Plus, the voter registration deadline approaches.
 
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Today’s Forecast

92º | 60% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:45 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.
Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 12:49 p.m. | Low: 6:33 a.m. + 9:29 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 10:08 a.m. | Low: 5:55 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

From our friends at WTSP

 
Time to Rays a glass
A rendering of the Rays new proposed stadium, showing fans inside a ballpark.
The Rays are staying in TBAY. | Rendering via Tampa Bay Rays
The saga is finally over. After decades of talk, the St. Petersburg City Council finally approved plans for the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment. Before the vote, council members faced hours of public comment from those both in favor of and opposed to the $6.5 billion project.

Eventually, officials voted 5-3 to guarantee at least another three decades of Rays baseball in shiny new Burg digs. The team’s current lease at Tropicana Field expires in 2027, and is planning to move into its new home the following year.

The ballpark will cost an estimated $1.3 billion, of which $430 million will come from the City of St. Pete. The only part of funding left to figure out will be determined by Pinellas County commissioners later this month. They will vote on whether to spend ~$313 million of local hotel-bed tax to fund the project.

But baseball wasn’t the only thing on the agenda. The project also includes parking garages, hotels, and office space. A new Woodson African American Museum of Florida was also approved, as were affordable housing units, and upgraded infrastructure.

A rendering of people walking around the new Rays stadium. There are shiny buildings around the area, with palm trees, and huge crowds of people.

Rays games could look just like this very soon. | Rendering via Tampa Bay Rays

Mayor Ken Welch, responding to those who raised issues like homelessness, rising living costs, and flooding risks as reasons to allocate tax dollars elsewhere, said, “you’ve got my commitment [in this] administration that this just moving to the next phase. And the promises mean nothing if we don’t get those community benefits and all those other promises moved from concept into implementation.”

Get used to the sights and sounds of construction. The full project is expected to take 20-30 years to complete.
 
Asked
 
What do you think of the new Rays stadium plan?
A. I love it! It’s a home run.
B. Not for me. Three strikes, you’re out.
C. Let’s wait and see.
 
 
Events
 
Friday, July 19
  • Jurassic Quest | Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21 | Times vary | Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | $22+ | Bring the kiddos for some prehistoric fun, with live shows, arts + crafts, and photo ops.
  • Tampa Tarpons vs. Bradenton Marauders | Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21 | Times vary | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $8+ | Catch a ballgame this weekend in the Big Guava.
  • “The Rocky Horror Show” | Friday, July 19-Sunday, Aug. 4 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $35+ | The classic movie-turned-musical hits the TBAY stage, with all its classic sci-fi, gothic, and rock ‘n’ roll themes.
Saturday, July 20
  • Christmas in July | Saturday, July 20 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | Get in the Christmas spirit with unique vendors, food and drink specials, farm animals, and family fun.
  • Radiate Wellness 2.0 | Saturday, July 20 | 5-8 p.m. | 550 N. Reo St., Tampa | $71 | Treat yourself to a day of yoga, sound bath, acupuncture, and positive energy.
  • “Taylor Shines: The Laser Spectacular” | Saturday, July 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg | $34+ | The place will shimmer as Swift’s tunes combine with a spellbinding laser show at the waterfront theater.
Sunday, July 21
  • Summer Yoga | Sunday, July 21 | 10-11 a.m. | The Foodie Labs, 515 22nd St. S., Ste. 130, St. Petersburg | Price of donation | Relax, unwind, and nourish your body + mind at this yoga flow.
  • “CheckMait In Wonderland Fashion Show” | Sunday, July 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Coastal Creative, 2201 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $50+ | Head to wonderland with fashion stylings befitting Lewis Carroll’s legendary tale.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Civic
  • Time is running out to register to vote in this year’s primary elections. Florida’s registration deadline for the primaries is Monday, July 22, ahead of the vote on Tuesday, August 20. For the general election, you must register by Monday, Oct. 7. Sign up here.
Open
  • There are some new mouthwatering options at Armature Works. The riverfront hotspot is welcoming Meltdown Grilled Cheese Shop to its already-stellar food lineup. Its menu features delectable cheesy sandwich options — we’ve got our eyes on the Mac Attack and Pit Master Chucks. (That’s So Tampa)
Closed
  • A decades-old South St. Pete restaurant has closed its marinara-infused doors. Portofino Italian Ristorante shut down last week after serving customers in Bay Pointe Plaza for 30 years. Owners blamed the impact of COVID-19 + rising costs. (WTSP)
Number
  • $755,107. That’s how much Metro Inclusive Health’s “Copay it Forward” program generated in free healthcare for St. Pete’s uninsured and underinsured residents in 2023. Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer Brian Bailey said, “it’s more crucial than ever to ensure that healthcare remains accessible.” (I Love the Burg)
Edu
  • The University of South Florida is launching a new water-focused business degree this fall. USF’s College of Business + College of Marine Science are partnering to create the blue economy-focused MBA program which will dive into coastal tourism, fishing management, and maritime trade. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Eat
  • Chill Bros. Scoop Shop is celebrating National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, July 21. The popular Tampa-based chain is marking the occasion by bringing back fave holiday flavors for one day only: Candy Cane Forest and Luck of the Irish.
Community
  • You won’t be-leaf this. Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry is celebrating the 55th anniversary of the moon landing by placing an exceptionally well-traveled tree on display. The tree grew from a seed that was aboard Artemis I — a craft which flew around the moon in 2022. Plan your visit.
Watch
  • We celebrated National Hot Dog Day in style earlier this week. A trip to Mel’s Hot Dogs is always a good idea — and the spot has been serving up Chicago-style eats since 1973.
Arts
  • The Morean Arts Center is hosting its annual Art Yard Sale later this year. The event on Saturday, Sept. 14 will feature dozens of pieces ranging in price from $1 to $100. Participating artists are yet to be announced. (I Love the Burg)
Listen
  • Who’s to blame for Stamkos’ exit? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Drink Up
  • Clink, clink — we’d like to make a toast. Drink Up Week is coming Monday, July 22-Friday, July 26. To celebrate Tampa Bay’s buzzy beverage culture, local businesses are offering fun drink deals throughout the week. Map your route and raise a glass.
 
 
City Guide
 
Interesting facts about Tampa Bay
pexels-ronald-slaton-14282413.jpg
Get to know Tampa Bay’s fun facts. | Photo by Ronald Slaton
Did you know Tampa has a tropical climate?

Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there’s plenty of interesting factoids to go around:

1. Why is it called Tampa? There’s no one definitive answer. Some theorize the name is a loose translation of “sticks of fire” in the language of the Calusa — a Native American tribe indigenous to southwest Florida. Our lightning strikes could explain this one.

2. St. Pete holds the official Guinness World Record for most consecutive days of sunshine. There were a whopping 768 in a row starting in 1967.

3. According to legend, St. Petersburg was named by Peter Demens, an exiled Russian aristocrat, thanks to the flip of a coin. His opponent — John Constantine Williams — lost the 50/50, and instead received the honor of naming the city’s first hotel after his hometown, Detroit.
City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.
 
The Buy
 
These men’s lightweight cotton-blend undershirts, which are moisture-wicking, tag-free, and on sale in color white.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Patrick Sidwell.jpeg Today’s edition by:
Patrick
From the editor
The other day, I asked if you think a hot dog is a sandwich — hard-hitting journalism, I know.

It turns out ~70% of you think it is not a sandwich. It’s a contentious issue, so I’ll play Switzerland here and stay neutral against my better judgement. If you want to close the gap, the vote is still open.
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