Tag: Treasure Island
-
Treasure Island is adding two new code compliance inspectors, expanding a bureaucracy still working through a backlog of complaints tied to hurricanes Helene and Milton, while quietly preparing to roll out a new surveillance system aimed at short-term rentals. With the new hires, every district in Treasure Island will now have its own dedicated inspector,…
·
-
Treasure Island has secured an additional $2.5 million in state funding to build a new public safety facility, nearly two years after Hurricane Helene destroyed the building that once housed the city’s fire rescue and police departments. The 1957-era building took on roughly three feet of floodwater during the 2024 storm, leaving it a total…
·
-
A contested plan to change beachfront development rules in Treasure Island is on hold again after city commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday night to delay a decision. The proposed Planned Development ordinance would allow property owners to seek customized approval for individual redevelopment projects. Much of the debate centers on the historic Thunderbird Beach Resort, which…
·
-
Dozens of volunteers spent Sunday morning cleaning up Treasure Island’s beach after Fourth of July celebrations left behind piles of litter. The group, Treasure Island Adopt-a-Beach, brought together 39 volunteers who filled 90 bags with a total of 450 pounds of trash. The debris included food wrappers, towels, leftover fireworks, and large amounts of plastic…
·
-
The future of Treasure Bay’s ongoing transformation will largely depend on the city’s ability to fund future improvements, according to Mayor John Doctor, who said upcoming budget decisions will play a key role in determining what comes next for the waterfront recreation complex. Treasure Bay, a 17-acre city-owned property on Boca Ciega Bay, has been…
·
-
Treasure Island city commissioners are meeting tonight to continue deliberations over a proposed Planned Development ordinance that has divided residents and officials over the future character of the Gulf Coast community. The ordinance, which was first discussed last month, would not approve any specific building projects immediately. Instead, it would establish a process allowing property…
·
-
Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton forced it to close, Sunset Beach Pavilion on Treasure Island is preparing to welcome the public again. The pavilion’s official reopening is scheduled for June 4, with a celebration featuring food trucks and live music on the beach. Restoration work began in January. Hurricane Helene flooded the…
·
-
Treasure Island city commissioners voted 3-2 on March 16 to again reject a shade structure for the Rosselli Park playground, leaving the city’s only ADA-accessible play area without overhead cover ahead of summer. Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke told commissioners that a large bottlebrush tree that once shaded most of the play area was destroyed by…
·
-
Treasure Island city commissioners unanimously approved a significant increase in summer camp fees at their Feb. 17 meeting, raising the cost of the 10-week program from $700 to $1,000 for residents — a 42.5% jump. Nonresidents will see fees climb from $900 to $1,200, a 33% increase. The decision came after Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke…
·
-
Treasure Island city commissioners this week denied a request from the owners of Thunderbird Beach Resort to rebuild taller following hurricane damage. The landmark hotel has been closed since Hurricane Helene, with owners reporting that damage from Helene and Milton was catastrophic, affecting 80 percent of the property. The nearly two-acre waterfront property is located…
·
-
Treasure Island has completed removing more than 128,000 tons of storm debris following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck the area in close succession one year ago. The cleanup process took approximately six months and cost just over $2 million, according to Assistant Public Works Director Jeffrey Agrall. The city spent $136,544 after Hurricane Helene…
·
-
Treasure Island city leaders held a public meeting Wednesday night to share details about an upcoming beach renourishment project that’s already received final approval. But not everyone is on board. More than 130 homeowners have yet to sign the necessary easements, with many expressing concerns that the last renourishment effort failed to deliver results. “I’m…
·
-
Recovery efforts continue in Treasure Island following last year’s damaging storms—and for many local businesses, the lingering effects are hitting hard. Several major hotels remain closed or are only partially operational. The iconic Thunderbird Hotel, for example, is still shut down and undergoing a full rebuild. As a result, some business owners say they’re seeing…
·
-
Business owners recovering from hurricane damage are rebuilding with resilience in mind. At local favorite Ricky T’s, a hugely popular destination in Treasure Island, staff members are celebrating the completion of renovations designed to withstand future storms. Owner Brad Piche prioritized hurricane-proofing the restaurant, a beloved local fixture for decades. To enhance durability, the restaurant’s…
·
-
