Tag: Madeira Beach
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Less than a year after committing $18 million in taxpayer funds to a waterfront property purchase, Madeira Beach commissioners are eyeing another multimillion-dollar land deal at the entrance to the city — this time putting up $15,000 of public money just to find out if the numbers make sense. At a special meeting Aug. 20,…
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Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the Gulf Coast, some Madeira Beach property owners are still deciding what to do with vacant lots left behind by the storms — and at least one option now involves turning empty land into paid parking. Mike Wyckoff, a longtime real estate broker and Madeira Beach…
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Madeira Beach officials are moving forward with a project aimed at reducing chronic tidal flooding after securing $100,000 in state grant funding to help install new backflow valves throughout the city. The city has identified 13 low-lying locations where the valves would be installed. The project is expected to cost approximately $200,000, with the state…
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Nearly two months after a costly sand dredging project wrapped up at John’s Pass, city leaders say leftover debris from the old bridge could be undoing the work. The Florida Department of Transportation demolished the former John’s Pass bridge to build a new drawbridge, which opened more than a dozen years ago. Concrete rubble from…
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Madeira Beach city commissioners are scheduled to hold a final vote Wednesday on a $150 million hotel development proposed for the heart of John’s Pass Village. The project, led by JPV Hotel Property partner Bill Karns, calls for a six-story, 87-room hotel that would join Marriott’s Tribute Collection, a brand designed to reflect the character…
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The Madeira Beach Fire Department has become the first agency in Pinellas County to receive a rip current simulator, giving firefighters a new way to train for one of the Gulf Coast’s most dangerous water emergencies. The simulator, purchased for approximately $13,000 and reimbursed through a grant from the Florida Department of Children and Families,…
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A proposal to redevelop a key parcel in the heart of John’s Pass Village won unanimous approval on its first reading Monday, putting an 87-room hotel, retail space, and a new public park on track for construction within two years. The Madeira Beach Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to rezone the 1.457-acre site from John’s…
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Construction is officially underway on a new eight-story, 161-unit hotel along Madeira Way after a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday. The project, called The Beachmaker, will replace a cluster of vacant and storm-damaged buildings that have sat idle since the 2024 hurricane season. Madeira Beach Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks attended the event and operated construction equipment to…
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A debate over the future of Tom and Kitty Stuart Park in Madeira Beach has emerged as the city works to rebuild the beachfront property nearly 18 months after Hurricane Helene devastated it. The city’s Public Works department says it plans to restore the park to its pre-Helene condition, including an upgraded restroom. The proposed…
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Madeira Beach city commissioners approved a $1.5 million contract Wednesday to dredge sand from John’s Pass, addressing a problem that has worsened since 2020. Bayside Dredging will remove up to 12,900 cubic yards of sand from the waterway, which has become increasingly clogged with natural sand deposits. The buildup has narrowed the channel and created…
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The Madeira Beach City Commission has approved $30,700 to remove sand from beneath the historic Snack Shack at Archibald Park, a necessary step before officials can determine whether the building can be repaired. Hurricane Helene’s 6.5-foot storm surge on September 26, 2024, severely damaged the structure, which has remained closed since the storm. Sand washed…
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During the Feb. 26 Madeira Beach workshop meeting, the city’s parks took center stage, signaling a shift to a more stable phase of hurricane recovery. Discussions highlighted beachfront Archibald Park’s new restrooms, the proposed “Honor Court” at Patriot Park, and fresh designs for neighborhood pocket parks. Archibald Park, located at Tom Stuart Causeway, serves as…
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As spring break nears, several major beach parking lots remain closed. Visitors hoping to park at Madeira Beach and Treasure Island sections report difficulties finding available spots due to the closure of large lots. With improving weather drawing more visitors to southwest Florida, securing beach parking is becoming increasingly challenging. In regions hit hard by…
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After more than four months of rebuilding, Tampa Bay’s largest American Legion post is officially reopening following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. American Legion Post 273, located just east of the 150th Avenue drawbridge leading to Madeira Beach, suffered severe flooding when the hurricane struck, with over three feet of water inundating the building.…
