South St. Petersburg is entering a new era of community-driven growth, as ambitious plans to revitalize the underserved MLK Business District move steadily from concept to reality. Local developer John Barkett and his wife, Julie, have taken a leading role in reshaping the area’s future, working closely with residents, local institutions and economic partners to create inclusive opportunities for the neighborhood. Their initiative, now known as The Looking Glass Initiative, is transforming several long-neglected properties along the 900 and 1000 blocks of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South, with a focus on empowerment, accessibility and long-term sustainability.
Among the most visible early efforts is the rebranding and expansion of the community’s long-running garden space. Now called the Healthy Roots Garden & Community Center, the site will serve as a gathering place, educational hub and platform for local residents to grow fresh produce and track their own wellness goals. The Barketts envision it as a cornerstone of health and social enrichment in South St. Petersburg, offering classes, community meals, agricultural workshops and other programming designed to strengthen neighborhood ties.
Complementing the garden is the establishment of a new Tech & Innovation Hub, sponsored by ARK Invest, the globally recognized investment firm known for backing forward-thinking technology companies. By locating the hub directly in the MLK Business District, the initiative aims to improve access to job training, digital literacy resources and economic opportunity. The goal is to ensure that residents of the community—particularly those historically excluded from high-growth industries—can gain relevant skills and pursue careers without having to travel far outside their neighborhood.
The initiative’s leaders emphasize that this effort is not simply about new construction or commercial investment. Rather, it is a non-displacing redevelopment strategy guided by the voices and priorities of those who call the area home. The Barketts have formed a Community Focus Group composed of South St. Pete residents, neighborhood advocates and small business owners. This advisory body plays a central role in shaping programming, shaping space design and determining which types of businesses and services will be prioritized in the district.
“This needs to be a permanent solution,” said Julie Barkett. “And in order for it to be so, it needs to be designed by the community, for the community. We’re just a conduit.”
The Looking Glass Initiative reflects a broader movement toward community-led planning, a model of urban planning that values local wisdom and cultural identity as much as architectural and financial expertise. By centering long-time residents in decision-making, the initiative seeks to prevent the displacement and cultural erasure that have accompanied redevelopment in many fast-growing urban areas across Tampa Bay and the state of Florida.
In addition to the tech hub and community garden, the Barketts have secured multiple tenants and are actively developing partnerships to expand healthcare and education offerings in the neighborhood. They are currently in discussions with two local hospitals to bring healthcare access, wellness programs and education programs into the district. These partnerships could provide critical services such as preventive care, health screenings, nutrition coaching and community health seminars—services that many residents have historically had to travel far to receive.
The overarching mission is to create a thriving, inclusive and self-sustaining destination that reflects the neighborhood’s heritage while unlocking new potential. By blending adaptive reuse of historic properties with modern community infrastructure, the developers aim to preserve the area’s architectural character while expanding economic and cultural opportunities. The transformation is also expected to encourage the growth of minority-owned businesses, entrepreneurial startups and workforce development initiatives that promote financial independence and local wealth-building.
Economic development experts note that strategic reinvestment in historically underserved corridors—combined with public-private partnerships—can have a ripple effect far beyond the immediate district. Increased foot traffic can support local businesses, while improvements in public space can enhance neighborhood pride and draw visitors from across St. Petersburg. In turn, this can boost business district revitalization, expand community resources and support the growth of affordable commercial spaces.
However, The Looking Glass Initiative is moving carefully to ensure that revitalization does not come at the expense of affordability. The project is rooted in principles of sustainable development and equitable access, meaning that residential displacement and rising rent costs are important considerations. While the Barketts are self-funding early-stage redevelopment, they are also actively seeking community-driven funding models and partnerships that allow residents to benefit directly from the district’s improvement.
The Healthy Roots Garden & Community Center, where John Barkett will serve as CEO, will play a vital role in this effort. More than a physical garden, the center will act as a cultural identity anchor—celebrating the history, traditions, art and lived experiences of South St. Pete. Plans include murals, oral history projects, intergenerational mentorship programs and neighborhood festivals that reflect the area’s deep cultural legacy.
Meanwhile, the Tech & Innovation Hub will help bridge the digital divide by offering workshops in business technology, coding, app development, social media entrepreneurship and digital craftsmanship. This emphasis on technology ensures that the community remains connected to the modern economic landscape and is able to compete in a rapidly shifting job market.
Ultimately, the Looking Glass Initiative represents a transformative moment for the MLK Business District. Rather than waiting for outside forces to shape the neighborhood’s destiny, residents and local leaders are collaborating to build a future rooted in pride, opportunity and shared ownership.
It is a vision built on the belief that revitalization can uplift rather than uproot—and that South St. Petersburg’s strongest asset has always been the resilience, creativity and history of its people.