City staff presented a bid from Miller Electric for $2.3 million, about $400,000 less than previous estimates. The company is also offering a 25-year-warranty on the panels.

The panels would be paid off with reduced energy costs after 27 years, about six years faster than previous estimates.

Many ports work to attract cruise ships or to become a gateway for trade, but Port St. Pete in Florida is positioning itself for a much different role. With a $5 million newly renovated wharf, it is working to become an international marine research port.

"With its existing facilities and recent upgrades, as well as the presence of many governmental, institutional and academic agencies engaged in maritime research, the Port is strategically positioned to serve as an international research port, functioning as a counterpart to the vital role played by Woods Hole and Scripps at La Jolla," says Walter Miller, Marina and Port Manager at City of St. Petersburg.

As the Cross Bay Ferry service winds down in its final four days, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman continues to make the case for permanent service.

During a presentation to City Council Thursday, Kriseman touted the six-month pilot service that began in November as a success. The ferry connects riders between downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa.

Climate resilience-the capacity of a community to fortify itself against the incremental impacts of climate change and bounce back stronger after catastrophic weather events-has become a top priority for public officials such as Rick Kriseman, mayor of St. Petersburg. Last year, ULI Tampa Bay partnered with the city of St. Petersburg to provide recommendations for how the city can become more resilient not just for those who can afford to rebuild their homes and businesses, but for all residents, including the roughly 17 percent who live below the poverty line. ULI Tampa Bay was tasked with convening expertise across the Institute's member networks to address climate resilience through the lens of social equity and economic opportunity.

Now, a big question looms: will the Cross Bay Ferry resume next season?

It started in November and links the Bay area's two largest cities.

People took the ferry between the cities to shop, dine and attend Tampa Bay Rays games.

Rick Kriseman had always been interested in environmentalism and green living, even before he held public office. As a state representative from the district of St. Petersburg, Florida, he served as the ranking democrat on the committee on energy and utilities, and on the environment and natural resources. "I learned a whole lot more about sustainability," he says, "and about how to pursue a renewable energy portfolio standard for the state-even looking at the impacts of plastic bags in the gulf."

When his house burned down in 2008 because of an electrical fire in the attic, he had an opportunity to bring what he learned about sustainable living, literally, back home. He and his wife rebuilt their house so that it was LEED-certified. That got him thinking about other ways people can do their part to live sustainably.