Plus, a wealth of new restaurants opening
 
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Today’s Forecast

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.
 

It’s your chance to be the broker

Be the broker: Which vacant office spaces would you like to see become affordable housing?
Tampa Convention Center
A boat drifts by the Tampa Convention Center and downtown Tampa’s growing skyline. | Photo by US Customs and Border Protection
Have you noticed some of the empty office space around town? Office vacancies are at 15.1% as of September 2023. Compare those numbers to the national office vacancy rate, which was 17.8% as of September 2023. One possible use for vacant offices? Affordable housing.

Recently, the White House released a new plan to convert commercial buildings into residential housing — affordable housing in particular. Resources will be made available from 20+ programs across multiple agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

We’re talking below-market loans, grants, and tax credits... all available to help take advantage of preexisting buildings to make more affordable housing.

Which vacant spaces would you like to see converted?

Have you passed an empty office building that would be a sweet apartment? How about some empty warehouses near public transportation that would make for a quick commute?

Tell us which spaces you’d like to see remade into housing, and we may feature your picks in an upcoming newsletter.
Asked

Which vacant office space could become affordable housing?
Share your ideas
 
Events
Friday, Dec. 15
  • Putt the Pier: Holiday Edition | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 16 | Times vary | St. Petersburg Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | $12 | Play 18 holes of putt-putt with holiday themed obstacles, decorations, classic holiday tunes, and 360-degree views of the water.
  • “A Very Broadway Christmas” | Friday, Dec. 15, Friday, Dec. 15 | Times vary | Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $56-$176 | Take in musical numbers from beloved Broadway Christmas shows + holiday classics, meet Santa, and snap pics at the photo ops.
  • “It’s a Wonderful Life” | Friday, Dec. 15-Thursday, Dec. 21 | Times vary | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $10 | Cozy in for a showing of the classic holiday flick featuring the tale of George Bailey at the historic theater.
Saturday, Dec. 16
  • Free Holiday Yoga Flow | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 9:30 a.m. | Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | Free | Join Alexandra By the Bay for a yoga session, then head over to Dwell for a gift card to the home store, and to buy a B-12 shot or chair massage.
  • Aerobics | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 10-11 a.m. | Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Free | Get your heart rate up with a free full-body outdoor aerobics class in the Midtown Commons.
Sunday, Dec. 17
  • The Market at Water Street Tampa | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Water Street Tampa, 1045 E. Cumberland Ave., Tampa | Free | Shop from 60+ local food and wellness-focused vendors including healthy eats and eco-friendly goods.
  • “Wild Florida” | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 3:30-5 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $5-$42 | Author and wildlife photographer Kirsten Hines shares from her experience capturing our state’s nature + wildlife.
  • Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 6-7 p.m. | Lowry Park Boat Ramp, 1204 W. Flora St., Tampa | Free | Paddle your kayak, canoe, or power boat upriver from Lowry Park Boat Ramp to Sulphur Springs Park or watch the merry crew’s journey from land — register online.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Kenagra Health
 
News Notes
Weather
  • Prepare for strong winds and heavy rainfall this weekend, TBAY. Forecasters say the area will likely receive a couple of inches of rainfall, with rain starting tomorrow and continuing into Sunday. After the system passes, the temperature is forecast to drop into the low 50s. (Tampa Bay Times)
Announced
  • We’ve got ramen on the brain. Trash Panda Provisions is serving up bowls of ramen at Common Dialect Brewery (5023 N. Florida Ave.) tonight from 4 to 9 p.m.. The menu includes a chicken broth ramen and a broth-less variety with chicharrón and other accouterments. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Transit
  • Hillsborough County is making improvements to Howard Avenue from West Kennedy Boulevard to West St. Louis Street near Columbus Drive. The project is projected to be completed in 2024 and includes resurfacing, reduced speed limits, and sidewalk improvements, and new signage + pavement markings.
Arts
  • Gulfport is getting a new gallery. Artists of Elements: the Gathering Place (4746 22nd Ave. S.) is celebrating its grand opening this weekend. The lineup includes live music, book signings, local vendors, and eats. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Opening
  • Do we have any Greenlane fans? The salad drive-thru, which opened in South Tampa earlier this year, just broke ground on a new location at 2115 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. Plus, there’s plans in the works for a Fourth Street location in St. Pete.
Eat
  • One of Willa’s cofounders is opening a new eatery in St. Pete. Cheeky’s Fish & Chicken — picture an oyster bar mixed with a fried chicken shack — will open next summer at 2823 Central Ave. (I Love the Burg)
Development
  • National chain Dapper Doughnut is bringing its mini donuts to the Cigar City next year. The 2720 E. Fowler Ave. location will open in January + also offer flavored lattes. Follow the spot on Instagram for more updates. (That’s So Tampa)
Finance
  • This no-annual-fee balance transfer offer now lasts until 2025. Transferring your existing balance to a no-interest card could be the simple solution you’re looking for to finally get ahead of your payments. (Oh, and it offers cash back rewards on everyday purchases.)*
Wellness
 
City

🎶 “Hey Mr. DJ”

Here’s the lineup for Gasparilla Music Festival 2024
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Talk about a sunset jam sesh. | Photo via @gasparillamusic
We know what we’re doing this upcoming Valentine’s weekend... heading to Gasparilla Music Festival.

The massive Tampa music show is booked for Friday, Feb. 16 to Sunday, Feb. 18. Organizers just released the initial lineup — with more artists to be announced soon — and it boasts huge acts: Young the Giant, Louis the Child, Big Gigantic, and Lake Street Dive. This will also be the first year at the festival’s new venue: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

The stacked weekend also features performances by:
  • COIN
  • Trevor Hall
  • Surf Mesa
  • Tampa Metro Youth Orchestra
  • Digable Planets
  • Beach Weather
  • Aidan Bissett
Find the lineup and more tips for planning your experience on the festival’s website. Ready to lock in your plans? You can also secure early bird tickets starting at $45.
The Buy

The Buy 12.15.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
This smart mug warmer that keeps beverages the temperature of your choice and has automatic shut-off.
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The Wrap
 
Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

Today’s edition by:
Bailey
From the editor
Anyone else in need of a Friday morning boost? Try out the newly opened King State St. Pete — here’s a peek.
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