Mayor Welch unveils $1.1 billion budget focused on housing, public works, and safer neighborhoods

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Mayor Welch unveils $1.1 billion budget focused on housing, public works, and safer neighborhoods

Mayor Ken Welch has released his recommended Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget for the City of St. Petersburg, a $967 million spending plan focused on affordable housing, infrastructure resilience, equitable development, and neighborhood health and safety.

The Capital Improvement Plan, which is funded through the city’s budget, includes an additional $202 million in funding for projects ranging from road resurfacing and wastewater treatment upgrades to municipal facility improvements.

The city’s total operating budget plus the proposed Capital Improvement Plan totals over $1.1 billion in spending for FY26.

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City presents new vision and redevelopment concepts for Port of St. Petersburg

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City presents new vision and redevelopment concepts for Port of St. Petersburg

For the first time in over two decades, the City of St. Petersburg is updating its master plan for the Port of St. Petersburg — a city-owned, 4.4-acre waterfront site just south of downtown.

Situated within the Innovation District and surrounded by key institutions like the University of South Florida to the west, Albert Whitted Airport to the north, and the U.S. Coast Guard to the east, the Port is seen as a uniquely positioned but underutilized asset.

In 1999, St. Pete City Council unanimously approved a $14.8 million plan to turn the site into a cruise ship port and an educational attraction called “Port Discovery.” But the project was ultimately scrapped after engineers later estimated the cost could exceed $72 million.

Now, the city is once again considering redevelopment options.

On June 25th, city officials and consultants from Moffatt & Nichol hosted a public meeting at The Coliseum to present three preliminary development scenarios and gather input from residents, business owners, and other stakeholders.

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381-unit Live Local Act development with workforce housing proposed in north St. Pete

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381-unit Live Local Act development with workforce housing proposed in north St. Pete

A major new affordable housing development could soon rise in north St. Petersburg. Atlanta-based real estate developer Wood Partners is proposing a 381-unit multifamily apartment complex at 11101 Roosevelt Boulevard North.

The five-story building, named Alta Roosevelt, is being reviewed under Florida’s Live Local Act, a 2023 state law designed to incentivize the construction of affordable and workforce housing.

The law allows residential developments to override local zoning restrictions such as height, density, and land use if at least 40 percent of units are set aside for households earning up to 120 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and those units remain affordable for at least 30 years.

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Aerial St. Pete: A bird’s-eye view of St. Pete’s development boom

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Aerial St. Pete: A bird’s-eye view of St. Pete’s development boom

The latest edition of Aerial St. Pete highlights the progress of six major real estate projects currently under construction in St. Petersburg.

Aerial St. Pete is a recurring column by St. Pete Rising that features exclusive aerial photography documenting the city’s rapid development. To capture these images, we’ve partnered with AB3 Visuals.

This month’s update showcases construction progress at the Residences at 400 Central, Art House, 3rd & 3rd, Echelon Site 7 & 8, Sky Town, and Viv Apartments.

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Foxtail Coffee Co. to open at Liberty Yards in downtown Largo

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Foxtail Coffee Co. to open at Liberty Yards in downtown Largo

Foxtail Coffee Co. will soon bring its signature craft coffee and cozy aesthetic to downtown Largo, becoming the first tenant announced for Liberty Yards, a modern two-story retail and restaurant development set to rise at the southwest corner of 4th Street Southwest and West Bay Drive.

Atlanta-based real estate investment firm The Ardent Companies, which acquired the site last year for $1.85 million from The Liberty Worship Center across the street, is behind the 11,175-square-foot project.

The development’s name, Liberty Yards, pays homage to the church and reflects Ardent’s intention to create a community-focused destination.

The Winter Park-based brand has expanded rapidly since launching in 2016 and now operates 88 locations across Florida and several other states. The coffee chain currently operates two other Pinellas County locations at 730 4th Street in St. Petersburg and 13501 Icot Boulevard in Clearwater.

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Massive 31-story, twin-tower development approved for downtown St. Pete

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Massive 31-story, twin-tower development approved for downtown St. Pete

The City of St. Petersburg has officially approved plans for one of downtown’s largest-ever residential projects, a transformative $225 million development featuring two 31-story towers at the former headquarters of UPC Insurance.

First reported by St. Pete Rising earlier this year, the project at 800 2nd Avenue South is being led by local developer Echelon, LLC and Tampa-based investment advisory firm Third Lake Partners.

Now greenlit by the City, the development will move forward with site plan approvals, setting the stage for construction to begin as early as the first quarter of 2026.

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Fitness retailer Fit2Run to launch new lifestyle concept 6Laps, debut new Central Avenue stores in May

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Fitness retailer Fit2Run to launch new lifestyle concept 6Laps, debut new Central Avenue stores in May

Fit2Run, the beloved Florida-based running retailer, is taking a major step forward in downtown St. Pete. This May, the brand will open two side-by-side retail stores at 801 Central Avenue—an upgraded Fit2Run store and the launch of a brand-new lifestyle concept, 6Laps.

The dual-storefront, spanning a combined 6,643 square feet, represents a new era for the company, which has been serving runners since 2006. Fit2Run will occupy the majority of the space with a 5,143-square-foot location, while 6Laps will take over a smaller, 1,500-square-foot footprint next door.

Though connected by a revolving door, the two stores will operate independently with distinct identities, aesthetics, and product lines.

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Inside Elliott Aster, The Vinoy’s new signature restaurant opening mid-May

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Inside Elliott Aster, The Vinoy’s new signature restaurant opening mid-May

The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, a landmark on downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront, is set to unveil its new signature restaurant, Elliott Aster, in mid-May. This opening marks the completion of the first phase of an extensive renovation of the historic hotel.

Located at 501 5th Avenue Northeast, The Vinoy has been a defining feature of downtown St. Petersburg since its construction in 1925. Owned by Bryan and Shanna Glazer—who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—the hotel has undergone a comprehensive renovation aimed at modernizing its amenities while preserving its historic charm.

The Glazers purchased the property for $188.5 million in 2018 and embarked on a transformation that included updates to the hotel’s veranda, porte-cochère, lobby, guest rooms, spa, and restaurants. Additionally, The Vinoy was rebranded as part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

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Habitat for Humanity moves forward on two affordable housing projects in Pinellas County

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Habitat for Humanity moves forward on two affordable housing projects in Pinellas County

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners has approved $3 million in funding to support two significant affordable housing projects by Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside.

These developments—located in Clearwater and Lealman—will provide more than 80 new homes for families in need, advancing the county's commitment to affordable housing solutions.

In Lealman, a 5.94-acre parcel of underused land will be developed into a vibrant residential community. Habitat has secured approval to acquire the land from the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County (HFA). The plans include 57 new affordable housing units, featuring a mix of 31 single-family homes and 26 townhomes. The county will contribute $2.29 million in funding, supporting the $10.13 million project.

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Home of the Week: A 1925-built bungalow in Campbell Park near downtown

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Home of the Week: A 1925-built bungalow in Campbell Park near downtown

This week’s featured Home of the Week is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom bungalow at 951 9th Avenue South in Campbell Park.

Built in 1925, the 1,486-square-foot home retains much of its historic character while incorporating modern updates.

The home features original hardwood floors, vintage pushbutton light switches, and period-style fixtures. The kitchen has been updated with shaker-style cabinetry, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances, including a flat-top stove with a pot filler.

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