01.28.2025

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71º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:18 a.m. | Sunset 6:07 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 4:37 p.m. | Low: 9:01 a.m. + 7:03 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 12:16 p.m. + 10:29 p.m. | Low: 4:27 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🚧 Hard hats at the ready

A four-story, gray apartment building is decorated with a brightly painted mural and is framed by blue sky and parking spots.

The new affordable housing complex is decorated with a bright, hand-painted mural. | Photo via City of Tampa

Here we grow again. In case you missed it, there’s quite a bit of construction dust flying about this winter.

Here’s a look at a few up-and-comping projects in Tampa:

The Main Street Quick Build

West Tampa’s Main Street is getting a whole new look.

The $300,000 project includes:

Repaving the stretch from North Armenia Avenue to North Boulevard
Adding 220+ parking spots
Improving crosswalks and adding painted curb extensions
Creating a four-way stop at Main and North Albany Avenue

The graphic shows a map of part of West Tampa, featuring where improved crosswalks and on-street parking spaces will go in. — Take a peek at how the walking and driving experience will improve in West Tampa.

New South Tampa affordable housing complex opens

Casa Bel Mar, a new 100-unit apartment complex opens right in the heart of South Tampa. The four-story building boasts a slew of one and two-bedroom apartments.

It’s one of the Cigar City’s latest efforts to make workforce housing more affordable, with units priced between $895 and $1,400 a month.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino upgrades

One of TBAY’s biggest hotels just unveiled a $65 million renovation with 350 slot machines, a revamped Fresh Harvest Buffet, and renovated smoke-free hotel rooms.

Take an in-depth look

Asked

What kind of developments would you like to see in TBAY this year?

A. Apartments and housing
B. Hotels and retail space
C. Public spaces
D. Mixed-use districts

Take your pick

Events

Tuesday, Jan. 28

Surrealist Photography: Ekphrastic Writing | 6 p.m. | The Dalí Museum | $30+ | Get inspired by the museum’s “The Subversive Eye” exhibit, then craft your own one-page ekphrastic story or poem — you can also perform your piece.

Dawn Tripp | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oxford Exchange | $5+ | Sip on a glass of champagne or rose while the bestselling author shares from her latest novel following the life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

“MAMMA MIA!” | Tuesday, Jan. 28-Friday, Jan. 31 | Times vary | Carol Morsani Hall, Tampa | $169 | Dancing queens assemble for the musical rendition of the ABBA-music packed story.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

Big Picture Classic Film Series | 8-10 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $10+ | Sit back in the cushy red seats for an old school screening of “Cinema Paradiso.”

Thursday, Jan. 30

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Coming Soon

Una Más, por favor. West Tampa’s newest coffee shop opens next month. The 700-sqft cafe will offer Cuban- and Colombian-inspired comfort food & drinks, like breakfast burriots, arrepas, cortados, and cold brew. Follow the cafe for more updates. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Show

Katy Perry is bringing her “Lifetimes” tour to TBAY. The pop superstar plays Amalie on Friday, Aug. 22. So you have some time to learn every single word to “1432". Tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Giveaway

This weekend, the Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage Festival takes over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park with a 60-ft Ferris wheel, live music, and lots of eats. Now, let’s get you tickets. Enter Visit Tampa Bay’s giveaway on Instagram.

Plan Ahead

On the hunt for Valentine’s trinkets? Mezzo Market returns to North Hyde Park on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The area outside Willa’s will be packed with nearly 100 vendors like 5801 Print House and The Knit Duck. (That’s So Tampa)

Ranked

We already knew it, but USA Today just nominated The Warehouse Arts District as one of the best arts districts in the US. The Burg neighborhood boasts creative spaces like the Morean Center for Clay, Duncan McClellan Gallery, and ArtsXchange. Vote through Monday, Feb. 17 at 12 p.m. (I Love the Burg)

Community

Looking for a way to give back this new year? Hot Mess Express helps local women get a fresh start by cleaning, organizing, and doing dishes and laundry. Head to the local chapter’s site to nominate women, learn about volunteering, and buy cleaning supplies for the group. (Tampa Bay Times)

Environment

Florida’s citrus industry is struggling, but we finally have some good news. Researchers say a new genetically modified tree could improve the situation. Take an in-depth look at the longtime industry. (Tampa Bay Times)

Sports

It’s time to discuss the recent National Baseball Hall of Fame voting results. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

The Buy

A trendy tie-front blouse that’s perfect for your next date night. Psst — we’re loving the pink stripe for Valentine’s Day.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

I have one more idea for your Tuesday night: A cozy night of grilled cheese and jazz. Need I say more?

Head to the Burg’s In Between Days tonight at 7:30 p.m. for a rousing Roadside Jazz performance by the AYRIAS PEDIGO TRIO, paired with a little grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “Have you joined the sourdough craze?”

two loaves of bread — Sourdough blurs the line between art and food.

Lots — ~32%— of our readers are considering getting doughy with it this year. Me too.

But a strong ~30% of folks are steering clear of yeast, saying baking isn’t really their thing.

The journey just started for about 18% of readers, and 18% are already pros. Brava. And on that note, please share your tips.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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