For over five decades, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership has played a major role in transforming downtown St. Petersburg, always seeking to be the right catalyst at the right time to move the city forward through individual projects and initiatives. The Downtown Partnership’s legacy began with an extraordinarily successful first project – helping to locate a University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg. The Downtown Partnership focused on Economic Development, Featured Initiatives, Innovation, Leadership Advocacy, and created and manages a Technology Fund.

The Downtown Project has led projects ranging from land acquisition for the USFSP campus, to support for the marine science sector of the economy, to investments in burgeoning technology companies. Most recently, the Downtown Partnership provided seed money and administrative support to launch the Warehouse Arts District and Innovation District. The organization also provides administrative support for The Looper, a free trolley system in Downtown St. Pete.

Jason Mathis, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership

Jason Mathis

HRS recruited Jason Mathis to serve as the President and CEO in 2018. Previously, Jason served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Since joining the Downtown Partnership, Jason has been involved with numerous projects designed to expand prosperity in St. Petersburg.