City departments in Treasure Island are evaluating their performance during the 2024 hurricane season and preparing to present their findings to city commissioners on Tuesday. The goal: identify strengths and weaknesses to better prepare for future emergencies. Representatives from the fire department, police, community development, finance, administration, parks and recreation, and public information have each…
·
-
Treasure Island residents now have the option to voluntarily elevate their properties, including garages, driveways, and seawalls, using fill dirt to protect their homes from rising sea levels. Since the 1940s, sea levels around the island have risen by 9 inches, with high tide events, including sunny day flooding, causing stormwater to back up into…
·
-
Treasure Island City Commissioners are urging residents making hurricane-related home repairs to submit their permit applications by May 31 in order to qualify for a waiver on permit fees. Barb Adams, a longtime Treasure Island resident, is finally preparing to move back into her storm-damaged home next week after nearly eight months in temporary housing.…
·
-
Just three weeks before hurricane season begins, Treasure Island city commissioners voted Monday night to remove City Manager Chuck Anderson, citing what they called a failure of leadership following last year’s storms. In a 3-2 decision during a public meeting, commissioners dismissed Anderson—one of the city’s top officials—pointing to unresolved infrastructure issues and a lack…
·
-
The beloved Thunderbird Beach Resort on Treasure Island is being reimagined, but its heart remains in the stories and memories of the guests who’ve called it a home away from home. For decades, families, couples, and friends have gathered at the iconic beachfront destination, soaking up the sun and making memories—many over a drink at…
·
-
With hurricane season officially starting on June 1, now is the time to prepare — and the City of Treasure Island is here to help. If you live on this beautiful stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast, don’t miss the upcoming Hurricane Expo on Wednesday, May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall (10451…
·
-
The City of Treasure Island has decided against extending the presence of state-provided recovery staff, opting instead to rely on its own resources as it continues to rebuild from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The decision, made during a recent city commission meeting, marks a shift in the city’s approach to managing…
·
-
Treasure Island has revised several ordinances to allow residents to elevate their homes, offering a new option to protect against flooding as part of a terrain modification program set to begin on May 1. The use of fill material in this process remains entirely optional, according to city officials. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread…
·
-
As our coastal communities continue rebuilding after last fall’s storms, two beloved beachside favorites are welcoming guests once again. The Helm Provisions & Coastal Fare (7736 Blind Pass Road) and Ricky T’s Bar & Grille (10601 Gulf Boulevard) have officially reopened, marking a joyful milestone in their recovery. Both establishments faced a challenging road back,…
·
-
St. Pete is in the final phase of repairing its parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and city-owned buildings battered by the consecutive hurricanes of 2024. Mike Jefferis, the city’s Community Enrichment Administrator, reports that the Lake Vista Recreation Center in South St. Pete endured some of the heaviest destruction. A bustling hub, the center has been…
·
-
As Treasure Island continues to rebuild after last year’s devastating hurricanes, both visitors and local businesses are adjusting to the first spring break since the storms. Many tourists anticipated some changes, but they were still taken aback by how much the area has transformed. Meanwhile, business owners are working to recover, hoping for a boost…
·
-
As three new city commissioners take office in Treasure Island Tuesday night, city leaders will decide whether to advance the proposed Terrain Modification Program. The newly elected commissioners—Tammy Vasquez, Chris Clark, and Arthur Czyszczon—join Mayor John Doctor, who secured re-election. City officials describe the Terrain Modification Program as a long-term strategy to address rising sea…
·
-
As spring break kicks off, students and families are flocking to the beaches of Tampa Bay for the next few weeks, with Treasure Island among the destinations eager to receive them. While some local beaches are still bouncing back from the recent hurricane season, Treasure Island is prepared to host guests once again. City officials…
·
-
With spring break in full swing, parking at Treasure Island’s beaches is more challenging than ever. One of the city’s major lots, located at 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard, remains closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, removing 112 crucial spaces from an already limited selection. Visitors like Alice Ingman, visiting from Scotland, and Andrew…
·
-
Treasure Island’s beach is primed for spring break, but the hurricanes’ aftermath lingers. Many hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops remain in shambles, still reeling from storms Helene and Milton. Jason Beisel, a city official, explains that a 10-foot storm surge engulfed the island, leaving no building unscathed. “Recovery isn’t quick—it could take years,” he says.…
