TBT: Photos of St.Pete construction projects
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From the Tampa Bay Times-
"Downtown St. Petersburg seems to have grown a forest of construction cranes in the past few weeks. Several large projects are rising on what were once vacant lots or parking lots. All of the projects, which are in various stages of building, will be rentals and are scheduled for completion later this year or in 2014. Photographer Chris Zuppa took these aerial photos on June 29 to show progress on each."
See more photos of Downtown St.Petersburg construction projects here.
St. Petersburg has a rule that protects our waterfront. If the city wants to lease public waterfront land for longer than a short term, voters decide. That rule is worth keeping, and a "yes" vote on Charter Amendment #2 does not weaken it.
Here is what it changes. Under the City Charter, Port leases are capped at 10 years unless voters approve more in a citywide referendum. Charter Amendment 2 would raise that cap to 25 years, the same limit Albert Whitted Airport has had since 2004, when voters raised it from five years. Giving the Port the same terms as its neighbor is sensible.
Here is what it does not change. The ballot language says the amendment "would not change the permitted use of the Port." It does not approve residential development at the site, and it does not approve any redevelopment of the Port. It changes one number, the maximum lease length. Every lease would still go through the city administration and City Council. The amendment does not hand anyone a blank check. It lets the city negotiate from a stronger position.