Man Who Just Moved Here Already Has Bold Vision for St. Pete’s Future
ST. PETERSBURG — Within days of arriving in St. Pete, Spencer Duncan says he already has a bold new vision for the city’s future, one he believes will make the area a better representation of where he comes from.
Seated along the downtown waterfront, the sharply dressed newcomer spoke at length about what he described as the city’s “untapped potential,” outlining a plan centered on condos, bus lanes, and pickleball.
“The problem here is that people live in houses,” he explained, gesturing casually. “When you replace single family homes with condo towers, you create more supply. And more supply makes everything more affordable for low-income black families.”
He conceded that while his proposals would skew toward a luxury market, the long-term goal would be to “open up opportunities” for hospitality workers. “We can add more bus lanes, I want my coffee and cocktails on time just like everyone else.”
Spencer brushed aside concerns that his proposals disproportionately benefit higher-income residents. “Look, I see it as a rising tide,” he said. “Some people might not make it onto the boat, but the important thing is that the boat is very nice.”
Based on a few brief interactions, Spencer says he is largely unimpressed by the longtime residents he has encountered, suggesting that they have been part of the problem all along, describing Floridians as people who care only about “yards and cars.”
“I find it curious that the same people who created these conditions are now calling any attempt to fix them gentrification,” he said. “If you want to call it that, that’s fine. I’m not going to roll over just because some people are uncomfortable with change. I didn’t move here to live next to people who drive Nissan Altimas.”
He added that longtime residents should be prepared to “participate” in the city’s evolution.
“If you’ve been here 40 years, that’s cool,” he said. “But that doesn’t give you permanent dibs on that land. At a certain point, you need to cash out or you can expect additional taxes to be imposed on your property. We need that revenue for bus lanes, speed humps, and a dedicated New Resident Initiative.
In addition to housing and transit priorities, Spencer proposes a more aggressive approach to public life, including city-backed events, nightlife expansion, and what he described as “reasons to be here.”
“These are the kinds of things that bring people like me in,” he said. “And if we want more people like me, we have to lean into this.”
Officials have increasingly welcomed new voices into conversations about growth, particularly those who arrive with a clear sense of what should happen next.
As of press time, Spencer confirmed that he plans to spend the afternoon “getting a better feel for the city,” beginning with a walk through several neighborhoods he described as fertile ground for activation.