Plus, two other civic updates.
 
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74º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:49 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:16 a.m. + 10:01 p.m. | Low: 2:58 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 6:59 a.m. + 6:21 p.m. | Low: 12:16 p.m.
 

Because we know you skip the News Notes sometimes 👀

Three Tampa Bay area civic updates
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Many of St. Pete’s boards and commissions meet at City Hall. | Photo by City of St. Petersburg
Listen, we get it — even with a brilliantly-constructed, whip-smart local newsletter landing in your inbox each morning, it can be hard to keep track of all the updates happening in the Tampa Bay area.

Btw, we’re the brilliantly-constructed, whip-smart local newsletter. We needed to make that clear.

That’s why we’re sharing three civic updates that we think you should have on your radar. 👇

Tampa’s 2024 budget

Wanna learn about where the city’s money could go in the upcoming fiscal year (which begins Sunday, Oct. 1)? Attend the Budget in Action meeting tomorrow, Aug. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to learn more and voice your opinion. You’ll also be able to connect with city staff from different departments, explore neighborhood plans, and obtain resources. Bonus: the meeting is totally free to attend — just RSVP online.

Currently, the proposed budget comes in at $1.92 billion and features a 16% property tax increase; updates to parks, sidewalks, and roads; increased affordable housing; and more police officers + firefighters.

You can also attend a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 5 or Tuesday, Sept. 19, when city council will vote on the budget.

St. Pete seeks citizens

The City of St. Petersburg is seeking locals to fill spots on various boards and committees:
  • Advisory Commission on Aging
  • Board of Trustees of Police Pension Fund
  • Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments
  • Civilian Police Review
  • Development Review Commission
  • Investment Oversight
Apply online, and learn more details on how to join via our previous article.

Parking lot conversations

It seems local city planners just listened to “Big Yellow Taxi.”

As originally reported by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, local organizations and planners are discussing the downtown area’s high number of parking lots and how much they are used (6,000 of 24,000 parking spaces remain unused at peak times, for instance).

Right now, Tampa City Council is working with the Mobility Department and Parking Division on a Parking Master Plan that addresses the parking issue. Discussions + plans like these come as Tampa works to become more pedestrian-friendly.
Events
Tuesday, Aug. 22
  • Tampa Tarpons vs. Palm Beach Cardinals | Tuesday, Aug. 22-Sunday, Sept. 3 | Times vary | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $2-$8 | Watch our New York Yankees-affiliated team take on the Cardinals — plus, play catch in the outfield before the game.
Wednesday, Aug. 23
  • Ukulele Jam Along | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Safety Harbor Library, 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor | Free | Bring your uke, fiddle some strings, and learn new songs.
Thursday, Aug. 24
  • The Party of the Year | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Floridian Social Club, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $25-$50 | LocalShops1 is celebrating its 15th anniversary with live entertainment, appetizers by Calamansi Company, desserts by JB’s Sweet Addiction, a bar, and live paintings by local artists.
  • Colin Jost | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | $75-$131 | SNL’s “Weekend Update” cohost takes the stage with his stand-up set.
Saturday, Aug. 26
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Announced
  • Lana Del Ray is headed to Tampa for the first time ever this fall to play MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Monday, Sept. 25. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Aug. 25. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Civic
  • Over the weekend, more than 10,000 gallons of untreated wastewater discharged into St. Pete’s Riviera Bay due to a sewage leak. Officials expect that sewage repairs will be completed by today, but the public is advised to avoid Riviera Bay until further notice. (Tampa Bay Times)
Biz
  • Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro in St. Pete will likely look a little different after the city’s municipal marina redevelopment. Both marina redevelopment proposals include demolishing the existing Fresco’s building and building a new structure. First, however, the chosen developer must renew Fresco’s lease. (St. Pete Rising)
Development
  • A Clearwater developer recently proposed twin, 35-story luxury waterfront condos that would become the tallest buildings in Clearwater. Due to a code change back in May, a vote by the Community Development Board is no longer required for the proposal, despite plans to add more units than what is allowed by code. The application is currently under review by city staff. (Tampa Bay Times)
Transit
  • St. Pete’s SunRunner could halt its free fares. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri is actively petitioning Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority to start charging for rides, and The PSTA board will vote on introducing a fare Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Community
  • Local developer and former St. Pete City Council member Robert Blackmon recently submitted a bid for Tangerine Plaza. His proposal for the city-owned retail property includes anchoring the plaza with a grocery store, with a goal of solving the area’s food desert issue. Currently, another group is negotiating with the city to purchase the property. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Sports
  • The Tampa Bay Buccaneers removed the temporary “Krewe’s Nest” seating area of Raymond James Stadium. The removal brings the stadium’s seating to 65,842. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Coming Soon
  • Holistic wellness and recovery business Vitality Wellness is opening a new center at 400 12th Ave. N. in St. Pete. The local spot features cryotherapy, an infrared sauna, float therapy, red light therapy, an IV hydration bar, and contrast baths. (I Love the Burg)
Drink
  • Tampa recently ranked No. 7 on USAToday’s list of the 10 Best Beer Cities in America. Tampa made the list thanks to the 103 craft breweries in the greater Tampa area, and the fact that it’s the birthplace of Jai Alai IPA by Cigar City Brewing. (That’s So Tampa)
Featured
  • #TerraceTabletop: Looking for a venue to host an event? Whether getting married, hosting a private dinner, or needing a unique location for a business meeting, Terrace Hotel & Grille’s historic charm and beautifully designed spaces provide everything you need for an unforgettable event. See the venue (and peep the catering menus).*
 
Community

Here’s what you would rather:

Would you rather: TBAY edition
A Sunset on St. Pete Beach. The sky is orange and yellow, with a dark beach before it in the shadows.
Would you rather... | Photo via TBAYtoday
Last week, we brought back the classic slumber party game of “Would you Rather” and asked you about your Tampa Bay favorites.
    The results show that most of you would rather...
    • Cheer on the Bucs. (Lucky for you, we’ve got a season preview guide coming up next month. Stay tuned.)
    • Spend an afternoon at Pass-A-Grille.
    • Take your coffee date to Oxford Exchange.
    • Shop fresh produce at the Saturday Morning Market.
    • This vote was split, so it seems that folks can agree: The Dog Bar 🤝 Pups Pub.
    • Spend hours at The St. Petersburg Museum of History.
    • Drumroll please... the majority of you are St. Pete proud (but only by one vote — it was close).
    Note: We love and support all of our local businesses, and we would rather remind everyone this is just a friendly game.
    Share TBAYtoday
     

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    The Wrap
     
    Brianna Williams

    Today’s edition by:
    Brianna
    From the editor
    I know that budget info may not sound particularly exciting, but if you’re able to attend the upcoming Budget in Action meeting, I highly recommend it. Learning more about where tax dollars go, and being able to provide your input, is an important part of local government — plus, it’s really cool to be in-the-know about upcoming plans. Being a part of meetings like these helps you actively shape your city.
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