HKS presented their final conceptual master plan for the redevelopment of Tropicana Field to the public on October 20th. Based on extensive community input, the plan features a research and tech campus, entertainment, housing, retail, office, hotel/conference space, and connectivity to an expanded Campbell Park. The plan also moves the Rays stadium from the southwest corner of the parcel to the northeast corner, closer to the downtown core. Overall, the plan has a 40/60 mix of public space/private development on the site.

A copy of the presentation with more details of the concept can be viewed here.

The City of St. Petersburg invites developers, end-users and interested parties to submit a plan to lease and operate a restaurant and event venue or catering business at the Manhattan Casino, located at 642 22nd Street South.  The city will consider reasonable supporting uses or alternatives uses for retail use under a lease agreement with the city. 

 

The deadline to submit a proposal is December 15th by 1 pm.  Additional information and copies of the RFP are available online at  www.stpete.org/realestate  under "Requests for Proposal / Solicitations."  For information on the Manhattan Casino RFP, contact David Dickerson, Real Estate & Property Management, 727-893-7187. 

During this interim period while the city seeks a restaurant to fill the void left by Sylvia's closing, the city has the opportunity to utilize and program the second floor space. In order to honor the Manhattan Casino's rich, vibrant history and ensure it remains a lively gathering space, the city will soon be accepting private event reservations.  If interested in renting the facility for an event, contact Lauren Kleinfeld at 727-892-5708 or [email protected].

The city's Coast Bike Share program began installing hubs last week and opens with a soft launch today! Currently there are 100 bikes at 10 hub locations around downtown, including one at the Cross-Bay Ferry Terminal. With a single membership, bikes are available to you at both ends of your ferry journey.  Shortly after New Year, 300 blue, city-owned bikes will be spread across 30 hub locations downtown and in the surrounding neighborhoods.  Visit CoastStPete.com to follow the program's progress, sign up to ride, and find hub locations. 

The new ferry service starts this month! Community and business organizations are invited to "test the waters" November 4-18 for pre-scheduled trips. During Thanksgiving week, the public can test the ferry for free! View the schedule, rates, and ferry info on the new Cross-Bay Ferry website.

Residents can receive a free roundtrip commuter ticket for participating in an online survey designed to help HMS better understand our community's needs a preferences. Take the survey here.

The 6th Annual BLUE Ocean Film Festival is returning November 10-13. Every two years, BLUE brings together top filmmakers, photographers, scientists, and marine stewards from around the world to St. Petersburg. The event showcases the best in ocean filmmaking and leads critical discussions about issues impacting our world's waters. 

This year's speakers and awardees include Brooke Runnette of the National Geographic, James Honeyborne, director of many award-winning BBC wildlife documentaries, and Nainoa Thompson, President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with BLUE through film screenings, panels, workshops, and keynote sessions. Events will be held at various locations including Sundial Muvico, the Mahaffey Theater, and the Palladium Theater.

Learn more about BLUE Ocean and view the event schedule here.

The six-story Bainbridge 930 Central Flats will bring 218 new studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments to Central Avenue in the EDGE District. Expected to be completed in Spring 2018, the $35 million project includes over 3,500 SF of retail and a 258-space parking garage.

"We like to target millennials and young professionals, and they have a tendency nowadays to want to live in locations where they can just walk out their door and go to all of the entertainment venues," says Bob Thollander, vice president of development for Florida, Bainbridge Companies.

The Annual Disability Employment Awareness Celebration hosted by the State agency Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation was held at the downtown St. Petersburg Hilton on Friday, October 21st. Mayor Kriseman and Councilmember Wheeler-Bowman both spoke at the event.

The 2016 business honorees included Sacino's Formalwear & Cleaners and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital which are located in St. Petersburg, as well as the Crown Automotive Group, Dunbar Armored and AMC Theatres. PlacementWorks, a non-profit organization located in downtown St. Petersburg, provides job placement and support services for individuals with disabilities, and was instrumental in the event by placing several employees with the honored employers.

Come downtown to Central Ave and 5th Street November 19-20 to experience the annual CraftArt Festival. Enjoy some of the nation's best established and emerging fine craft arts with works in jewelry, clay, fiber, glass, wood, metal, paper, and mixed media.