A new era dawns for the Gas Plant District

Mayor Welch addresses residents at this year’s State of the City. | Photo by TBAYtoday

The Rays will play a major hand in the redevelopment of Tropicana Field.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch selected a team led by development group Hines & Tampa Bay Rays to transform what was once the Gas Plant District — a thriving Black neighborhood — at yesterday’s State of the City address. Welch said the team’s proposal was one of two robust options out of the four plans submitted last year.

The mayor, a former Gas Plant resident, issued a new request for proposals after taking office last year to address the need for jobs, housing, and other community components. Over the past year, the city has held community conversations to discuss hopes for the site’s redevelopment and met with organizations and leaders across St. Pete, Welch said.

“It’s also an opportunity to fulfill the promise and our obligation to ensure that the economic development that is created from this generational project is rooted in intentional equity, shared opportunities for progress, and meaningful inclusion of the African American community,” he said.

The winning proposal includes a state-of-the-art ballpark, 6,328 multi-family housing units (1,459 will be reserved for affordable housing), a new home for the Woodson African American Museum, hotels, conference space, an African American Cultural Heritage loop, potential daycare/early learning space, 30,000 sqft of retail space, and more.

“I am fully confident that this decision is the best path forward for our city,” Welch said.

Imagine taking in some baseball from this perch.

But the long-awaited decision is just the first step in a massive transformation. Welch noted that the “project will last over a decade, and span multiple administrations.”

The Rays’ current lease on the ballpark ends in 2027. Now, Hines, the Rays, and the city will work to finalize the agreement, which will be presented to City Council for a vote in September or October, according to the city.

EVENTS

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Today, Jan. 31

Death Cab for Cutie | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 7 p.m. | Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $120 | Jam to the American indie pop rock group’s newest album “Asphalt Meadows.”
Book Launch | Tuesday, Jan. 31 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $20 | Author Peter Kageyama discusses his latest book “Hunters Point.”
Home Again | Tuesday, Jan. 31, Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $10-$12 | The documentary transports the audience to Carole King’s 1973 concert on Central Park’s great lawn.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Rick Springfield | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $33-$113 | Rock out to “Jessie’s Girl” and other hits.

Thursday, Feb. 2

The Witch’s 12 Year Anniversary Celebration | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 4-10 p.m. | The Ale and the Witch, 111 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | Celebrate the downtown pub’s birthday with $3 taps, mini bratwurst sandwiches, beer cheese dips, a ceramic mug sale, and more.
Clearwater Carnival | Thursday, Feb. 2-Sunday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | Countryside Mall, 27001 US Hwy. 19 N., Clearwater | Free | Ride the Ferris wheel, indulge in carnival treats, and more.
Sangria and Stories: Tampa’s NFL History | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 6-7:15 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa | $20 | Fred Hearns, the museum’s curator of Black history dives into Tampa’s Bay’s relationship with football.
Elle Cosimano | Thursday, Feb. 2 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa | $5-$26.99 | Find out what’s next for Finlay Donovan from her creator, author Elle Cosimano.
Hamlet | Thursday, Feb. 2-Sunday, Feb. 5 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $49-$65 | Lose yourself in one the Bard’s legendary tales.

Friday, Feb. 3

Children’s Theatre | Friday, Feb. 3 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa | Free | Kids 6 and older will enjoy storytime with Super Cat and Reptile Robot

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

82º | Partly cloudy | 9% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:17 a.m.
Set: 6:10 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 10:19 p.m.
Low: 6:13 a.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 7:20 p.m.
Low: 2:38 a.m.

Opening

Mind if we Keep St. Pete weird? Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos opens in St. Pete (2314 Tyrone Blvd N.) this Wednesday, Feb. 1. The fast-casual spot serves popular fare like hillbilly queso and cheese and other pithily-named tacos. Thanks, ATXtoday. 🌮

Community

Still need to get rid of those Gaspy beads? Drop off your plundered jewels at Kate Jackson Community Center, Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex, Copeland Park Center, and MacDonald Training Center now through May + the city will use them at next year’s parades. (WUSF News)
Speaking of Gasparilla beads, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful collected some 39,352 beads and 8,953 pounds of litter at its cleanups on Sunday. Take a peek at the effort.

Plan Ahead

The Boss is on his way. Bruce Springsteen plays Amalie Arena this Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available, starting at $168.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is coming up Friday, March 3- Sunday, March 5. Get your tickets now + text your pals to make a plan. 🏎️

Eat

Another healthy lunch option is opening its doors in Water Street Tampa. CAVA, a wildly popular nationwide chain known for its Mediterranean-inspired build-your-own bowls, has not announced an opening date. 🍴(That’s So Tampa)

Development

Construction starts this week on Feeding Tampa Bay’s new headquarters. The $60 million new facility will have room for workforce training programs, food donation services, and more. 🚧 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Award

Have you tried Uptown Eats yet? The new St. Pete fave landed the #21 spot on YELP’s “Top 100 Restaurants in America.” The St. Pete spot serves a mean brunch, tons of drinks, and even hosts a mug club. (I Love the Burg)

Eat

#TerraceTabletop: The Terrace Grille’s scratch kitchen is known for serving Florida’s freshest flavors in an upscale, tropical-inspired atmosphere. Stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner (including happy hour), or weekend brunch. Make a reservation.*

Shop

Show your appreciation for your significant other, family members, or best buds with a floral arrangement. Pro tip: GreenWise Bouquets are $12.99 at Publix GreenWise Market through Wednesday, Jan. 31. 💐*

Trending

The internet’s most popular cup is back in stock. The Stanley Quencher is beloved for its comfortable handle, large straw, ability to fit in your car’s cup holder, and how it keeps water cold for 11 hours. Plus, the popular 40 ounce size means all day hydration. 💧*

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Food

Here’s a conversation (heart) for ya

A box-o-treats just sweet enough for your honey. | Photo by @watersttampa

Whether you have a Valentine or not, you need to check out these sweet treats. Sorry, we don’t make the rules. We just enforce them.

Sparkman Wharf’s Hampton Chocolate Factory is serving up strawberry shortcake-dipped cones, waffles, and shakes + heart-shaped chocolate-covered strawberry boxes (why mess with a V-Day classic?).
Holiday pre-orders are open for macron powerhouse Elevenses. The new Ybor City bakery is cooking up red velvet macaron cakes, conversation hearts sugar cookies, and of course, a range of heart-shaped macarons in flavors like sour cherry and chocolate hazelnut. Order by Saturday, February 4.
Fantastical is the only way to describe Bandit’s holiday offerings. Pre-orders are open now for a chocolate drizzled devil’s food cake with strawberry cream cheese buttercream or a three-layer matcha dome cake with vanilla bean buttercream + raspberry jam. Orders close on Wednesday, February 8, or when the goods sell out.

We’re still on the hunt for pinktastic treats. Let us know if there’s any we should sample.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

Editor’s pick: I had a great time attending the State of the City address and seeing all of the residents, community leaders, and kids who showed up. One of my favorite parts was listening to the city’s poet laureate Gloria Muñoz perform her poem “Somos St. Pete.” Here’s my fave line:

“There’s a pin on the shore
in a town with a map
like an emerald in the dark,
or a pelican’s eye.”

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Speaking of Valentines, we share some gift options, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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