Resident warns council a rushed gas-plant deal could cost St. Petersburg ‘a billion dollars’

A St. Petersburg resident told the council the city risks giving away massive public value if it moves forward with proposals for the former gas plant site without first conducting city-led planning and community engagement.

"The way the future of the gas plant is being handled right now will cost the city at least 1,000,000,000 dollars in public value and permanently surrender control," Ron Diner told council during open forum, urging the body to “plan first” and form a community advisory committee before selling or approving parcels.

Chris Donacker, president and CEO of the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce, praised council leadership and reiterated the Chamber’s support for collaborative approaches to workforce and economic development, while thanking the council for funding business assistance on the consent agenda.

No formal staff response to Diner’s specific proposal was recorded in the meeting minutes; council did not vote on any action tied directly to the gas plant during the session. The comments were entered during the open forum period prior to the scheduled public hearings and staff reports.