Connect with us

PSTA committee recommends approval for land swap

During the Wednesday PSTA Finance Committee board meeting, the committee approved recommending PSTA CEO Brad Miller execute a land swap agreement with the City of Clearwater to construct the Clearwater Transit Center project. The land swap agreement entails the city providing PSTA with three parcels located in downtown Clearwater located on Court Street and Myrtle Street in exchange for PSTA's existing Park Street bus terminal site. The new transit center, which is scheduled to be completed in 2025, would have 16 bays (two of which would have electric chargers), an area for ride-hailing companies such as Uber as well as an area for micro-mobility devices such as electric scooters within a LEED-certified building. The entire project will cost $44.5 million, which PSTA would find with state and federal. PSTA is hoping to receive $10 million of local Pinellas County dollars through its reserves, pending approval. The next steps entail Clearwater approving the agreement, PSTA receiving approval for local funding and then closing on the city parcels. 

TPA ranks as the top airport in traveler’s report

Tampa International Airport now holds the No. 1 ranking in J.D. Power’s annual traveler satisfaction study among large airports. The airport scored 846 out of 1,000 possible points, according to the J.D. Power 2022 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, which was released Wednesday. Last year, TPA claimed the No. 2 spot. The survey scores airports based on six factors: terminal facilities; airport arrival and departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in and baggage check; and food, beverage and retail. While TPA came out on top as the best-scoring large airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport scored the highest among mega airports and Indianapolis International Airport scored the highest for medium-size airports. 

USL to open public ‘mini-pitch’ at Rowdies facility

In partnership with Hisense USA, the United Soccer League (USL) announced Tuesday that it would open a mini-pitch at the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ training facility in Tampa. According to the release, the miniature soccer field will be available for open play and local youth organizations. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Nov. 17 at the Rowdies’ new training facility at 8108 Benjamin Road in Tampa. Players, USL executives and local officials will participate, and the event will feature a free youth clinic and giveaways. “We are proud to join the efforts to increase access for local youth by providing training sessions and soccer clinics at the incredible new facility,” said Tampa Bay Rowdies Vice Chairmen Brian Auld in a statement.

Spontivly, Vu selected as Venture Atlanta showcase companies

St. Petersburg-based startup Spontivly and Tampa-based Vu Technologies were chosen among a record-breaking 450-plus applicants ranked as the top technology companies in the Southeast to present at Venture Atlanta FORWARD 2022. For 15 years, the annual conference has been selecting the most promising tech companies and bringing in the top investment firms from across the nation to hear their pitch. The event will take place Oct. 19-20. Venture Atlanta has helped launch more than 700 companies and raise $6.5 billion in funding to date, spinning out $17 billion in successful exits. Spontivly has previously raised funds through Atlanta’s Apex Ventures and has also secured Atlanta Tech Village as a key partner in connecting tech ecosystems in the region. Update: Tampa-based software companies CROOW, an innovative platform that streamlines creative collaboration for projects, and Allison, were also announced as one of the local companies that will be presenting. 

St. Pete Park system nominated for ‘Great Places’ award

The Florida chapter of the American Planning Association named Downtown St. Petersburg’s waterfront park system as one of four finalists for its Great Healthy Place award. According to the website, the finalists “contribute to their greater community’s social, economic and environmental well-being for the long term.” Winners are chosen according to people’s choice, and residents can until Friday, Sept. 23. In addition to St. Pete’s 160-acre waterfront park system, Bayshore Drive in Collier County, Capital Cascades Trail Segment Three in Tallahassee and Thornby Nature Park in Deltona were chosen as finalists. To vote, visit the website here.  

