Ken Welch didn't just walk into City Hall; he practically grew up in the shadow of the old Gas Plant District. Most people looking for the mayor of St Petersburg Florida see a man in a suit making budget announcements, but for Welch, this is deeply personal. His family was among those displaced when the city tore down hundreds of homes and businesses to build what eventually became Tropicana Field. Now, he’s the one holding the pen on a multibillion-dollar redevelopment of that very same land.
It's a wild bit of historical irony.
He’s the city's first African American mayor, a milestone that happened in 2022, yet his current term is being defined by things much grittier than ceremony. We're talking about massive sewage upgrades, a $600 million resilience bond, and a campaign finance scandal that recently set local headlines on fire.
The $200,000 "Unauthorized" Problem
If you’ve been following the news lately, you know things got messy in early 2026. Basically, Welch’s re-election efforts took a massive hit when it came out that over $207,500 was missing from his political action committee, the Pelican PAC.
Welch isn't accused of stealing it. Honestly, he’s being painted as the victim here, but the optics are still pretty rough. The campaign alleges the former treasurer, Yolanda Brown, made a series of "unauthorized transactions" to a business she controlled.
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The timeline is a bit of a headache:
- August 2025: A $100,000 disbursement leaves the account.
- October 2025: Multiple smaller chunks—$20,000 here, $10,000 there—vanish.
- January 2026: The campaign goes public, admitting the PAC has less than $31,000 left on hand.
When you're the mayor of St Petersburg Florida and you're an accountant by trade, having $200k disappear under your nose isn't a great look. Critics like those at Florida Politics have been quick to point out that this isn't the first time his PACs have had "compliance issues."
Resilience is More Than a Buzzword
While the campaign drama plays out, the actual city business is focused on not sinking. St. Pete is literally on the front lines of climate change. After the absolute beating the city took from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Welch has pivoted hard toward infrastructure.
You’ve probably heard of the St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) plan. It sounds like corporate jargon, but it's actually an aggressive $750 million investment strategy. For 2026, the City Council just greenlit a $976 million budget. A huge chunk of that is going toward things people usually ignore until they break: lift stations, water reclamation, and stormwater mitigation.
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The goal? Stop the "debris piles" controversy from 2024 from ever happening again.
The Gas Plant and the Rays: A Messy Divorce?
Everyone wants to know what's happening with the Tampa Bay Rays. The $6.8 billion Gas Plant District redevelopment is the "biggest opportunity for economic progress in the city," according to Welch. But the relationship with the team is... complicated.
Hurricane Milton shredded the roof of Tropicana Field. Then, it came out the city had slashed its insurance on the stadium to save a quarter-million dollars. That move backfired. Now, there's a serious debate about whether to even fix the Trop or just fast-track the new stadium.
Welch has been firm: the redevelopment of the 86-acre site moves forward with or without the Rays. He’s already pushing parcels for workforce housing and the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. He wants to make sure the promises made to his grandfather's generation—promises of jobs and equity—actually happen this time.
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Why People Are Frustrated
It’s not all "inclusive progress" and ribbon cuttings. Some residents are vocal about the "luxury-only" feel of downtown. You've got out-of-state investors building high-rises while the average person is struggling with insurance premiums and rent.
The mayor uses his "Six I’s" (In-touch, Inclusive, Innovative, Informed, Impactful, and Intentional equity) to guide policy, but critics argue his management style is a bit too "detached." There was even a report from the Tampa Bay Times a while back noting he was only at City Hall about a third of the time during his first year.
Whether that's a fair metric for a modern mayor is debatable. A lot of the job is being out in the community, not sitting behind a mahogany desk.
Actionable Insights for St. Pete Residents
If you live in the city or are moving here, here is how the current administration actually affects your life:
- Down Payment Assistance: The city increased this to $60,000 for some first-time buyers. If you're trying to get into the market, check the city's housing department website.
- Resilience Bond: Keep an eye on the ballot in late 2026. You’ll likely be asked to vote on a $600 million bond for sewer and flood protection. This will impact your taxes but also your chance of a flooded living room.
- Utility Relief: There’s a Renter Utility Relief Program that’s helped thousands of households. If you’re behind on bills, there is actually money set aside for this.
The mayor of St Petersburg Florida has a massive task ahead. Balancing the glitzy "tech hub" growth with the reality of being a low-lying coastal city requires more than just good intentions—it requires a lot of pipe and concrete.
Next Steps:
To stay informed on how these projects impact your neighborhood, you should sign up for the "Weekly Progress Report" directly from the Mayor’s Office on the city's official website. You can also attend the City Council's public budget hearings to see exactly where that $976 million is being spent.