May 15, 2018

St. Pete’s Coast Bike Share Gains Momentum In Year Two

May 15, 2018/ Anthony Close

In 2015, St. Pete had a vision to bring bike share to downtown and nearly two years later, in February 2017, a blue fleet of 300 bikes launched at over 30 stations. But seeing bike share come to fruition was no easy feat. It took months of outreach and hours of public input to develop a system that was right for St. Pete.

Now, with one year of service under its belt, Coast is moving full steam ahead, and is using data from its first year of operations to improve and better serve the community. Last week, Coast presented its One Year Report to City Council and revealed some of the numbers behind the operation.

April 24, 2018

St. Pete Developer Becomes Florida’s First Real Estate Development B Corp

April 24, 2018/ Anthony Close

Real estate developers are often criticized for not respecting the fabric of existing communities and for being too profit-driven. It is these issues, among others, that often lead to neighborhood groups and residents opposing new development, particularly when a project is being proposed by an out-of-town developer.

But one local developer hopes to change these notions by giving back to the community and encouraging other businesses to do the same. Salt Palm Development, located at 3446 1st Avenue North in St. Pete, was recently certified as the first B Corp real estate development company in the southeastern United States.

April 12, 2018

Key West Taco Joint to Debut on the 600 Block

April 12, 2018/ Brian Zucker

The 600 block of Downtown St. Pete continues its transformation into a foodie destination. Amigos Tortilla Bar, a Mexican restaurant that bills itself as the “Home of the Square Taco” will occupy two parcels located at 681 Central Avenue that have sat vacant for nearly a year and a half.

Owners Jack Anderson, Jesse Anderson and Eric Sindone opened up the only other Amigos location in Key West in 2010. The trio had always wanted to expand, but decided to patiently wait for the right opportunity. That opportunity presented itself when former Amigo's manager, Samuel Haverl, moved to St. Pete three years ago. Haverl will share ownership in the St. Pete location.

“We’re all very excited to see what’s happening in this city and are very much looking forward to being a part of it,” says Haverl. The St. Pete location will only serve lunch and dinner at first, but breakfast may be offered down the road.

March 27, 2018

Overflow Brewing Company Tapped for Downtown St. Pete

March 27, 2018/ Brian Zucker

There is about to be more beer brewing in the Burg! Troy Bledsoe, local homebrew legend and former Head Brewer at Rapp Brewing, has teamed up with Ryan Sarno and Jessica Holder to bring Overflow Brewing Company to Downtown St. Pete this April.

The tasting room and brewery will be housed in a converted 2,800 square foot office building located at 770 1st Avenue North. A huge bar has been built in the middle of the room, with a sports corner on one side and a lounge area on the other. Outdoor seating will also be available. Jessica Holder, the tasting room manager, explains, “We want Overflow Brewing to feel like home, for people to walk in and feel that moment of zen.”

Located less than one block off of Central Avenue, directly behind the Morean Arts Center, Overflow Brewing will make it even easier to brewery hop in Downtown St. Pete. The new digs will be less than half a mile from St Pete Brewing Company, Cycle Brewing, and Green Bench Brewing Company.

March 19, 2018

A Vision Emerges for 400 Central Avenue

March 19, 2018/ Brian Zucker

This article has been updated to clarify details unknown at date of original posting.

In the heart of Downtown St. Pete at 400 Central Avenue, a 2-acre plot of land sits ready for development. Historically, this site was home to the Pheil Hotel and Central National Bank building which spurred commerce along Central Avenue in the 1950s. In the 1960s, an aluminum facade was added to the buildings which prompted locals to refer to it as the “cheese grater” building. By 2006, the complex was abandoned and remained that way for over a decade.

Then in 2016, the site was put up for sale and in July of that year, it was announced that John Catsimatidis, a Greek-American businessman from New York City with deep family ties to St. Petersburg, would purchase the entire city block at 400 Central Avenue for redevelopment. Among Mr. Catsimatidis’ businesses is the Red Apple Group, a real estate company.