The House and Senate have reached alignment on funding for the Pinellas Science Center, a long-shuttered facility local leaders are working to reactivate to provide STEM education opportunities for both youth and adults.
The chambers each included $350,000 for the Science Center, which closed in 2014. Sen. Darryl Rouson and Rep. Berny Jacques had requested $2.5 million to preserve the current historically protected building, construct a new building, and make other improvements to reactivate the long-closed education center.
Lawmakers provided $800,000 for the project last year.
The goal, Jacques’ appropriation request states, is “to provide an opportunity for engaging, hands-on emerging technology and science programs that educate and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.” The new Science Center is also expected to “help St. Petersburg, and Florida compete in the new artificial intelligence centered economy.”
Rouson’s request similarly touts the Science Center’s mission, including that it will serve as “a place where all children, adults and families can go to observe, analyze, and explore emerging technologies.”
The Science Center is located on the west side of the city at 7701 22nd Ave. North. The city of St. Pete currently owns the facility but has agreed to sell it to St. Pete for STEAM, a group working to reactivate the Center.
The facility served as a hub for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education from the time it opened in 1959 until its closure in 2014. It was a frequent location for school field trips, complete with hands-on activities such as a touch tank, laser light shows and a planetarium.
The St. Petersburg Foundation, a group partnering on revitalizing the Science Center, has already secured $9 million for what it expects to be a $25 million project. That includes funding secured in 2024, also spearheaded by Rouson and Jacques.
In addition to local lawmakers championing funding, former Gov. Charlie Crist has also pushed for funding.
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