The St. Petersburg Science Center has signed an agreement with the School Board of Pinellas County that clears the way for a dedicated bus entrance designed to improve safety for students, staff and nearby residents.

Signed June 19, the Road Access Agreement grants St. Pete for STEAM LLC shared use of the alley along the western edge of the Science Center property. That access will allow the Science Center to construct a new gated bus entrance that will route school buses away from 22nd Avenue North.

Once completed, buses will enter the campus through the western entrance, allowing them to stage on site instead of mixing with everyday traffic along the main roadway. The change is expected to reduce congestion while creating a safer arrival and departure process for students.

The new motorized gate will be funded through a sponsorship from the Levett Foundation, which is supporting its design and installation.

The agreement reflects collaboration between the Science Center and Pinellas County Schools to improve access to the campus before it opens.

"Pinellas County Schools has been wonderful to work with," said Joe Hamilton, founder of the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence. "Their willingness to share this access road will help create a safer environment for students and residents. I greatly appreciate the partnership of Superintendent Kevin Hendrick, Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Dull, the PCS legal team and everyone who helped move this agreement forward."

With the agreement in place, the Science Center will begin permitting and construction of the new entrance, bringing the project one step closer to opening a facility designed to serve the West St. Petersburg community for generations.

‍