USF joins forces with MacDill Air Force Base

University of South Florida officials announced a partnership with MacDill Air Force base Monday, with the overall goal of enhancing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. According to the release, students will now have access to new opportunities, such as internships, research projects, guest speakers and mentors. MacDill will also provide educational opportunities previously unavailable to USF faculty, students and staff. “This partnership is exactly the type of collaboration we need to maintain superiority over near-peer adversaries around the globe,” said Col. Adam Bingham, Commander of the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

St. Pete’s Independent Bar to close

The Independent Bar at 1049 Central Ave. will permanently close on Oct. 2. "This amazing place will forever have a place in our hearts, and we will always appreciate the community that has supported us these past six years," the owners wrote on a Facebook post. The Independent Bar first opened in April 2005 and moved to its current location in October 2016, becoming a staple in the Edge District and St. Pete’s craft beer scene. "Our last two weeks will be full of love, live music and celebration," the Facebook post continued to read. The restaurant will continue its Oktoberfest celebration, which kicked off Sunday. On Oct. 2, the last day it will be open, the restaurant will have its jazz event featuring James Suggs, Sandi Grecco and Mark Moultrup. 

Jobsite Theater puts its ‘Picasso’ on hold

Following a sold-out opening weekend, Jobsite Theater has "paused" its production of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile due to an illness in the cast. All shows through Sept. 25 have been canceled, and Picasso at the Lapine Agile is scheduled to resume performances Sept. 28. The run has been extended to allow coverage of the missed dates. Visit or call the Straz Center box office for full details.

Florida Poly launches first-of-its-kind coding program

Lakeland-based Florida Polytechnic University is offering the country’s first data analytics certificate for freshmen to begin preparing them to meet the ongoing high-tech worker shortage. It's an 18-credit program that begins after high school graduation and allows the student to also earn college credit that can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree, according to the university's Monday announcement. Students are admitted to the program after careful review of their full application and academic portfolio. “While students at many colleges often take two years of general education courses before earning technical certifications, students admitted to Florida Poly’s coding certificate program and a degree program have immediate access to courses that are industry relevant and can be part of their major,” Ben Matthew Corpus, vice provost for enrollment management at Florida Poly, said in a news release. 

WalletHub ranks Tampa Bay third for highest inflation

According to Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, the nation’s inflation rate remained historically high in August at 8.3%. Using that data, the personal finance site WalletHub analyzed 23 of the largest U.S. metro areas and scored them on a scale of 100, with 100 being the highest inflation rate. The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area ranked third, at 84.16. Phoenix came in first at 92.11, and Atlanta placed second at 87.59. The top-six cities with the highest inflation are all located in the nation’s Sun Belt, and many were pandemic-era migration hotspots.

Rays’ all-Latino lineup makes history, wins big

The Tampa Bay Rays made MLB history Thursday night with its all-Latino starting lineup. The unique batting order coincided with Roberto Clemente Day, and all nine players sported the Puerto Rican native’s number 21 in tribute. The starting lineup featured Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena from Cuba; Wander Franco, Manuel Margot and Jose Siri from the Dominican Republic; Harold Ramirez from Columbia; David Peralta and Rene Pinto from Venezuela; and Isaac Paredes from Mexico. MLB celebrates Roberto Clemente Day annually. However, the organization typically limits who can wear the number 21 on that day. The Rays would go on to demolish the Toronto Blue Jays 11-0 Thursday.

St. Pete wine shop receives national recognition

Wine Enthusiast magazine recently named St. Petersburg’s CellarMasters as one of the best wine shops in the nation. The local spot for bottles of vino was the first listed in the Southern region. The article states that reporters from Wine Enthusiast “spoke to wine, drink and food industry pros to find the local retailers that prove there’s more to wine shops than bottles on the shelf.” CellarMasters is located a 1005 1st Ave. N. in St. Petersburg. View the full list here.

The St. Pete Catalyst

The Catalyst honors its name by aggregating & curating the sparks that propel the St Pete engine.  It is a modern news platform, powered by community sourced content and augmented with directed coverage.  Bring your news, your perspective and your spark to the St Pete Catalyst and take your seat at the table.

Email us: spark@stpetecatalyst.com

Subscribe for Free