March 01, 2022

$1.5 million renovation proposed for Williams Park's historic bandshell in downtown St. Pete

March 01, 2022/ Samantha Flanagan

St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation is seeking nearly $1.5 million to fund upgrades and much-needed renovations to Williams Park’s bandshell in downtown St. Pete, as part of an effort to revitalize and reactivate the historic space.

The park, which sits between 3rd and 4th Street and 1st and 2nd Avenue North, is St Pete’s first. Founded in 1888 and named for the city’s co-founder, John Constantine Williams Sr, it was the historic center of the community for much of St Pete’s early history with its first bandshell constructed in 1895 after a fence was built to keep wandering livestock from entering to graze.

The modern bandshell was designed in 1954 by local architect William Harvard and received both the Award of Merit and Test of Time Award from the American Institute of Architects. More recently, the park has served as the site for the beloved Saturday Morning Market in the summer months and Localtopia, the community’s annual celebration of all things local.

February 17, 2022

11-unit affordable townhome community proposed for south St. Pete

February 17, 2022/ Samantha Flanagan

More affordable housing could be coming soon to south St. Petersburg after the City received an unsolicited offer from Namaste Homes, LLC to acquire and develop a 0.55-acre vacant, City-owned property on the northwest corner of 18th Avenue South and 18th Street South.

Last month, the City received an unsolicited proposal from Green Mills Group, an affordable housing developer, to construct 96 affordable apartments on another City-owned parcel at 18th Avenue South and 21st Street across from Tangerine Plaza. After inviting alternative proposals, four additional groups, including Habitat for Humanity, submitted their vision for the site.

The proposal submitted by Namaste in partnership with Ardent OZF, LLC, a qualified Opportunity Zone Fund, outlines plans for 11 two-story, three-bed, two-and-half bath townhomes to be sold to households earning below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Based on the current Area Median Income, this means a family of three earning less than $79,800 per year would be eligible. For a family of four, that number is $88,550, and for a family of five, $95,760.

February 16, 2022

Habitat for Humanity plans 44-unit affordable townhome project, Pelican Place, in south St. Pete

February 16, 2022/ Anthony Close

In late January, St. Pete Rising reported on a 96-unit affordable apartment building proposed for south St. Pete. The proposal was the result of an unsolicited offer to purchase a 2.1-acre city-owned lot across from Tangerine Plaza on the southwest corner of 18th Avenue South and 21st Street.

Green Mills Group and Advantage Village Academy, Inc. partnered to submit the offer with plans to build a five-story affordable apartment building catering to households earning between 30-80% of the area median income (AMI). The unsolicited offer triggered a request for proposals process that allowed other interested groups to submit proposals for the site. Alternate proposals were due to the city earlier today.

February 15, 2022

Tampa Bay's first bus rapid transit line, SunRunner, to launch later this year

February 15, 2022/ Andy Bragg

The SunRunner Bus Rapid Transit system between Downtown and St. Pete Beach will begin operation late this summer as the first BRT project in Tampa Bay. BRT systems are designed to combine the capacity and speed of a metro with the lower cost and flexibility of a bus system. They have been implemented recently in 26 U.S. cities.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority developed and will operate the $44-million, 10.3-mile route. PSTA is also conducting a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) study, called SunRunner Rising, with consultants Kimley-Horn.

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Public Relations Coordinator Stephanie Rank indicates that PSTA expects to present recommendations to the City of St. Petersburg by April in conjunction with the StPete2050 plan which was published last year. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch was a former PSTA Chairman is knowledgeable about transit system issues.

February 11, 2022

Affordable housing development, Skyway Lofts, opens in the Skyway Marina District

February 11, 2022/ Anthony Close

A 65-unit affordable apartment community is now open in south St. Pete’s growing Skyway Marina District.

Skyway Lofts, located at 3900 34th Street South, is the latest affordable housing development by Blue Sky Communities. The project broke ground in September 2020 and consists of two four-story buildings with 17 one-bedroom units at 650 square feet each and 48 two-bedroom units at 960 square feet.

Of the 65 units, 10 will cater to households making 0-30% of the area median income (AMI) while 42 units will cater to households making up tp 60% of AMI.

February 08, 2022

70s-themed nightclub Good Night John Boy coming to downtown St. Pete

February 08, 2022/ Brian Zucker

Dig through your closet for those old satin shirts, flared pants, and funky glasses. A groovy 70s-theme nightclub is coming soon to downtown St. Pete.

Good Night John Boy will debut at 16 2nd Street North on the Jannus Block, the most popular block for nightlife in downtown St. Pete. The new nightclub will replace Ringside Café, which closed a few weeks ago and is in the process of finding a new home.

The 4,000 square foot Studio 54-style nightclub is being brought to St. Pete by Cleveland-based Forward Hospitality Group, which owns and operates ten restaurant and bar concepts around Ohio. The group launched Good Night John Boy in Cleveland ten months ago.

February 07, 2022

New renderings released for The Residences at Orange Station in St. Pete’s EDGE District

February 07, 2022/ Anthony Close

New details have been revealed for a highly anticipated mixed-use project at 1300 1st Avenue North, the site of the former St Pete Police Department headquarters, in St. Pete’s EDGE District.

The project features an ambitious but thoughtfully designed blend of office, retail, and residential. The residential components include a 42-unit workforce apartment building named The WYE, paying homage to the triangular junction often found in railroads, and a 61-unit luxury condominium building named The Residences at Orange Station.

February 03, 2022

425-unit apartment development with workforce housing approved for St. Pete's Gateway area

February 03, 2022/ Anthony Close

St. Pete’s Development Review Commission unanimously approved a site plan to construct a 425-unit apartment development at the northeast corner of 28th Street and Gandy Boulevard in the Gateway area.

The multifamily project is located on nearly 18 acres of a 93-acre site that is owned by Jabil, Inc., a global manufacturing services company, who once envisioned a massive headquarters campus on the site.

February 02, 2022

Voodoo Brewery opening brewpub in downtown St. Pete this spring

February 02, 2022/ Amy Kochek

Pennsylvania-based Voodoo Brewery Co. will open a brewpub at 220 4th Street North in downtown St. Pete. The building was formerly home to Orange Blossom Catering. Buildout has already begun and a projected opening is slated for April 2022.

As St. Pete’s craft beer scene continues to grow, Voodoo Brewery Co. plans to bring an inviting beer experience that compliments the already thriving local brewing community.

The brewpub will include 15 to 20 taps dedicated to Voodoo beer in addition to a few local guest taps.

February 01, 2022

Reservations for 46-story condo tower at 400 Central Avenue surpass $150 million

February 01, 2022/ Anthony Close

Reservations for the luxury condominiums at The Residences at 400 Central are exceeding expectations in the first 90 days since sales launch.

The 515-foot tower, which is under construction at 400 Central Avenue in downtown St. Pete, has surpassed $150 million in sales. The 46-story tower is expected to become the tallest building on Florida’s Gulf Coast and will contain 301 condominium units ranging from 1,277 to 5,600 square feet.