Tag: St. Pete
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The St. Pete City Council is set to vote today on bonds to finance the city’s portion of the $1.3 billion stadium deal, as the Tampa Bay Times reported. Why It Matters Delays have already jeopardized the stadium plan, with the Tampa Bay Rays indicating the agreement reached during the summer is nearly defunct. Approval…
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The future of the Tampa Bay Rays in downtown St. Petersburg remains uncertain as tensions rise over financing for a new stadium at the Tropicana Field site. A stalemate between the team and Pinellas County has left the project in limbo, raising the question: could the site be redeveloped without the Rays playing there? The…
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Santa Claus is making his way to St. Petersburg, and families have plenty of opportunities to see him this Christmas season. Here’s where you can catch the jolly man in red: Special Events with Santa Santa at the Mall Santa will also be greeting visitors at shopping malls: Virtual Visit with Santa Families with children…
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The City of St. Pete may have cleared the 49-story hotel-branded condominium Waldorf Astoria in early November, but that was more of a formality than an obstacle. The real challenge is gaining approval at the federal level for the much-touted project, which is tentatively located at 150 2nd Avenue South in downtown St. Pete. The…
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On Friday, 10 Tampa Bay got an exclusive look at the debris clean-up process with CrowderGulf, one of the area’s largest debris-hauling contractors. CrowderGulf Disaster Recovery & Debris Management is handling debris collection in several locations, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Oldsmar, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, and parts of Hillsborough County. According to CrowderGulf Senior VP Reid…
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St. Petersburg is set to vote on a bond issuance to finance the city’s contribution to a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium, but it might not make a difference. Before the delayed bond vote on Tuesday evening, the Rays sent a stern letter to Pinellas County commissioners. Rays presidents Brian Auld and Matt Silverman stated…
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The City of St. Petersburg has been awarded a $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program. This funding aims to enhance safety for both pedestrians and drivers by addressing critical road hazards throughout the community. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch expressed his enthusiasm for the grant, stating,…
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The Mirror Lake neighborhood in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida may soon become a historic district, preserving its low-rise, pedestrian-friendly character. The city’s Community Planning and Preservation Commission unanimously approved a citizen-initiated application to designate the area as a local historic district. The proposed designation, led by the preservation group Preserve the Burg, must be approved…
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A St. Petersburg-based think tank has highlighted how Florida’s outdated traffic signals contribute to pedestrian-involved crashes, longer commutes, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The report, “Best Practices: Signalized Intersection Investments,” emphasizes the urgent need to enhance signal timing and responsiveness using artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies. The Florida Policy Project (FPP) released the study…
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Over a month has passed since Hurricane Milton struck the Tampa Bay area, marking the third significant storm to hit this season. Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton all left their mark on the coastline, leading to substantial damage and cleanup costs for St. Petersburg. The city views the St. Pete Pier as its “front porch,”…
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The Tampa Bay Rays may open the 2026 season at Tropicana Field if St. Petersburg city officials commit over $55 million to repair the stadium damaged by a recent storm. A 412-page report obtained by the Catalyst outlines $55.275 million in necessary repairs. These estimates do not include all expenses or the $6.5 million that…
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St. Pete Parks and Recreation is excited to present the “Holiday Movies in the Park” event series, part of the “Holidays in the Sunshine City” celebration. This free, family-friendly entertainment series offers a cozy outdoor movie experience and a festive kickoff to the holiday season. Each movie night begins with delightful activities before the main…
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The city of St. Petersburg is considering expanding its residential parking permit program beyond the current downtown core area to address growing parking issues in other neighborhoods. The city’s transportation and parking management director, Evan Mory, noted that the regulations have seen little update since the program launched in 1992. Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz requested the…
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St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway shared a mix of good and bad news with city council members during a recent quarterly crime update. From July 1 through September 30, criminal offenses decreased by 4.8%. Over the past five years, crime has dropped by 7.1%. However, homicides have risen by 30% year over year, increasing…
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Hurricane Milton inflicted damage on nearly 16,000 homes in St. Petersburg, leaving residents with a complex and potentially costly rebuilding process. City officials are working diligently to assist storm victims and prevent them from having to decide between moving, elevating their homes, or undoing completed work. Floodplain manager Hannah Rebholz provided important clarifications for city…
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The real estate development firm behind St. Petersburg’s tallest tower has agreed to reimburse the city for all expenses incurred after Hurricane Milton sent a construction crane crashing into a nearby office building. The subcontractor responsible for the 500-foot tower crane may also face daily fines of $1,500 if they fail to reopen nearby roads…
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Members of the St. Petersburg City Council learned Thursday about the damage Hurricane Milton caused to the St. Pete Pier. There was both good news and bad news. Chris Ballestra, the City’s Managing Director of Development, reported that the Glazer Family Playground was completely submerged by Hurricane Milton’s heavy rain, following Hurricane Helene’s storm surge.…
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Einstein Bros. Bagels and Rita’s Italian Ice are set to open new storefronts along St. Petersburg’s bustling 66th Street corridor. Einstein Bros. Bagels will be located at 2216 66th Street North in an outparcel retail strip outside the Tyrone Square Mall. Across the street, Rita’s Italian Ice will open at 2141 66th Street North in…
