City plans $51 million expansion of Enoch D. Davis Center and Johnson Library in south St. Pete
/The City of St. Petersburg is preparing to embark on a $51 million project to reimagine the Enoch D. Davis Center and James Weldon Johnson Community Library in south St. Pete.
The city is seeking a qualified construction manager to oversee the creation of a new 53,000-square-foot shared facility at 1111 18th Avenue South.
The request for qualifications (RFQ) was advertised on August 18, with proposals due by September 25.
The 18,000-square-foot Enoch D. Davis Center, opened in 1981, currently offers human services, multipurpose halls, a fitness center, and other amenities.
Next door, the 14,000-square-foot James Weldon Johnson Community Library provides study and reading areas, a makerspace with tech equipment, and upgraded computer programs. Originally housed within the Davis Center, the library relocated to its current site in 2002.
Read More

Two years after Hurricane Helene devastated Willy’s Burgers & Booze, the St. Pete Beach watering hole is preparing for a comeback.
The open-air bar and restaurant at 645 Corey Avenue announced recently that construction is beginning following a lengthy permitting process.
A reopening date has not been announced.
“The road back has been anything but easy,” the business shared on Facebook. “We have spent the past 14 months working through the permitting process, navigating delays and obstacles, and doing everything we can to make this day possible.”
“There have been times when the process felt overwhelming, but we have never lost sight of what Willy’s means to so many people,” the post continued.
Known for its burgers, affordable drinks, and laid-back, beachy atmosphere, Willy’s has been closed since the hurricanes of late 2024.