Well, after a good 2 years of mapping Saint Petersburg, Florida, I’m finally moving.

It’s been a real good time here, and there was (and is still) and lot of work to be done. I found myself adding entire skyscrapers that were new since the last major batch of changes to the area. Massive changes in property from gentrification and the constant shuffle of downtown businesses means that much of where I mapped had to be updated, and after COVID, I’m sure many of the businesses I added will have to be removed.

I started adding sidewalks to the general Downtown Saint Pete area, and worked to expand them. I think sidewalk routing as an accessibility possibility is important. I also think bicycling is important, so I made sure to add as many bike parking amenities as I could find.

There is still so much to do here. There are many addresses missing, many businesses still missing and the new pier has yet to be updated as it was only just completed. I doubt there is adequate aerial imagery of it yet.

Mapping St. Pete also taught me a first hand experience of the privilege inherent in mapping. The more affluent areas of our city were far and away better mapped than the poorer sections. As I was fortunate enough to live downtown, this was where I focused, especially since I didn’t often have time to go on mapping exclusive expeditions. So, as I write this, and having spent countless hours updating this part of the world, I reflect that there’s more that I can do and could have done. There are large swathes of Pinellas County that are no more than a road and increasingly out of date building footprints. There are many businesses missing, sidewalks are missing, addresses are missing, much less fire hydrants, benches, trash bins and other amenities that make life better.

At the moment, there are few active mappers in Saint Pete: the Amazon roadbuilders seem to be the most active after me. I wonder how long it will be before someone else comes in and takes the reins? I hope not long.

Thanks St. Pete, I’m off to map elsewhere!