – This will include both organizations along with interested stakeholders and community members. This event will focus on identifying common goals (informed by the previous workshops) and work towards building consensus on a shared vision. It may also include discussing potential projects, project prioritization, and next steps for collaboration and implementation. Some of the key themes and topics that may be addressed through these workshops include, but are not limited to: Community Character & Design: Placemaking Historic Preservation Urban Form Building Frontage and Facades Infrastructure: Transportation and Parking Streetscaping, Wayfinding, and Lighting Diversity of Uses and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Small Business Attraction & Support Mix of Uses – Retail, Dining and Entertainment, Civic Organizations, Faith-Based Institutions, Businesses and Offices, Community Facilities, Healthcare Facilities, Parks & Greenspace, etc. Redevelopment Promotion & Marketing Marketing the Corridor Events & Corridor Activation Organization Organizational Structures & Ongoing Collaboration