St. Petersburg Preservation (SPP) is hosting a discussion next month about “Keeping St. Petersburg Special,” featuring the city’s two leading mayoral candidates.
The forum — with former two-term Mayor Rick Baker and incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman — is Wednesday, Aug. 9 at the Museum of Fine Arts Marly Room, 255 Beach Dr., NE in downtown St. Petersburg. Reception begins 5:30 p.m.; forum is from 6 — 8 p.m.
The discussion will focus on each candidate’s perspective as to what keeps St. Petersburg special and how to keep the city’s “sense of place” during this latest period of growth and change. Moderators are Dr. Gary Mormino, Professor Emeritus of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and MFA Executive Director Kristen Shepherd.
According to the invite, SPP members will hear about city’s sense of place, which the group believes is grounded in four “cornerstones” — Historic Preservation; Locally-Owned, Independent Businesses; the Arts; and, Traditional Neighborhoods. Each candidate will be asked to give their thoughts and vision for the future.
SPP is calling for reservations from members through the event reservation link. Admission is limited to those who pre-registered for the event. Invitations and registration are nontransferable. Participants can submit questions by email.
While all questions will be considered, due to time constraints, SPP cannot guarantee all questions will be asked.
Founded in 1977, SPP advocates the preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of the city’s natural, scenic, historic, and architectural areas and structures.