ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg City Council members are expected to begin discussion Thursday about whether to approve an amendment to the Salvador Dali Museum's lease with the city.

Voters passed a referendum in 2022 that would add land outside the current building to the agreement for a major expansion project.

That hasn't been made official yet, and a memo in the agenda for the council's December 5 meeting states that if it doesn't happen by December 31, the authority granted by the referendum will expire.

What You Need To Know

  •  St. Pete City Council is expected to discuss an amendment to its lease with the Dali Museum Thursday

  •  Voters approved changing the lease to add land just outside the building to the agreement

  •  The amendment would pave the way for a major expansion project

  • Delays held up this step, and the authority granted by the voter referendum will expire at the end of the year if the amendment isn't executed

"We feel very comfortable that we're in a place where we can advance this," said St. Petersburg Managing Director of Development Chris Ballestra. "Once we get to this point of, hopefully, approval through city council, then it's up to Dali to get the project completed."

Ballestra said the amendment faced a number of delays, including those related to the pandemic and funding - some of which he said was withdrawn during COVID.

The memo also details months of back-and-forth with the Dali on contract details beginning in April. It notes that county funding could also expire if the amendment isn't executed. According to the Dali's web site, Pinellas Commissioners approved $25 million in bed tax funds for the $68 million project. 

A 2023 report from Crossroads Consulting Services LLC for Pinellas County and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater says the Dali is the most visited single-artist museum in the country.

The report states the expansion is expected to increase attendees, room nights, and economic impact by 33% in the first year alone. Year one is also estimated to see nearly $20 million in additional direct spending, with that projected to grow to $30 million in year ten.

Ballestra said contract language is complete, but there are opportunities to make changes during construction, if needed.

"Dali is looking at a very large project, and it is the waterfront, so we treat it very carefully," he said.

Thursday's discussion is a first reading, with a second reading and public comment slated for December 12. 

Spectrum News reached out to the Dali Museum for comment. A spokesperson said the museum is holding off on interviews until after Thursday's meeting.