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A heavily trafficked section of downtown St. Petersburg’s sidewalk and seawall was left dangerously compromised after Hurricane Milton. The area has posed a public safety hazard for nearly a month. On Thursday, the city council approved a $3.48 million proposal to replace the waterfront infrastructure. However, the Vinoy Yacht Basin’s sidewalk and seawall will remain…
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Hurricanes Helene and Milton left many Pinellas County residents in need. So, the city of St. Petersburg is ramping up efforts to provide critical recovery resources to residents. The city has organized two upcoming events to guide residents through the permitting process, available financial aid, and strategies for building future disaster resilience. Virtual Session on…
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After almost 10 years of serving raw oysters and crab legs in downtown St. Petersburg, the beloved seafood restaurant Sea Salt will be closing its doors. The restaurant’s parent company, Aielli Group, announced in a press release on Tuesday that the lease on the second floor of The Sundial is coming to an end. “The…
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More indoor courts are on their way as a growing pickleball club franchise is set to expand into the Sunshine City. St. Pete residents, Kevin and Lisa Goettel, have teamed up to bring Dill Dinkers, a Columbia, Maryland-based chain of pickleball clubs, to Pinellas County. Born out of necessity in 2022 by pickleball aficionados Will…
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This December, the annual St. Petersburg Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will return to delight spectators along the downtown waterfront. On December 7th at 6:30 pm, a colorful procession of boats decked out in holiday lights will wind its way through the city’s picturesque harbor. Organized by local sponsors including Pier Dolphin Cruises, Nautical Sounds, and…
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St. Petersburg’s Parks and Recreation Department released staggering damage assessments Thursday, revealing the extensive impact of recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the city’s nationally recognized park system. Storm Damage By the Numbers: Major Facility Impacts: Closed Playgrounds: Recovery Efforts: Community Enrichment Administrator Mike Jefferis reported that while all city parks and athletic facilities have…
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In March, the City of St. Petersburg made a key change to Tropicana Field’s insurance, lowering the coverage limit for wind and flood damage claims from $100 million to $25 million. The adjustment, intended to save the city $275,000 annually in premiums, significantly reduces the payout potential from insurance for storm-related damages. This change now…
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St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch announced Friday a series of temporary relief measures to help residents and businesses struggling with utility payments in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The relief package includes: These measures apply to bills due between September 25 and December 31, 2024. “The damage and destruction from back-to-back hurricanes has…
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Reluctantly, St. Petersburg’s City Council has approved two contracts totaling up to $6.5 million to prevent further deterioration of Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton left the stadium’s roof severely damaged. Since the city is responsible for maintaining Tropicana Field, officials must address damage promptly to comply with insurance terms. In a 6-2 vote on Thursday,…
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To spite two back-to-back hurricanes, life continues, and Halloween is around the corner on Oct. 31, ready or not. St. Petersburg will host a large, free event this Sunday, October 27, to remind kids of the joys of costumes, family time, and trick-or-treating. The fourth annual Halloween on Central will take place this Sunday from…
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Back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton have pushed many Florida residents to their breaking point, with homeowners in flood-prone areas rushing to list their properties and relocate to safer ground – or leave the state entirely. “We’re not going to move back into this house, it was very traumatic, and I don’t want to go through…
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The St. Petersburg City Council approved an incentive package to help ensure Foot Locker selects the city as the location for its new global headquarters. This decision came amidst the brief window between Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In a 7-2 vote, the council agreed to provide up to $475,000 to the Fortune 500 company. Foot…
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The beloved St. Pete Saturday Morning Market has made its triumphant return to Downtown St. Pete, bringing together over 100 vendors from across the Tampa Bay area. This weekly event stands as a cornerstone of St. Petersburg’s community life, offering a diverse and lively experience for both locals and tourists. Market Highlights What to Expect…
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The Tampa Bay Rays are facing uncertainty about where they’ll play at the start of the 2025 MLB season due to significant damage at Tropicana Field caused by Hurricane Milton. The stadium’s roof and other areas were severely affected, making it unlikely the team will open at home as originally scheduled. Potential alternatives for home…
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The grocery chain will host a distribution event in St. Petersburg, providing essential supplies to those affected by the storm… #PIESun
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This three-day event offers an opportunity for local residents, particularly those facing challenging circumstances, to receive a warm meal at no cost… #PIESun
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The recent tropical system that battered St. Petersburg has left in its wake an environmental crisis, as nearly 1.5 million gallons of untreated wastewater surged through city neighborhoods. The storm’s powerful surge overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure, leading to widespread sewage discharges. At the heart of this environmental emergency was the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility (NWRF),…
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The Cross Bay Ferry will make its long-awaited return this weekend, resuming its route between Tampa and St. Petersburg on Friday, October 4. Offering a scenic and convenient travel option, the ferry will operate from Wednesday through Sunday, catering to both residents and visitors seeking a unique way to commute or explore the area. This…
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