St. Petersburg City Council members voted unanimously on Nov. 5 to rename the auditorium at the Enoch Davis Center after Rev. Watson Haynes II, a beloved faith leader and civil‑rights activist who died in 2022. The council directed the City Attorney’s Office to draft an amendment to City Code Section 2‑512 to formalize the dedication.
Why the honor matters
Councilmember Deborah Figgs‑Sanders said the naming reflects Haynes’s lifelong commitment to community unity, advocacy, and economic development. “This is an honor I wanted to bestow upon someone from the City of St. Petersburg who was instrumental in leading the community in unity, in advocacy and economic development,” she told the Catalyst.
Haynes grew up in the former Gas Plant district—now the site of Tropicana Field—graduated from St. Petersburg High School, and served as associate pastor at New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. From 2012 until his death, he was president and CEO of the Pinellas County Urban League, where he championed jobs, education, and poverty‑relief programs.
Community impact of the Enoch Davis Center
The Enoch Davis Center, operated by the St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department, provides space for a variety of human‑service agencies. Located at 1111 18th Avenue S., the facility houses community meeting rooms, multi‑purpose halls, legal‑aid services, congregate dining, and utility‑bill assistance. Councilmember Gina Driscoll noted that the auditorium can serve as a venue for meals, counseling, and guidance, reinforcing the center’s role as a hub for residents.
Family and faith reflections
Rev. Haynes’s widow, Valerie Pendarvis‑Haynes, expressed gratitude for the tribute, saying, “I’m ecstatic and also very appreciative to have this done in honor and support of Watson. His whole life was dedicated to serving the community.” She recalled how Rev. Enoch Davis mentored Haynes as a child, teaching him the value of service, integration, and education.
Figgs‑Sanders described Haynes as a personal role model, recalling their work together on the Coalition for a Safe and Drug‑Free St. Petersburg. “I used to refer to him as my Rev. Uncle Watson Haynes because he was a mentor for me and believed in me,” she said.
Looking ahead
The renamed auditorium will stand as a lasting reminder of Rev. Haynes’s dedication to equality, education, and community solutions. Councilmembers hope the dedication will inspire future generations to continue the work he began, reinforcing the historic partnership between faith, civic engagement, and public service in St. Petersburg.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
