2025's Grand Prix preparations have begun, promising to spark the city’s economy

Track construction begins for Grand Prix

FOX 13's Kailey Tracy reports on the grandstands being built in preparation for the 2025 Grand Prix race, and the high economic impacts city officials believe it will bring to the region.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The grandstands are going up, and the first block of the track's wall is ready for the Grand Prix of St. Pete.

With many in our area still recovering from back-to-back storms, city officials say this year's race means even more.

St. Pete's Grand Prix racetrack.

"We have been hit hard by hurricanes, but look at our streets," said Chris Steinocher, the president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. "We are back. We are clean. We are open. The registers are ringing. We need your help. You will see cars riding around on our streets at 200 miles per hour. You can get around in our community. Our beaches are open. Our waterways are open. We need your support as well."

Crews will start to build the track on Monday, estimating it will take about 15 days to finish.

Driving St. Pete's economy

The backstory:

Tourism officials said the race's economic impact was record-breaking last year, with more than $60 million being poured into the Tampa Bay region because of the event.

They say the race is a ‘holiday’ for Bay Area residents and that 2025’s race could break that $60 million threshold.

People attending the Grand Prix race.

READ ABOUT 2024’S GRAND PRIX: Firestone Grand Prix: The impacts it has on the Tampa Bay area

"I think it speaks to the resilience of our city and our county," St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch said, "Just take a look around the city. Take a drive around the city and see how beautiful it is. You'll see some scars and you'll see rebuilding. But, our city is back open for business. It's a beautiful time to come down to the city of St. Pete, and that race is going to be a weekend of making that invitation to the world."

A city on display

Welch invited the world to see the healing city and community.

"You’ll see some scars, and you’ll see some rebuilding. But our city is back open for business," Welch said. "It's a beautiful time to come down to the City of St. Pete, and the race is going to be making that invitation to the world."

Hurricanes Helene and Milton left a lot of damage at Albert Whitted Airport.

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Hurricane damage caused to St. Pete's Albert Whitted Airport.

Thirty-two hangars, ten planes, and two helicopters were destroyed.

The good news, the executive director of Albert Whitted Airport told FOX 13 News on Thursday, is that crews have it all cleaned up just in time for the Grand Prix.

READ ABOUT CLEANUP AT ALBERT WHITTED AIRPORT: Cleanup 'finally' begins at St. Pete's Albert Whitted Airport months after hurricanes

More on race weekend

What's next:

There are a lot of events throughout the week of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, including a 5K on Thursday, Feb. 27, with the money raised benefitting the Police Athletic League.

The INDYCAR Party in the Park in North Straub Park also returns on Thursday, Feb. 27. People can come meet drivers and see their cars from 4-7 p.m. There will also be music, food and giveaways.

"Bringing the fans and local community together downtown to kick off the race weekend has become another great Grand Prix tradition," said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions and organizer of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. "These unique fan-focused events allow for up-close access to the cars, drivers and the track itself," he said.