July 28, 2023

Controversial apartment project with affordable housing approved for west St. Pete

July 28, 2023/ Anthony Close

A massive multifamily development proposed for a 29-acre vacant parcel previously occupied by defense contractor Raytheon is moving forward after being approved by St. Petersburg City Council unanimously.

Last week, City Council hosted a public hearing to review a site plan to construct eleven four-story buildings with up to 1,058 units. The plans were filed by Azalea Porter Land LLC, an entity by Porter Development, who hopes to build a garden-style multifamily development on the site.

The parcel is located at 1501 72nd Street North and fronts 22nd Avenue North. The site was purchased by Raytheon in 1995 but never fully developed because of pollution issues that led to legal action. The company embarked on a lengthy environmental cleanup process in 2008 and sold the property, which neighbors Azalea Park, in 2015.

July 26, 2023

42-story condo tower Art House completes foundation pour in downtown St. Pete

July 26, 2023/ Brian Hartz

A major construction milestone has been reached on Art House, a 42-story condominium tower under construction in downtown St. Petersburg.

General contractor Coastal Construction has announced the completion of the foundation pour for the building, which is in under construction at 235 1st Avenue South.

Art House is being developed by Delray Beach-based Kolter Group, the developer behind ONE St. Petersburg and Saltaire.

July 26, 2023

Country bar Ride ‘em Cowboy coming to the Grand Central District

July 26, 2023/ Brian Zucker

If you’ve found yourself two-steppin’ to Luke Combs in your bedroom or consider yourself a rhinestone cowboy – or cowgirl – a new Grand Central District country bar will be right up your alley.

Ride ‘em Cowboy is coming soon to 2451 Central Avenue, a 3,420-square-foot space formerly home to Mixers at Old Key West Bar & Grill, which closed its doors on June 26th.

Ownership is keeping details close to the vest, but according to a recent job posting on Facebook, Ride ‘em Cowboy will feature live country music artists and country EDM DJs. Line cooks are also being hired, which suggests the bar will also serve food.

July 25, 2023

EMOTO electric motorbike dealership cruises into EDGE District

July 25, 2023/ Brian Hartz

The Swedish-made, zero-emission, street-legal CAKE Electric Motorbikes brand will soon be available in St. Petersburg thanks to this week’s opening of EMOTO Electric Motorbikes at 1104 Central Avenue in the EDGE District.

According to a news release, EMOTO is the authorized CAKE dealership for the Tampa Bay region. The CAKE line of electric motorbikes includes off-road models, versatile utility bikes, urban commuter bikes, and highly efficient, ultra-light rides.

“I lived in Hyde Park at the time, and wanted an electric vehicle that I get could around with that was a little more stylish than what was currently available,” said Michael Joyce EMOTO Electric Motorbikes Managing Partner in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

July 25, 2023

YMCA to sell Harbordale location, expand preschool facility in South St. Pete

July 25, 2023/ Brian Hartz

YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg announced on Monday that it intends to sell the 0.4-acre Harbordale YMCA, located at 2421 4th Street South, and use the proceeds to fund an expansion of its Speer YMCA Preschool Academy in South St. Pete, to offer infant and toddler care, at 2100 26th Avenue South.

The Harbordale YMCA closed in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and never reopened as its services were redirected to other local YMCA locations.

The organization’s board of directors, in a press release, said the decision supports its long-term, ongoing goal of providing additional accredited early childhood education in the St. Pete area. Between 2015 and 2019, the organization opened the Bardmoor YMCA Preschool Academy, the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy, and the Lealman YMCA Preschool Academy.