Where We Were
After extensive community outreach and collaborative effort between local governments, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and Forward Pinellas, The Gateway Master Plan has emerged as a guiding document that represents the comprehensive vision for the Gateway Area. The Gateway Area consists of 30 square miles and includes areas in the City of Largo, the City of Pinellas Park, the City of St. Petersburg, and unincorporated Pinellas County.
The Gateway Master Plan defined Planning and Design Guiding Principles that will promote the creation of a sustainable and resilient Gateway, a connected Gateway, a vibrant Gateway, an economically robust Gateway, a Gateway with a variety of safe, healthy, affordable neighborhoods, an equitable Gateway that incorporates Health In All Policies, and a smarter, more innovative Gateway.
Where We Are Now
Forward Pinellas is now calling on local governments to adopt a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will show a commitment to implement The Gateway Master Plan by considering actions such as striving to ensure that Plan is reviewed, studied, discussed, and considered at all levels of each respective local government. In addition, the MOU commits local partners to consider the recommendations in the Plan when developing and prioritizing capital improvements, amending their local comprehensive plans, land development codes and other relevant plans, developing affordable housing strategies, practicing inclusive planning, and creates a means of gathering facts, sharing information, and reporting processes. Last, the MOU establishes the role of Forward Pinellas as the convening body for all parties and responsible for managing coordination efforts.
Where We’re Going
Forward Pinellas is scheduling meetings with each of the local governments to discuss The Gateway Master Plan, the Memorandum of Understanding, and implementation efforts. These meetings are open to the public. Check with your city or with the project manager, Christina Mendoza, to see when these meetings are taking place and how you can get involved.
Over the next year, all local governments, FDOT, PSTA and Forward Pinellas will be coming together to discuss the implementation progress and establish performance measures to evaluate successful outcomes.
If you have any questions or comments on the Gateway Master Plan, please contact Christina Mendoza, Principal Planner with Forward Pinellas, who is leading the implementation effort for the agency.
More information on the implementation efforts for the Gateway Master Plan can also be found on the project’s website: https://gatewaymasterplan.org/.
