By Peter Roos
ST PETE BEACH
Reclaimed Water Schedule
Odd addresses water on Mon., Wed., Friday; even addresses water on Tues., Thurs., Sat. under the city’s new watering cycles, which correspond with the county. The restrictions are designed to conserve reclaimed water, which is in high demand. “The city pays the county for reclaimed by the gallon, so conserving means tax dollars are saved,” said city COO Jennifer McMahon.
Permitting Is Now Online
Parking and building permits can be applied for online or by appointment at city hall. You can schedule an appointment at www.stpetebeach.org/639/Online-Appointment or call 727-367-2735. There are no more stickers for parking. It goes by license plate now. For visitors, you can upload a photo of their plate for a temporary permit.
Sea Grapes Wine Bar, Charcuterie and Real Estate
“Opening Soon” is a familiar sign on beach restaurants. Especially for new food service addresses, the permitting process seems to take a while. This one is a bit unusual. The second office of boutique realtor Barkett Realty, their new location at 6690 Gulf Blvd. is designed to be a meeting place for residents and visitors alike, serving wine, charcuterie, and real estate advice.
The Helm not a Drive Thru
Just when they finally had jumped all the hurdles, dotted all the “I”s and crossed all the “T”s, the Helm at Blind Pass and 78th was driven through by an out of control car, pushing back their opening yet again.
ST PETERSBURG
Tuxedo Court Apartments
City Council approved the development of 150 one-bedroom and 110 two-bedroom apartments 513-1,472 square feet in size, in a 15-story tower with retail on 8th St. S between Charles Ct. and 4th Ave. S. The 1.15-acre site plan includes retail space fronting 8th St. S, next to the Casablanca Towers and across the street from Webb’s Plaza.
A sunken first floor is dedicated to vehicle and bicycle parking, including 460 bike spaces, twice what is required.
A few ground-floor apartments will have private courtyards and direct access to 4th Ave. S.
There are 293 parking spots and 24 residential units in total on the first four floors, topped by an outdoor pool and amenity deck, fitness and “club” rooms, on the fifth floor, plus an outdoor dog walking area, and a roof deck on the sixth. Each floor above parking has 20 units. One of the units on the penthouse floor is reserved for a club room.
Catapult Adventure Park An indoor amusement park featuring inflatable attractions, rock walls, slides, interactive laser and more is building nearby. Catapult Adventure Park signed a 10-year lease at 4460 66th St. N, next to Harbor Freight and across 66th from the vacant K-Mart, which is becoming a Sprouts and a Pottery Barn. One like it but smaller opened in Tarpon Springs Dec. 10. In other news, a 30-acre outdoor surf park is looking for a Tampa Bay location.
TREASURE ISLAND
Bart Corricelli served in the 4th Marine division in WW II. Saipan, Iwo Jima and others. He ran a flame-thrower from a tank and saw the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. Bart’s family is planning a small gathering for him at home Feb. 4th for his 100th birthday. Google his name to read his story. Bart’s housekeeper, Isle of Capri resident Michelle Jackson is organizing a birthday card shower and a surprise parade for him the next day! Michelle wants to give Bart at least 100 birthday cards from strangers and a parade to show him people still appreciate his service, 77 years later. To send Bart a card, write to: Bart Corricelli, P.O. Box 49212, St. Petersburg, Florida 33743
Ikebana Exhibit – Wondrous Wood
This is Ikebana’s 14th year exhibition on Treasure Island & the chapter’s 62nd anniversary. The theme of “Wondrous Wood” will be portrayed by over 50 exciting floral arrangements. There will be flowers complete with containers for sale at the Hana shop & a variety of gifts at the Ginza. The following renowned teachers will demonstrate their distinctive school designs.
DEMONSTRATIONS
SATURDAY—March 5
11:00 am • Susan Thorpe (Ohara), 2:00 pm • Barbara Goss (Sogetsu)
SUNDAY—March 6:
1:00 am • Jeanne Houlton (Ichiyo), 2:00 pm • Dr. Ric Carrasco (Banmi Shofu)
Treasure Island Community Center, parking behind Community Center off 104th Ave.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Our local airport (PIE) reported new air service in 2021 included 11 new destinations (two more in March 2022) for 65 total non-stop destinations! Bentonville, AR; Fargo, ND; Little Rock, AR; Portsmouth NH; Provo, UT; Key West, FL and Wichita, KS; Akron/Canton, OH (3/4/22); Clarksburg / Morgantown, WV (3/11/22)
Canadian airline “Swoop” began service to Toronto Hamilton, Ontario in November.
Sun Country added Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN in November too.Sun Country started a new charter to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spain Atlantic City.
PSTA Autonomous Disappointments and Ferry Hopes
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority lost federal funding for its autonomous vehicle experiment in Clearwater Beach
when US-based Olli builder Local Motors shut down operations in mid-January. Switching to a French-made vehicle means self-funding the balance of the study. In other news, PSTA is attempting to float an effort to centralize Tampa Bay Ferry service under its flag, adding hybrid electric ferries for additional waterborne routes.
Corey McCaster, EDFP, recently joined Pinellas County Economic Development as division director for small business and supplier diversity. Corey has 20 years in small business assistance. As economic development manager with Hillsborough County, he helped small to medium-sized businesses find new market opportunities, hidden profits and innovative ways to create sustainable growth. He provided expert-level business consulting, specializing in small business accounting and finance, quality improvement and strategic business planning. His experience managing his own small businesses and serving at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity allows him to deliver a unique perspective.
Corey Landing’s proposed $90 million mixed-use development on the east end of Corey Ave. is inching closer to breaking ground. St. Pete Beach city commissioners unanimously allocated 150 units from the city’s residential pool, which allows developer Ram Realty Advisors to build 243 luxury residential units. The proposed dock-up restaurant would have 3,500 sq ft of indoor dining space and 1,500 sq. ft. outdoors. In addition to the 243 residential units, the development would include 12,000 square feet of commercial and retail space. The team noted how the property currently takes in $94,000 in tax revenue, but the development would bring in $1.3 million of annual revenue to the city. “A recent traffic study determined the roads can handle the increased activity,” said SPB city manager Alex Rey. Ram Realty Advisors is known for other sophisticated projects, such as the urban infill mixed-use Curv development in Fort Lauderdale which was completed last year. It is on three acres of land and includes an eight-story luxury apartment complex with Whole Foods as the anchor. The team is working with North Carolina-based design consultant Kimley-Horn and Florida-based LRK (Looney Ricks Kiss) Architects.
