Plans to drastically expand and reimagine the Enoch Davis Center and adjacent James Weldon Johnson Community Library are moving forward.
A new website dedicated to the estimated $51 million Davis-Johnson Community Project states that it will “create a modern, inclusive space where history, culture and community come together” in South St. Petersburg. The new 52,000-square-foot state-of-the-art shared facility will provide “accessible space that reflects the community’s needs and aspirations.”
Mayor Ken Welch noted that he spends a lot of time at the center and is “well aware” of its popularity – and its condition. He called the project an “investment in our community that touches almost every pillar we have,” from education and youth opportunities to public health and safety.
“I think the community deserves a modern facility that they can be proud of,” Welch told the Catalyst. “You name it, that hub will support it.”
The city began seeking proposals from a qualified construction manager to oversee the project Aug. 28, with submissions due Sept. 25. Officials have opened a community survey; they will also host a public meeting later this month to gather feedback that helps “guide the vision for this important community space” at 1111 8th Ave. S.
What Welch has called a “vital but dated” facility played a vital role in the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes. Over 775 South St. Pete residents braved a heat index that topped 100 degrees on a Friday afternoon in October 2024 to receive critical resources at the Enoch Davis Center.
The outpouring of people who repeatedly visited the facility seeking help and camaraderie did not surprise Lynnete Buchanan, its longtime supervisor. She said the center has catalyzed the underserved South St. Pete community since its inception in 1981.
Congresswoman Kathy Castor secured $1.5 million, her full request, in federal Community Priority Grant funding for the project in March 2024. “I love that one because I’m at the Enoch Davis Center a lot,” she said. “Those modern, up-to-date community centers are more important than ever.”
Welch first announced the modernization project in May 2023. He said the facility would provide “technology and tools to excel in our competitive 21st-century economy.”
Welch compared his vision for Enoch Davis to Pinellas County’s investment in the Lealman Exchange Community Center. The 77,000-square-foot campus has thrived in an underserved, unincorporated area since the St. Petersburg Foundation began operating the publicly-owned facility in April 2022.
“Folks can easily see the difference between the two (facilities),” Welch said. “I don’t want to send our kids to a place they can’t be proud of. I think there’s a lot of community support.”
The 18,000-square-foot Enoch Davis Center offers human services, meeting rooms, multipurpose halls and other neighborhood amenities. It also frequently hosts community events, and once housed the now-adjacent library.
The 14,000-square-foot community library relocated to its current site in 2002. It provides study, technology and reading spaces, while multipurpose rooms complement the myriad of services offered next door.
According to the Aug. 28 request for qualifications (RFQ), officials conducted a programming study to determine the space needed to house the two reimagined facilities. The answer was 53,000 square feet, which necessitated a “new community center and library in a single facility.”
“This is more than a construction project; it’s a commitment to the community’s future,” states the project website. “We’re ensuring these beloved landmarks remain places where people connect, create and thrive for generations to come.”
Administrators selected St. Petersburg-based Place Architecture to lead design efforts. The project requires LEED Certification for environmental sustainability.
Place Architecture and the city will host a community meeting at the center to “explore ideas for reimagining” the facilities Sept. 27, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. “Your voice shapes this project,” states the website.
Construction will commence once officials approve a design. An evaluation committee will select finalists for the construction manager role Oct. 17 and name a winning proposal Nov. 4.
The center, which serves over 30,000 people annually, owes its moniker to Rev. Enoch D. Davis, a longtime activist and civic leader who dedicated his life to enriching the community. He called the facility bearing his name “one of my greatest honors.”
“We’re committed to creating a space that truly reflects what the community wants and needs,” states the city’s website. “After gathering input, we’ll present a concept that embodies the community’s voice, including detailed plans and cost estimates.”
For more information on the project, visit the website here.
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