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There are visible signs of recovery in Madeira Beach, with live music at the Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar and restaurants bustling on Thursday nights. While some businesses have reopened, others remain closed and boarded up, as do several homes due to extensive hurricane damage. Many residents, like those in nearby areas, are unable to begin…
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Determination, dedication, and debris removal. Coastal communities are on the mend, and a dedicated group of volunteers is addressing the incessant issue of debris that arrives with each tide. In Pinellas County, a new wave of environmental activists is on the rise, led by 16-year-old Caymus Maxson, who is turning local beach cleanups into a…
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Madeira Beach’s iconic John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk, known for its quaint turn-of-the-century charm and bustling tourist scene, might see significant changes in the near future. According to recent whispers and confirmed developments, a hotel project has been given the go-ahead by the city, potentially displacing six shops, while the popular Caddy’s restaurant faces an…
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At the Dec. 11 commission meeting, numerous residents from Madeira Beach and nearby areas advocated for the reopening of the John’s Pass jetty. The sentiment has continued since then, especially among local businesses who benefit from it. The jetty was closed due to safety concerns after sustaining damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with the…
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Rebuilding efforts for Madeira Beach residents, including Yarisi Valero, remain at a standstill more than a month after Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction. Valero’s home, flooded with over three feet of water, now sits gutted to the studs. Although she removed 45 inches of drywall throughout the house, she’s been unable to move forward without…
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FEMA has allocated an additional $114 million in funding for debris removal in the aftermath of the recent hurricane season. This funding is designated for several areas in the Tampa Bay region, including: According to FEMA, the agency has provided $927.6 million for Hurricane Milton, $378.3 million for Hurricane Helene, and $102.4 million for Hurricane…
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Hurricane recovery efforts dominated discussions at the Madeira Beach City Commission workshop and regular meeting on November 13. The city’s October meetings were canceled due to ongoing recovery efforts following recent storms. Damaged Jetty Sparks Debate City Manager Robin Gomez reported significant damage to the John’s Pass jetty, which had been battered first by Hurricane…
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Residents of Indian Rocks Beach (IRB) are expressing frustration over the announcement that all City Hall offices will be closed for an extended period next week. The closure spans from Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29, covering Thanksgiving and the day after. This means that no progress will be made on critical permitting processes…
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Treasure Island commissioners recently decided to delay two significant initiatives: the creation of a living shoreline at Treasure Bay and a policy requiring residents to indemnify the city before obtaining building permits if a substantial damage assessment hasn’t been conducted. On Nov. 7, Commissioner Bob Minning made a surprising motion to remove a $3 million…
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The 58th annual Madeira Beach Festival of Lights Holiday Boat Parade is set to light up the waters this December. The parade will commence at 6:30 p.m. on December 14 at ROC Park in Madeira Beach. This year, due to hurricane-related damage, the parade route will be shortened for the safety of all participants, as…
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton inflicted so much damage that Madeira Beach Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks is concerned about the future of the city’s roughly 4,000 full-time residents, as many struggle to afford the cost of rebuilding. “The impact on our city is immense,” Mayor Brooks told 10 Tampa Bay. “It’s clear Madeira Beach will never look…
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Most of Madeira Beach’s city commissioners endured significant personal losses when Hurricane Helene’s record-breaking storm surge flooded Pinellas County. This week, they shared their powerful stories of resilience and commitment to the community. “We’re strong, we’re resilient, and we will rebuild,” said District 3 Commissioner Eddie McGeehan, 55, told Bay News 9. McGeehan lost his…
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For Madeira Beach and Tampa Bay residents and visitors who have long cherished the convenience of the dock at 650 150th Ave, nestled between McDonald’s and Publix, its absence has left a noticeable void. Once a unique spot for boaters to pull up, grab groceries, or stop for a quick meal, the dock is gone…
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