ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — St. Pete Beach commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the expansion of the TradeWinds Island Resorts on Gulf Boulevard during a meeting Tuesday evening.
Mayor Adrian Petrila and Commissioner Betty Rzewnicki were the opposing votes. Commissioners also voted to approve some conditions.
The contentious vote came down past midnight, just like last week's special meeting. It prompted a delay in the vote after several public comments sharing support and opposition.
TradeWinds Resort aims to add more than 600 hotel rooms, new parking garages and thousands of square feet of meeting and retail space, including a public rooftop deck. Developers have previously said they'd like to finish the expansion in twenty years.
This multimillion-dollar project is anticipated to launch a huge transformation to Gulf Boulevard.
Developers and supporters see the expansion as an opportunity to boost the local and state economy and elevate the existing property for both tourists and residents.
"This is a game-changer," said Kyle Parks, a spokesperson for TradeWinds. "We're talking jobs. We're talking more opportunities for the public."
However, residents who oppose the vote believe it will only lead to more congestion, threaten wildlife on the beach, and change the ambiance of St. Pete Beach. Some also take aim at new commission members after four members resigned over new disclosure requirements required under a new state law that took effect this year.
"We don't want it to be another Clearwater Beach," Jody Powell, a resident of St. Pete Beach since 1973 said. "I'm even thinking about moving."
The vote came down after commissioners also narrowly voted to approve the expansion of the Sirata Beach Resort. Critics made similar arguments to that expansion leading up to the vote.