Tampa mayor Jane Castor recently expressed her excitement for a new Riverwalk on the Hillsborough River's western banks, opposite the original. Preliminary plans by the developer, the Related Group, call for three new residential towers with nearly 1,000 housing units and retail space. The Related Group has dubbed the development the Riverwalk District, and officials expect to break ground in Spring 2024.
Recently enacted state legislation forced the St. Petersburg City Council to approve repealing the local Tenant Bill of Rights at the Aug. 3 meeting. However, City Councilmember Richie Floyd is working to reestablish income discrimination aspects of the municipal ordinance. House Bill 1417 became law July 1 and preempts local regulation of landlord-tenant relationships.
Fortu, an elevated pan-Asian steakhouse concept created by Shan Bakrac, the Pone de Leon hotel owner’s son, will open in the former Ceviche space next month. Bakrac also runs Top Slice Pizzeria and Black Cattle Burger in St. Petersburg. He has started the hiring process for the restaurant, according to an Instagram post.
Aubri Shauger-Haley, the SBDC small business manager at Pinellas County Economic Development, has received the Laura Subel Lifetime Government Contracting Achievement Award, according to an announcement this week. The award recognizes her work for helping small businesses obtain more than $50 million in contracts. Yolanda Cowart, the Florida SBDC at PCED, was a previous awardee in 2022.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is again warning residents of a “popular” phone scam involving people claiming to be officers. The suspects also spoof their number to mimic the agency's Civil Court Services and main line. A victim recently purchased and transferred over $12,500 in gift cards to resolve non-existent civil violations and a warrant.
The Saturday Shoppes is hosting its third annual BBQ and Seafood Festival event at Tropicana Field Saturday from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. in Lot 4. Organizers will also give away 2,500 backpacks stocked with school supplies to youth and families. In addition, the event will feature bounce houses and face painting for children.
The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is now accepting applications for its Bay Mini-Grant initiative. The competitive cash awards fund community-led environmental restoration and education projects throughout the region. The deadline to apply for up to $5,000 is Sept. 15, and for more information, visit the website here.
Retailer Chillum, which claims to be the first legal mushroom dispensary in U.S, is opening its second local store across the street from the Imagine Museum in St. Pete. The hemp and mushroom dispensary has an existing location in Ybor City. The store owners will host a grand opening event Aug. 18 at 1916 Central Ave.
An 11,586-square-foot Clearwater estate is on the market for $14 million. The five-bedroom estate at 837 Harbor Island, built in 2015, has a state-of-the-art wine cellar, a gym, a screening room and an elevator leading to a rooftop entertainment area outfitted with a firepit, a grill and a wet bar overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Jeff Shelton with Compass Realty is the listing agent.
According to a new Florida Atlantic University study, Tampa Bay places third among the nation’s “most overvalued and steadily rising metro areas.” The study states that area buyers pay a 42.56% premium on homes. Only the Atlanta and Detroit metro areas placed higher in the U.S., and Tampa Bay paced the state for people overpaying for homes.
Turner Construction has partnered with Bayfront Health St. Petersburg to host its School of Construction Management program. The four-week course begins Sept. 26 and supports local small business owners interested in growing their construction companies. Hospital officials competitively selected Turner Construction to oversee its latest projects, the Bayfront Health Women’s Pavilion and Medical Pavilion at Institute Square. To register, visit the website here.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Rays, will host a PACT Act VetFest event Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tropicana Field. The event educates and informs veterans about the PACT Act and provides onsite services, including VA health care enrollment, toxic exposure screenings, VA claims assistance, women’s health, mental health and more.