·
-
Caddy’s in Treasure Island has reopened after months of closure due to the extensive damage caused by the 2024 hurricanes, which left its main building unusable. Thanks to a recently approved city ordinance, the restaurant has found a new way to operate. “We have just about the same amount of tables that we did outside,…
·
-
This weekend, Treasure Island Beach will welcome visitors for a special event called “Back to the Beach: Sand & Kites & Coastal Delights,” organized in collaboration with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. The event sends a clear message: the beach is open again. It also provides an opportunity for local businesses to highlight their offerings and engage…
·
-
Treasure Island leaders are making strides toward aiding local businesses in hurricane recovery. City officials have unanimously advanced an ordinance designed to support restaurants and bars impacted by recent storms. With beachgoers returning, commissioners acknowledge the need for ample dining and leisure options. Mayor John Doctor emphasized, “Without our hotels, without our restaurants, without the…
·
-
Officials in Treasure Island are requesting additional information as they deliberate on waiving permit fees for residents looking to elevate or demolish homes post-Hurricane Helene. A workshop was convened Tuesday evening where city commissioners instructed City Manager Chuck Anderson to compile data on the number of permits already issued. The next session is set for…
·
-
Treasure Island leaders could take a step forward on Tuesday in supporting business owners still struggling to rebuild months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. City officials plan to discuss a proposal that would allow businesses to apply for “special event permits” to set up tents, temporary bars, food trucks, or trailers for an extended period…
·
-
The City of Treasure Island is set to explore the possibility of waiving additional permit fees for residents rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes. At a workshop scheduled for Tuesday evening, city commissioners will deliberate on the proposal to eliminate permit fees for both elevating existing homes and for new constructions aimed at replacing hurricane-affected properties.…
·
-
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…
·
-
At a special meeting on Feb. 7, Treasure Island commissioners unanimously approved extending a temporary waiver of permit fees for specific storm-related repairs. However, many residents will need to wait for further discussion in a work session and another regular hearing to see if relief will be expanded to include more costly permits for raising…
·
-
Since Hurricane Helene devastated their public safety building, Treasure Island Fire Rescue and the Police Department have been operating out of portable units in City Hall’s parking lot. The storm flooded their facility on 108th Avenue with three feet of water, rendering it unusable. “Our lockers were underwater,” said Police Chief John Barkley. “We had…
·
-
As businesses along the beaches of Treasure Island begin to reopen following the devastating hurricanes, the community is organizing events to draw people back to the area. The “Back to the Beach: Sand & Kites & Coastal Delights” festival has been announced, set for March 8th and 9th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each…
·
-
This week, the City of Treasure Island is diligently working to clear a backlog of approximately 320 permits before transitioning to a new system during the first week of February. To focus on this task, the City’s Community Development Department will be closed to the public on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Currently, over…
·
-
Treasure Island’s recovery from recent hurricanes has stalled, prompting Mayor John Doctor to take a decisive step to expedite the process. In a letter addressed directly to President Donald Trump this week, Mayor Doctor requested disaster relief similar to what North Carolina and California received, citing FEMA’s red tape as a significant hindrance. “I don’t…
·
-
Treasure Island residents are frustrated with the city commission, blaming them for delays in the permitting process. Without permits, residents can’t repair their homes, which were damaged months ago in back-to-back hurricanes. The commission decided to send substantial damage letters to people without permits, using all available data for the permitting process. Residents pointed out…
·
-
As the new year begins, Treasure Island residents continue grappling with challenges left in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Months after the storms, many homeowners are still awaiting permits to repair their damaged properties, while others face an even more frustrating hurdle: inaccurate damage assessments. Residents have raised concerns about substantial discrepancies in…
·
-
Residents of Treasure Island filled a town hall meeting Wednesday night, expressing their frustration over the delays in returning to their homes since Hurricane Helene struck in September. Many attendees voiced their concerns about the slow issuance of substantial damage letters and repair permits. “This is completely unacceptable that 90 days after the hurricanes, we’re…
·