Nonprofit behind St. Petersburg's Trails Crossing plan talks funding and construction timeline

The stretch will fall between Fifth Avenue South and Burlington Avenue North, which is a popular area for St. Pete residents.(Courtesy of John Barkett / Friends of Trails Crossing)The St. Petersburg City Council unanimously approved a plan Thursday to transform land beneath Interstate 275 into public parks and gathering spaces.But the project still faces a major hurdle before it can take off — how the nonprofit Friends of Trails Crossing will secure the estimated $55 million needed to bring it to life.John Barkett is the president and co-founder of Friends of Trails Crossing. He said the nonprofit has raised $180,000 to date, with most going towards developing the project's master plan and early renderings.The organization expects to fund the project in phases through federal and state grants, private donations and corporate sponsorships."The funding isn't coming from the city of St. Petersburg, but the city is acting as a good partner in helping sponsor us or be the lead for some of