Brian Auld, one of the Tampa Bay Rays’ presidents, personally contacted Gwendolyn Reese, president of the African American Heritage Association and Griot in Residence at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, to join the redevelopment team.
BY NICOLE SLAUGHTER GRAHAM, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — At nearly the beginning of the formulation of a proposal for redevelopment for Tropicana Field, Brian Auld, one of the Tampa Bay Rays’ presidents, personally reached out to Gwendolyn Reese, president of the African American Heritage Association and Griot in Residence at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg.
“At first, I was not interested in becoming a team member for any one team who was developing a proposal for Tropicana Field,” the former Gas Plant resident said. “But after I spent much time vetting the team and their intentions, I decided that I had to be a part of this team.”
After several conversations, it became clear to her that the Rays-Hines intentions to honor the legacy of the Gas Plant and Laurel Park neighborhoods and make good on the “promises made and deferred, as the mayor said,” to the Black community were genuine.
Reese joined the team and played a multifaceted role. The first thing she did, she said, was teach the history of St. Petersburg, focusing on the contribution of African Americans from the city’s inception. She also focused on the history of the Gas Plant and Laurel Park neighborhoods.
Gwendolyn Reese, president of the African American Heritage Association, spoke at the Rays-Hines announcement of the historic development and partnership between the city and county on Tuesday, Sept. 19. | Photo courtesy of the City of St. Petersburg.
She then facilitated opportunities for team stakeholders to meet with Gas Plant and Laurel Park’s former residents and their descendants.
“We held several dinners and conversations so that the voices of the community could be heard,” explained Reese. “I made it clear to descendants and former residents that their input was wanted and valued from the process’s inception, and their input continues to be important through the redevelopment. This part of my role is ongoing. It doesn’t stop because the redevelopment plan has been unveiled. We will be soliciting feedback throughout.”
Those responsible for creating the proposal and devising the redevelopment plan relayed to Reese that face-to-face conversations with descendants and former residents provided invaluable context.
As planning progressed, Reese also spent much time on the team participating in meetings and discussions. She shared her lived experience as a Black woman who had seen and come through segregation in St. Petersburg, as well as her broader knowledge of the city’s history. She regularly made suggestions and gave input on plans.
At every step of the process, Reese said her input was not only welcomed but solicited to ensure that the redevelopment plan made good on those previous promises and that the history of the community remained front and center.
Everything from affordable housing to special pricing for Black-owned businesses to partnerships was discussed. The redevelopment will also include opportunities to tell the story of the Gas Plant neighborhood and preserve its rich history.
“This is the best team I have ever worked with,” she averred. “At every step, they welcomed feedback and input. They were eager to listen and learn and truly conveyed that they wanted to see change and equity through this project.”
Reese said that now is the perfect time for the redevelopment of Tropicana Field, and she’s thrilled to be a part of the process. As change and growth continue in St. Petersburg, Reese believes that much of it is moving in the right direction, making equity and inclusion a real possibility for the city.
“There are several initiatives that move us closer to equity, and the redevelopment project will play a large role,” Reese acknowledged. “Black women in this city are being elevated to key leadership positions right now, and the partnerships created will have an incredible impact. It’s a great moment in St. Petersburg, and I am so energized. I feel blessed to be able to live through this iteration of our city’s transition.”
Reese said she is aware that there is some opposition to the proposed redevelopment and understands why there might be some distrust. However, her close and intimate involvement in every step of this process makes her confident that the Hines-Rays team will deliver on their commitment to the community.