TIDBITS by Peter Roos
DUNEDIN
After a successful stint along the St. Petersburg bayfront, the autonomous shuttle AVA began another test this week in Dunedin, where free rides will be offered through the summer. AVA is short for Autonomous Vehicle Advantage. AVA riders in Dunedin will experience a different automated vehicle than the one used in St. Petersburg, which carried nearly 5,000 riders over five months. The ongoing testing is a partnership between the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and BEEP, and it receives funding from the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA).
GULF BEACHES
St. Pete Beach Mayor Al Johnson is the president of the Barrier Island Government Council, the “Big C”, this year, so the group is meeting at St. Pete Beach’s Community Centre in the afternoon of the last Tuesday of each month. The Big C, incorporated in 1990, is a governmental council including 11 municipalities residing on the west coast of Florida, from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater, including: Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island. Visit www.barrierislandscouncil.com/reps.php for more.
GULFPORT
Neptune Grill is Thriving! One of Gulfport’s signature restaurants is Neptune Grille, across from the Casino’s west side. It’s a casual Greek and seafood restaurant with water views, live music & an outdoor bar. Greek salads, flaming cheese, gyro platters, classic Greek & seafood entrees. Liquor, beer or wine are available, and you can dine indoors or out. There’s usually a breeze and some shade in the afternoons.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Breeze Airways is flying Tampa International Airport to Charleston, South Carolina.
Founded by Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, Breeze Airways will eventually fly 39 nonstop routes between 16 cities. Flights began Thursday, May 27, with routes between Tampa, Charleston and Hartford, Connecticut. Other destinations will be added weekly through July. When its schedule is complete, Breeze will fly 10 nonstop routes to and from Tampa including Louisville, Oklahoma City and Richmond, Virginia.
SKYWAY MARINA
A new active senior living community is coming soon to the Skyway Marina District. Sarasota-based LifeStar Living closed on a 5.25-acre property at 4595 34th St S for $9 million. The site is currently home to a self-storage facility and an Ace Hardware. The first phase of the Manhattan is estimated to cost $125 million and will be comprised of over 80 condo-style homes with modern coastal finishes. Each unit will include 1,050 to 2,600 square feet of living space. The nine-story building will feature high-end amenities and services, including indoor and outdoor dining venues, an outdoor pool, nature paths, a fitness center and spa, 24-hour security, valet services, and priority access to healthcare services that include assisted living and memory care. Later this year, hundreds of new residents will soon call the Skyway Marina District home. Pre-leasing began this month for Marina Walk, a 245-unit apartment community located just south of The Manhattan. Additionally, Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie Café will be opening alongside Marina Walk in an outparcel building fronting 34th Street South.
The Addison Skyway Marina, a 308-unit luxury apartment community, and Sur Club, a 296-unit resort-style apartment complex, are also under construction. Lastly, Skyway Lofts, an affordable housing community, broke ground last year and will bring another 65 units to the neighborhood in 2022.
SOUTH PASADENA
South Pasadena Community Church is bringing its popular Craft & Treasure Sale back Saturday, August 14th. Vendors are being auditioned for the event, which is being held carefully, with the knowledge all of us should be vaccinated by then. Please contact Barbara Posey at 727-381-2499 ext 214.
ST. PETE BEACH
The Best Pot On The Beach The only Florida franchise of the Outer Banks Boil Company is open, behind the elevator in the Courtyard at Dolphin Village, 4655 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-357-BOIL (2645) They offer dinners, take-out (you steam) or catering (we steam) complete with Cajun sausage, bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and your choice of delicious seafood items. Add-ons include NC BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, cornbread and key lime pie. Visit www.OuterBanksSeafoodCompany.com
Sewer pipe installation is complete on Boca Ciega Drive and planning is underway for paving from 75th north from the Community Center past Gulf Beaches Elementary School. Resident input is being solicited for repaving suggestions.
Phase III of the installation of a new sanitary sewer pipe continues to impact traffic on Gulf Boulevard. Phase III will open a large trench and connect the two pipes from Bore Pit 1 to Bore Pit 2. Phase III is expected to be complete, and the detour removed at the end of June. The installer expects to return in September to connect the new pipe to the lift station across the southbound lanes.
ST. PETERSBURG
Bayfront, Johns Hopkins All Children’s get Pier naming rights. Bayfront Health St. Petersburg will pay $750,000 over five years for naming rights to the Tilted Lawn, while Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital will pay $250,000 over five years to put its name on the tram that travels the length of the Pier. Bayfront, acquired last year by Orlando Health, wants to demonstrate continuing support of and commitment to the city. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital sees The Pier as a healthy children’s destination.
Lykes Bros., one of the oldest and largest agribusinesses in Florida, is putting a big bet on the future of farming as it invests in Brick Street Farms, an urban farm and market in St. Petersburg. Lykes will take a 20 percent ownership stake in Brick Street Farms because of the deal, said Mallory Dimmitt, vice president of strategic partnerships at Lykes. Brick Street Farms will use the investment to accelerate the expansion of Brick Street Farms hubs, an all-inclusive onsite farming and retail shopping experience in urban cores, said Shannon O’Malley, founder and CEO. The company has self-contained, environmentally sustainable THRIVE containers that will be placed in each hub. Each hub will grow between 16 to 20 acres of farmland on one-third acre lots.
TAMPA
Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival resumes July 6-24 at Barness Hall on the USF Tampa Campus. The tuition-free festival brings together 36 of the world’s aspiring collegiate pianists, who are selected from an extensive list of applicants world-wide. This summer four Tampa Bay area pianists will get a taste of RPPF. Tuition for students is covered by Rebecca Penneys Friends of Piano, a non-profit 501c3 organization, supported entirely by private donations. The students are joined by 21 world-class faculty, who work closely with students over the 19-day festival, providing a semester’s worth of private lessons, nightly master classes, special topic classes, faculty presentations, performance opportunities, and abundant practice time on Steinway pianos. Although the opportunity brings requests to audition from around the globe, four Tampa Bay pianists are included in the festival this year. It is not all work. The Shell Island shuttle has been booked for a dolphin watch trip. For info on supporting RPPF and Rebecca Penneys’ Friends of Piano: www.rebeccapenneyspianofestival.org/
WUSF Wins Three Regional Murrow Awards for Election and Health Coverage. WUSF was recognized for its coverage of the 2020 presidential election, along with an Excellence in Innovation award for The State We’re In and an award in the News Series category for Committed, a look at Florida’s Baker Act.
Allegiant is launching six new nonstop routes this summer, and two will connect St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport with Bentonville, Arkansas, and Provo, Utah. The new offerings from Allegiant include two routes to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which Allegiant will serve for the first time in its history.