About the Center

U.S. Geological Survey
Center for Coastal and Regional Marine Studies
600 Fourth Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-4846

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The Center investigates scientific processes related to societal problems arising in coastal and marine environments, including natural hazards, resources, and environmental change. Increased understanding of these topics will provide the basis for:

• predicting future coastal erosion,
• the fate of wetlands and coral reefs,
• accumulation of sediments,
• sediment transport and stability,
• circulation,
• movement of pollution through aqueous environments,
• and the locations of economically valuable minerals.

The Center works closely with USGS coastal and Marine research centers in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and Menlo Park, California, and USGS Biology and Water Resources offices around Florida. The Center also works closely with faculty and students of the University of South Florida on problems critical to the mission of the agency.

History of the Center

Phase I: USGS Arrives in St. Petersburg

In the late 1980s the USGS serched for a location to establish a Center for Coastal Geology. The tremendous support of the St. Petersburg business community and the University of South Florida were instrumental in choosing St. Petersburg. The initial contingent of six scientists began work in a temporary downtown location - a former podiatrist's office.

In 1989 the historic Studebaker Building was renovated as the new Center for Coastal Geology. Originally built in 1925 as a Studebaker dealership and repair shop, the Studebaker Distributor sign is still present on the back of the building. The wagon wheels on the Studebaker logo are for the Conestoga Wagons that the Studebaker Brothers sold before they ventured into automobiles. The original tile in the front lobby and the open style of the building and ceilings are in keeping with the original architecture.

Prior to the renovation, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership with USF sought to revitalize this area of St. Petersburg. The USGS Center for Coastal Geology was one of the first components of this revitalization plan.

Phase II: The Getting Building

By 1996 the staff of the Center had grown to approximately 60 and construction began on the second Center building. The Getting Building was completed and opened on May 8, 1996. Named after Paul L. Getting, a St. Petersburg business leader whose hard work was instrumental in bringing the USGS to St. Petersburg, the building was constructed with State funds.

The Getting Building expanded the capabilities of the USGS to include more offices, a large laboratory space, electronics shop, warehouse, and loading/staging area.

Phase III and the C.W. Bill Young Marine Science Complex

Pursuing effective studies Earth science requires a multidisciplinary approach and a broad range of expertise. Consequently, the USGS has designated the Center for Coastal and Regional Marine Studies as a center for integrated science. The scientific staff has grown from a core group of geologists to include biologists, hydrologists, remote sensing specialists, biogeochemists, microbiologists, coral reef experts, fish ecologists, and more.

Ground was broken on February 23, 2002 for a third building. The new building will have state of the art laboratory facilities, a public outreach area, and a scientific conference area.

The third USGS building will be the latest addition to the new C.W. Bill Young Marine Science Complex. Dedicated on February 23, 2002 along with groundbreaking on the third USGS building and named for Congressman C.W. Bill Young, the Marine Science Complex is a cooperative venture of the USGS and the neighboring University of South Florida.