07.26.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🏗️ What’s going up in TBAY?

Incoming Tampa Bay developments

The Gas Worx project will reinvision a swath of Tampa. | Rendering via KETTLER

It’s not just you. There seems to be a deluge of cranes hard at work on new towers, expansions, and construction projects across the Tampa Bay area.

We thought we’d dig into a few major projects to check on their progress — and recap one recently completed expansion. Hold on to your hard hats.

Gas Worx

Tampa investor Darryl Shaw and KETTLER kicked off phase one of the massive Ybor City development’s construction this spring. Plans for the 50-acre mixed-use development (located between the Ybor Historic District and Channel District) include nearly 5,000 residential units (including 300+ affordable units), more than 140,000 sqft of retail space, and 500,000 sqft of office space.

Leaders expect to open the project’s first apartment complex in 2024.

Tampa Convention Center

Tampa leaders recently unveiled the Convention Center’s nearly 24,000 sqft expansion. The new meeting rooms + gathering space feature the signature Hillsborough River views. The project also revamped part of the Tampa Riverwalk with new ADA-approved ramps, LED lighting, and added a glitzy new sign.

The Residences at 400 Central

You might remember hearing about St. Pete’s longest, continuous concrete pour last fall. Well, it was for this project’s foundation. Right now, construction is well on its way on the building’s lower floors. The 46-story luxe condo building will feature a glass-enclosed sky lounge, resort-style pool, theater, professional-grade gym, and dog walking course. The rough estimate for the tower’s completion is 2025, according to a spokesperson.

EDGE District tower

Last week, St. Pete city officials approved KETTLER’s, the same firm behind Gas Worx, plans for 1st Ave. N. tower. The group will replace the retail space, parking lot, and gym currently on the lot with a 21-story, 310-unit apartment tower.

Skyway Village

St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District continues to see growth. The incoming Skyway Village project will redevelop the former Ceridian campus + include more than 2,000 apartments, 49,000 sqft of commercial space, and retail options like a Sprouts Farmers Market, according to St. Pete Rising.

Events

Wednesday, July 26

Watercolor 101 | Wednesday, July 26 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Hostess, 2635 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $68 | Learn all about how to wield a watercolor brush, color theory, and techniques — plus, munch on a personal charcuterie board.
St. Pete Networking After Hours On The Rooftop | Wednesday, July 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Cambria Hotel St. Petersburg-Madeira Beach Marina, 15015 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach | $15-$75 | Mingle with 75+ Tampa Bay Area professionals.

Thursday, July 27

All Hands On Deck | Thursday, July 27 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Hyde House Public Studio, 1646 W. Snow Ave., Tampa | Free | Spend World Day Against Trafficking with the folks from Redefining Refuge + light appetizers, curated cocktails, and community art.
Hunter Hayes | Thursday, July 27 | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | $55-$80 | Join the five-time Grammy-nominated country music star as he performs from his latest album, “Red Sky.”

Friday, July 28

Tampa Bay Comic Con | Friday, July 28-Sunday, July 30 | Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa | $30-$295 | Browse tons of comic books, toys, art, and memorabilia + meet up with celebrities from series like “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars.”

Saturday, July 29

Barre Express w/ Barre Forte | Saturday, July 29 | 10-11 a.m. | St. Petersburg Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | Meet at the Pier’s Family Park for a 45-minute class working the body with pulses and tucks.
Back to School Fair | Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Westshore Plaza Mall, 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa | Free | The first 500 kids in the backpack line score a free backpack — plus there will be face painting, contests, and live entertainment.
BeerFest 2023 | Saturday, July 29 | 7-10 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $65-$75 | Pull on a dino fit and head to Beerassic Park, the historic theater’s annual fundraiser event, for local brewery tastings, snacks, and a costume contest.

100+ new events

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News Notes

Development

Clearwater leaders are considering selling the city’s downtown real estate. The move would allow developers to move into central properties + save the city $146 million in upgrade costs. The decision would need final approval by the Board of County Commissioners. (Tampa Bay Times)

Travel

TPA is moving forward with electric plane plans. Airport leadership shared six potential launch sites with stakeholders earlier this week, including six inside the airport interior + others along the Airport Service and West Tampa Boulevard. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Real Estate

The Harbordale YMCA is (soon to be) on the market. The location (2421 4th St. S., St. Petersburg) has been closed since 2020 + the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg plans to use the money to help fund the Speer YMCA Preschool Academy (2100 26th Ave. S.). (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Civic

Calling all vote-by-mail devotees. If you want to vote by mail in the 2024 presidential election, you’ll need to renew your request due to a new Florida law. Register or renew your request in Hillsborough or Pinellas. (WUSF News)

Community

Care for some “shark-cuterie?” The Florida Aquarium’s annual Shark Week celebration is tomorrow, July 27 from 6:30-8 p.m. Learn about the aquatic creatures while a charcutier leads you in making a tasty spread. Bonus: Take the hard-maple board home for future shark-themed festivities.

Number

2,000. That’s how many free backpacks will be given out to kids at next weekend’s BBQ & Seafood Fest. Head to the Tropicana Field parking lot Saturday, August 5 from 12-5 p.m. for a massive market, live entertainment, giveaways + to sample local food trucks and craft beer. (I Love the Burg)

Finance

A card so good, even The Ascent’s credit card experts couldn’t resist applying for it. It’s an absolute slam-dunk if you’re looking for a one-card wallet: big sign-up bonus, up to 5% cash back, no annual fee… the list goes on.*

Edu

Considering a career change or looking to take your tech job to the next level? Southeastern University’s SEU Tech certificates offer online, budget-friendly courses in software development, cybersecurity, and data science. Bonus: Courses are only eight weeks. Explore the program + register.*

The Word

Bucear. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Tourism and Hospitality

You go, Phoebe

TPA’s Phoebe the flamingo honored by prestigious CODAawards

It’s hard to miss Phoebe on your way to catch your flight at TPA. | Photo via Tampa International Airport

Three cheers for Phoebe.

Tampa International’s lanky, 21-ft tall flamingo was just honored by the national CODAawards. The prestigious honor selects works that successfully integrate art into public spaces.

The sculpture, created by artist Matthew Mazzotta + named by a TBAY resident, made it into the 2023 CODAawards Top 100. And now, Phoebe’s up against public art across the globe in a people’s choice competition.

“It’s an enormous honor to have one of TPA’s public art pieces selected as a top 100 by the CODAawards jury, and we’d love to spread the word to all of our passengers and community members who have enjoyed seeing and interacting with Phoebe the flamingo,” Emily Nipps, TPA director of communications, wrote in an email. “We have some great competition from around the world, but given Phoebe’s popularity, we think we have a good shot.”

You can vote for Phoebe now through Monday, July 31. The two top-voted art pieces will be announced later this summer.

Shop

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Start a new self-care routine, just in time for the new school year. From vitamin skin serums to shaving sets, we’ve got you covered.

Wellness

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Travel

Get 12% off when you upgrade your Going membership to Elite or Premium with code 12DAYS. Think: Even more cheap flight alerts, including first-class tickets.

Eat

Restaurant subscription app Offline gives you up to $50 off the tab at your favorite restaurants each month. Try 30 days for free with code TBtoday.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Bailey

From the editor

Sad Times at Rigdemont High. Manatee’s Mixon’s Fruit Farms closes later this week. I’ll be stopping by the longtime fruit store for one last orange creamsicle cone + to feed the Koi.

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