Support Us Button Widget

Hurricane damage, voting, and repairs: 3 Tampa Bay civic updates

We’re sharing updates on Tropicana Field repairs, damage to St. Pete parks, and Election Day.

A drone shot of the overhead of the tattered Tropicana Field roof after Hurricane Milton.

The 100+ mph winds tore up the Trop’s roof.

Photo by City of St. Petersburg

We get it, staying on top of everything going on in Tampa + the Burg is an absolute beast. Luckily, you have us.

Here’s what you missed on this week’s episode of TBAYtoday:

⚾ ️ Tropicana Field repairs

Hurricane Milton’s 100+ mph winds ripped the Trop’s roof to absolute shreds. But what comes next?

St. Pete City Council just approved spending an initial ~$6.5 million to fix the roof. Hennessy Construction Services Corp. and BMS CAT LLC will get started on emergency waterproofing services and remediation to stop further damage.

This is the first step in the process of saving the stadium, and the steps St. Pete takes will influence how much their insurance adjuster gives the city for repairs.

A banner reads "Voting is Cool" with the Stars and Stripes emblazoned behind. "We the People" is in the bottom left of the banner, with the Hillsborough County logo.

Yes it is. | Photo by TBAYtoday

🗳️ Election Day

The day has finally arrived. If you’re voting today, we’ve put together a guide to what + who’s on the ballot, and where to cast your ballot.

PSTA is offering free rides to the polls. All you have to do is tell the driver your polling location or flash your American flag emblazoned “I Voted” sticker. Hillsborough County residents should bring their valid voter information card to ride city transportation for free.

And after you submit your ballot, keep an eye on WTSP’s Voter Toolkit for timely updates and results.

🌳 Damages to parks

How did St. Pete’s beloved parks fare during the back-to-back hurricanes? City leaders reported during last week’s council meeting that Boyd Hill, Lake Maggiore Park, Maximo Park, and Dell Homes Park suffered the most damage during the pair of storms, according to St. Pete Catalyst.

All parks have reopened, but 11 city playgrounds remain closed. Leaders warn that your favorite pocket of paradise might look substantially different. For example, Boyd Hill lost 600 trees due to wind.

And the cleanup will take awhile — there’s about 2,000 trees down across the city.

More from TBAYtoday
TBAYtoday readers shared which local restaurants + meals they miss the most — and we think you’ll agree.
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around Tampa Bay?
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 12 farmers’ markets around TBAY.
Bookmark this list for when you don’t feel like cheffing it up for the holidays.
We’re checking in on where the Rays might play in 2026, the Bucs’ victorious run, and who’s playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
From inventive vaudeville-esque chamber shows to holiday classics, we’ve got you covered.
The deal still hinges on money from Pinellas County Commission.
After a multi-million dollar renovation, the improved MOSI facility will take the title of America’s second-largest digital dome planetarium.
Here’s what you need to know about debris removal and rebuilding
From lighted boat parades and outdoor holiday markets, we do winter a little differently around here.