Stalemate Vote by St. Petersburg’s Preservation Commission Puts Future of Historic Euclid Church in Jeopardy

St. Petersburg, FL — In a highly controversial decision on November 12, 2024, the Community Planning and Preservation Commission (CPPC) of St. Petersburg reached a deadlock in its recent vote, failing to support the renovation of the historic Euclid Church. The 3-3 vote effectively denies any path forward for the century-old building’s preservation, leaving its future in limbo and igniting a wave of frustration among community members and preservation advocates.

The Euclid Church, located at 919 10th Ave. N. near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., opened on Thanksgiving of 1926 and was designated a historic site in 2004. Semi-vacant since 2005, this landmark now faces an uncertain future. Its owners, who have invested their life savings and over 15 months of dedicated effort into restoration plans, presented the CPPC with detailed reports on sound, traffic, and parking—carefully taking neighbor considerations into account and backed by extensive community support. With over 176 offsite parking spaces secured and professional assessments provided, they believed these solutions fully aligned with city guidelines. Reflecting the deep disappointment felt by many, owner Noam Krasniansky stated, “This really took the wind out of my sails, I am in total shock.”

Despite these efforts, the CPPC dismissed the owners’ proposals. Some members disregarded the considerable research and resources committed to preserving the building. This decision has sparked criticism, as the CPPC’s mandate is to protect the city’s historical assets—not to pave the way for their destruction.

With the CPPC’s ruling, the Euclid Church building is now effectively unusable, unsellable, and beyond renovation, leaving demolition as the only viable option for the owners. This outcome underscores a paradox in the city’s preservation process: while some property owners seek to avoid historical designation to enable redevelopment, the Euclid Church owners have fought to preserve the building—only to be thwarted by the very commission tasked with safeguarding St. Petersburg’s historic legacy.

Despite these efforts, the CPPC dismissed the owners’ proposals. Some members disregarded the considerable research and resources committed to preserving the building. This decision has sparked criticism, as the CPPC’s mandate is to protect the city’s historical assets—not to pave the way for their destruction.

With the CPPC’s ruling, the Euclid Church building is now effectively unusable, unsellable, and beyond renovation, leaving demolition as the only viable option for the owners. This outcome underscores a paradox in the city’s preservation process: while some property owners seek to avoid historical designation to enable redevelopment, the Euclid Church owners have fought to preserve the building—only to be thwarted by the very commission tasked with safeguarding St. Petersburg’s historic legacy.