Historic Uptown

Amenities, character, etc.

The Uptown area of St. Petersburg comprises several distincts; attractive neighborhoods that are primarily historic in nature and are close to downtown. In fact, 57 subdivisions exist in Uptown with a population of approximately 5,000s people. The area has an adopted neighborhood plan implemented by the City of St. Petersburg and a very active neighborhood association.

Amenities in Uptown are numerous as many parks are within or adjacent to the Uptown.

Neighborhoods: Round Lake Park, St. Anthony's Park, Crescent Lake Park and Woodlawn Lake Park.

Lighted tennis courts are located at Crescent Lake Park on the north, while St. Petersburg Lawn Bowling and Shuffleboard Club and the popular Coliseum Ballroom are located to the south. Many people run remote control boats in the water at Woodlawn Lake in the westside of Uptown. Additionally, there are several churches and excellent medical facilities in the area. The downtown area can be reached easily by foot, bus, taxi or automobile. Here one will find a greater concentration of antique dealers, good restaurants, art galleries and museums than probably anywhere in the state.

Architecture

Throughout the neighborhoods, brick streets and hexblock sidewalks can be found. The architecture, like the neighborhoods themselves, is varied. From small Vernacular style wood to bungalows to huge brick houses, one can find it all in Uptown. Some excellent examples of Art Deco architecture can be found at 5th Street and 11th Avenue North in the South Crescent Lake area. There are also some examples of Mediterranean Revival houses. Many homes date from the teens and 1920s. Commercial construction includes the Walgreen's located at 9th Avenue and 9th Street in the heart of Uptown, Florida Eye Center and several projects by St. Anthony's Hospital. Many commercial properties along 4th, 9th and 13th Streets have been significantly upgraded or renovated. Adaptive re-uses, including former apartment buildings and rooming houses present unique opportunities for conversion to single family homes or business offices.

History

Uptown was full of orange groves when St. Petersburg was in its infancy. The area of Uptown that was established first was Round Lake, which is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. The trolley car system ran along 7th Avenue North and stopped at what is now the gazebo in Round Lake Park. Here the cars passed each other as the northbound cars continued to 9th (now M. L. King) Street North. Round Lake Park was founded in 1911 and was purchased by the city for $600.00.

Organizations/programs

Uptown is an area that is undergoing a popular transformation into a lovely, historic (yet affordable) and charming area in which to live. There is a strong sense of "neighborhood" in the area and residents are always willing to lend a helping hand to others. The hard work of the residents, in cooperation with the City of St. Petersburg, has resulted in a tremendous revitalization of this once blighted area. The association sponsors a Home of the Month contest, neighborhood beautification projects, and publishes a "top ten" worst properties list quarterly to encourage the neighborhood clean up. Restoration is encouraged and supported in the neighborhood.