Urban League Pitches Sankofa Center for Deuces Rising Phase II

The Pinellas County Urban League (St. Petersburg, FL) has formally pitched its vision for the next phase of the Deuces Rising redevelopment, centered on a new Sankofa Empowerment Center along St. Petersburg’s historic 22nd Street South corridor.

In a December 30, 2025 proposal to Mayor Ken Welch, the organization outlined plans to anchor Phase II of the city-led project with a mixed-use commercial facility designed to serve as both an economic engine and community hub.

The proposal focuses on the “North Commercial Building,” a planned 28,000-square-foot, two-story development at the southwest corner of 22nd Street and 6th Avenue South. The project is part of a broader three-phase initiative that includes affordable townhomes already underway and a potential future mixed-use building with housing.

Under the plan, the City of St. Petersburg would construct and own the facility, then enter into a long-term lease with the Urban League, which would serve as the anchor tenant and property manager. The organization would also retain an option to purchase the building over time.

The Urban League’s leadership framed the project as a public-private partnership designed to activate the corridor with consistent programming, business activity and foot traffic. The organization expects to bring a roughly $7 million annual service portfolio into the space, positioning it as a central gathering point for entrepreneurs, residents and visitors.

The building itself is designed to blend multiple uses. Plans call for a mix of retail, office, food service and flexible commercial space, alongside co-working areas and an incubator-style shared business services suite. A portion of the second floor would house the Urban League’s headquarters, relocating its operations to the Deuces corridor.

A key feature is a 6,000-square-foot rooftop terrace envisioned as an event-driven living lounge. The space would host networking events, conferences and community gatherings, with the goal of drawing regional attention while supporting activity along the corridor.

The proposal emphasizes support for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Lease spaces would range from micro-units to larger footprints, with some offered below market rates. The Urban League also plans to provide access to capital, business training, mentorship and technology resources, including shared equipment and software.

By the second year of operations, the organization projects the facility could support around 100 entrepreneurs, including co-working members and traditional tenants.

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