On September 4, 1988, St. Petersburg celebrated the completion of a $25 million renovation of the Bayfront Center and Mahaffey Theater. The 16-month project modernized one of the city’s major cultural and entertainment destinations, and the reopening became a celebration for the entire community.
The festivities began at noon with skydivers parachuting into the parking lot. Inside and outside, visitors found an eclectic mix of entertainment, creating a carnival-like atmosphere around the newly renovated center.
Organizers also looked to the past, offering refreshments at prices that recalled the venue’s original opening in the 1960s. The celebration drew an enormous crowd, far surpassing the committee’s original goal of 40,000 people.
The Bayfront Center had reopened at a pivotal moment for downtown St. Pete. Along with the newly renovated Pier and other major projects, it reflected the city’s ambitious efforts to reshape its downtown waterfront during the 1980s.
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