In addition to the housing market improving, city officials said they offer several programs to ease the burden on buyers considering taking on a blighted home and hopefully entice them.

"We've been selling a lot more, and it's neighborhoods like this right now that are seeing a little bit of revitalization," said realtor Ed Inglesby, who specializes in homes in Childs Park.

According to city officials, the number has dropped 70 percent, from 188 vacant homes in 2014 to just 40 this year 

Last week when President Donald Trump decided to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord his now famous line was "I am the president of Pittsburgh, not Paris." He was doing what he does best and that was appealing to his base but there are plenty of mayors and other elected officials who disagree with the idea of dropping out of the climate deal.

Locally the there are two big city mayors who now stand firmly against the White House on the issue of the Paris Climate Accord. Tampa and St. Petersburg are governed by two mayors who are in the Paris Climate Accord camp.

Using a rain sensor in conjunction with your irrigation system is not only required across Florida, but it can also mean big savings for homeowners.  

The open house is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday (June 13) at Campbell Park Recreation Center, 601 14th St. S. City staff and members of the project design team will be available to discuss the project and answer questions from citizens. Work on the project is expected to be completed next spring.

An effort is underway to bring in a world renowned artist to design a signature sculpture for the pier.

Janet Echelman grew up in the Bay Area, her mom still lives in St. Pete, and she's been tapped by Mayor Rick Kriseman and the Arts Committee to design one of her magnificent rope hanging sculptures for St. Pete's new pier.

The city of St. Petersburg is moving forward with the second phase of a study to determine whether the new pier is a good place for an aerial sculpture and if the city can afford it.

City planners want to include a Janet Echelman sculpture at either the pier or the north end of Spa Beach as a public art installation to complement what St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman hopes will be a world-class destination that attracts visitors from across the globe.

Mayor Rick Kriseman's administration announced the news, which is expected to create up to 650 jobs, at the City Council's June 1 meeting, during a newly launched "Good News" segment at the beginning of the council session.