EoS Fitness will open its first Pinellas County location in the Skyway Marina District in 2026. It will occupy 38,000 square feet in the Seville Shops plaza at 2830 54th Avenue S. The gym's Skyway opening is one of 11 new Florida locations, adding to 13 existing ones. EoS competes in the low cost, high value business model space with monthly membership fees ranging from $9.99 to $29.99.
The City of St. Petersburg has agreed to a five-year funding agreement with the University of South Florida College of Marine to support the Clam Bayou Marine Education Center. The city’s annual $100,000 contribution will bolster education initiatives and provide students and educators with hands-on learning opportunities that foster environmental stewardship, career development and scientific proficiency. Mayor Ken Welch said the partnership will ensure equitable access to transformative experiences that help youth address environmental challenges.
St. Petersburg City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard announced Friday that state officials have launched the much anticipated Elevate Florida program. The Florida Department of Emergency Management initiative will cover 75-100% of the cost to demolish, elevate and storm-harden homes. The program will also help pay for relocation expenses during construction. For more information, visit the website here.
The St. Petersburg Science Festival and MarineQuest events return to the Innovation District’s waterfront Saturday with interactive and immersive exhibits. The joint festival runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and outside the neighboring Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Participating organizations will provide over 150 exhibits at the free events. For more information, visit the website here.
Two Pinellas educators won awards from Magnet Schools of America, an association that includes more than 1,400+ magnet school teachers, principals and administrators from all over the country.
Shannon Brennan of Mildred Helms Elementary IB World School was named Region III Principal of the Year, and Pamela A. Richardson of Sandy Lane Elementary Conservatory for the Arts was named Region III Teacher of the Year.
Tampa Bay’s first Japanese-style claw machine arcade will debut Friday at 245 107th Ave. in Treasure Island. The 2,000-square-foot location will feature at least 40 games with increased odds of winning and better prize selections than traditional claw machines. Atomic Claw Arcade will open from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
St. Petersburg College will showcase local small businesses and waive $40 college application fees at an upcoming, free event. SPC’s Midtown Vendor Fair runs from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1300 22nd St. S. The event, held at the SPC Midtown Campus, will feature food trucks, financial aid representatives and health and wellness, crafts, clothing and beauty product vendors.
Mayor Ken Welch announced Tuesday at his State of the City address that St. Petersburg has established an internal artificial intelligence (AI) policy development team. He said the department would ensure AI technologies are “utilized responsibly citywide.” Welch added that the city would work with innovative companies, like Ark Invest, to improve processes and enhance services.
The James Beard Foundation has announced that Chef Lee Wolen, who will helm The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club’s new restaurant, Elliot Aster, is a semifinalist for its prestigious Outstanding Chef Award. The organization will announce finalists April 2, and the winners in June. Wolen, known for his contributions to Chicago’s culinary scene, will soon open Elliot Aster with the Michelin-starred Boka Restaurant Group.
The YMCA and GS Blake Owner, LLC, closed on the sale of 4.5 acres of the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA Jan. 30. The plan for redevelopment of the property includes a mixed-use residential and retail development. The sale will provide the proceeds needed to modernize the Jim & Heather Gills YMCA.
Detective Michael Piacenza of the Pinellas Park Police Dept. has been recognized as one of the top 100 forensic examiners in the nation by the United States Secret Service National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI), an organization that instructs state and local officials in network intrusion response, digital evidence and cybercrime investigations.
Out of 3,800 examiners nationwide, Detective Piacenza ranked 94th.
St. Petersburg-based Jabil, a global electronics manufacturer, has acquired Pharmaceutics International Inc. for an undisclosed sum. The Hunt Valley, Maryland-based pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company will support Jabil’s injectable drug delivery system production. Pharmaceutics International employs 300 people and operates 360,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
