By Peter Roos
Florida awarded St. Petersburg College (SPC) over $3 million for workforce education. SPC, which recently celebrated its 95th anniversary, offers various workforce educational opportunities, including certificates in sales and marketing, health care, manufacturing, technology, and others.
Some employers are still searching for labor post-pandemic, making the efficient use of public funds for workforce programs especially vital. Wages are rising in part due to the tight labor market, but inflation is eating into that income. Median real wages have declined over 8.5%. In addition to SPC, South Florida State College and Daytona State College were awarded $2.8 million for workforce training.
With the completion of the rebuilding of St. Pete Beach’s infrastructure, including a multi-million-dollar sewer overhaul, the city is ready to implement the comprehensive plan it created 20 years ago. Changes are coming to the city’s largest resort properties. There is no cause for alarm at this growth, however, since it is only replacing units that had been removed over the years.
The iconic Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa, at almost 100 years of age, is adding 10,000 square feet of meeting, party and conference space on its north side.
Already the largest property on Florida’s west coast, Tradewinds is proposing 650 new upscale guest rooms, 18,000 square feet of retail space, much of it taking shape as retail spaces along Gulf Boulevard. The resort also plans 33,000 square feet of conference space, three new swimming pools, a variety of additional resort amenities, and a long list of infrastructure projects it says will benefit the resort and the community alike, including a multi-million-dollar storm water drainage system to help with flooding. Jim Smith and his 1754 Properties bought the resort a couple years ago.The 302-room, 18-acre, Sirata Beach Resort just sold to a Kentucky hospitality company for $207 million, eclipsing the $202.6 million paid in 2017 for the Don CeSar by an affiliate of Host Hotels and the 2018 sale of the Vinoy for $188 million. The buyer, Columbia Sussex, which owns hotels from Florida to Alaska, obviously also has construction plans for the resort, after paying over $450,000/room for the property. The seller, Crescent Real Estate of Fort Worth, paid $108.2 million in 2017 and did a multi-million-dollar facelift on the property.
As the effects of the increases in property values hit the tax roles, the city of St. Pete Beach is contemplating lowering its share of the property tax burden on its residential property owners. The city’s share is a small fraction of property tax bills, so the impact for residents will not be substantial.
The Corey Sunday Market is only getting more popular as time goes on. The mix of merchants Tampa Bay Markets brings to the street seems to be the best in the area, and they have managed to keep the market open throughout the
COVID pandemic. Merchants who are open on Sundays say it is their best day by far. Elizabeth’s boutique and her Grapes, Wine Café’ next door do very well on Sundays, when the Café offers a $30 “all you can eat and drink buffet” with bottomless Mimosas or Bloody Mary’s while the market is open.
Treasure Island is seeing its share of construction too, with the demolition and replacement of aging boutique hotels. The shopping district, particularly the area south of the clock tower, is slated for demo and rebuilding. Tenants from The Pearl to CJ’s Tavern had been given two years notice to relocate. The Pearl has already moved to Gulfport near Town Shores.
Following an amazing success with its Addams Family performance this fall, St. Petersburg City Theatre held auditions in late December for All Shook Up! Directed by Jamie Bierchen, it follows a small Midwestern town that is thrown into a frenzy with the arrival of Chad, a good-looking, motorcycle riding roustabout, who rides from town to town with a guitar on his back, blue suede shoes on his feet, and a song in his heart. Repressed by their conservative mayor, the town begins to come alive once more under Chad’s influence. The music is all Elvis. The show runs March 17-26.
Florida tourism numbers continue to boom. The state welcomed 35.1 million visitors from July to October, marking a 6.9% increase from Q3 2021. It’s also the fifth consecutive quarter of overall visitation that’s surpassed pre-pandemic levels. According to Visit Florida, 32.6 million domestic visitors traveled to Florida in Q3 2022, representing 18 months of domestic visitation growth from 2019.
The 18th Annual St. Pete Beach Classic will be Jan. 13-16. This year will have several events and multiple races for all ages. There will be a Health and Fitness Expo at the St. Pete Beach Rec Center on Friday Jan. 13. The rest of the weekend is hosted by The Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center Jan. 14-16. There is a kids race for children, a beach fun run Saturday evening, a timed 5K and 10K on Saturday and Half Marathon Sunday – there is also the B2B2B challenge. Children 8 and under, and seniors 80+ are FREE. There will be bonfires, parties, beer, drinks and food for all participating athletes to enjoy the #1 Beach in America. The St. Pete Beach Classic is a non-profit race and supports other local non-profit organizations in the good they do for our community. Some of the groups they support include Sea Turtle Trackers, Friends of the Library on St. Pete Beach, The St. Pete Beach Recreation Center, The Historical Museum on Pass-A-Grille Beach among others. The St. Pete Beach Classic 2023 will include a volleyball exhibition all weekend put on by the Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association and a beach cleanup on Monday. When asked about the St Pete Beach Classic, Mimi, the director of Run, Fun and Happy said “what better way to bring our great community together than to run on the streets and party on the beach.” For more information, to register, sponsor or just to volunteer go to the website www.stpetebeachclassic.com. Here you will find itineraries, photos, ways to be part of this great community event!
Tall Ships will transform the city’s waterfront into a full on festival and maritime celebration from the end of March through early April. St. Pete will be the first city to host the Tall Ships Challenge Gulf Coast Race, as an incredible collection of tall, beautiful and historic ships from across the world will make their way to Bayboro Harbor. There will be promenades, opportunities to walk on board, sunset cruises, and a festival experience with food trucks, craft beer, live music, street performers, and a market. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.tallshipsstpete.com.