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2/4/08 The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Names its New
President
The St. Petersburg Downtown
Partnership has named Dr. Peter R. Betzer, former Dean of the USF College
of Marine Science, as its new president, effective February 18, 2008.
The St. Petersburg
Downtown Partnership has been in existence since 1962, and is a
business-supported, non-profit organization, promoting business growth and
redevelopment in downtown St. Petersburg. The Partnership has been
instrumental in achieving over $1 billion in redevelopment investment,
consisting of office buildings, retail, entertainment, hotels, cultural
institutions, a Major League Baseball stadium, a university regional
campus, a medical complex, residential apartments and condominiums, and as
the sponsor of the city’s downtown trolley operation – the
Looper.
Dr. Betzer is already
on the job in a meaningful way, hosting discussions with several science
and technology firms that are good candidates to locate facilities in St. Petersburg, in proximity to USF’s College of Marine Science and SRI-St.
Petersburg. Dr. Betzer was instrumental in helping to attract these
organizations to St. Petersburg’s Bayboro Harbor Marine Science
district – the largest such district in the Southeast.
Dr. Betzer’s
successes include: a 36 year career at the University of South Florida in
St. Petersburg; serving as an ex officio member of the Partnership’s
Board of Directors; spearheading the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector St
Pete USCG headquarters at Bayboro Harbor; facilitating the attraction of
SRI -St. Petersburg; and most recently, participating in the award of a new
National Center for Port and Maritime Security.
“St. Petersburg has a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on the synthesis of marine
sciences, technology transfer, and national port and maritime security
interests. The Downtown Partnership is in a unique position to integrate at
all levels to expand the employment and investment base of these interests
for the long-term benefit of the entire community”
expressed Dr. Betzer.
Development projects
on the horizon for 2008 include: a proposed conversion of the former Euclid Elementary School to affordable homeownership opportunities for school teachers and an
effective media, marketing, and outreach role in promoting downtown St. Petersburg as a business model for the State of Florida and nationwide.
St. Petersburg
Downtown Partnership’s Chairman Ken Heretick expressed,
“We’re very fortunate to have Peter Betzer available to serve
the Downtown Partnership in this capacity. He has earned a unique status in
the community due to his long-term commitment to St. Petersburg and in
particular, its downtown area. His deep understanding of the issues,
opportunities for growth, extensive relationships in government, business,
and academic circles of importance enables the Downtown Partnership to
pursue its goals effectively for many years to come.”
To learn more about
the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, click here. To read the full
press release on Dr. Peter R. Betzer in his presidential role, click here.
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