By Peter Roos
The 132-unit Corey Landing luxury condominium project passed the Technical Review Committee (TRC) in early September. Kolter Urban had submitted plans in February for 30 more units than the current design, which includes 132 luxury condominiums in two 8-story buildings, 11,600 square feet of retail, restaurant space, and a 39-slip marina.
Gulfport Health & Wellness Expo 2025
Saturday, Oct. 11 | 10am-2pm at The Maria Center, 1500 58th St. S
Free community event focused on health, wellness, and fun!
What to expect:
- Free health screenings and wellness demos
- Live entertainment by Steve Roman
- Door prizes and light refreshments
- Connect with local health and wellness providers
No tickets needed, just stop by! Bring a friend and explore ways to live healthier and feel better. Free beverages and appetizers will be available during the pre-show reception.
Gulfport Town Hall Meeting: After the Hurricane
Monday, Oct. 13 | 6pmGulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S
Gulfport hadn’t had as much damage from a hurricane in a hundred years. We’d seen images of what happened to other towns but somehow didn’t think it would happen here. The city is still recovering – the Casino, the marina, the beach – as are many residents who are still not in their homes or living in unfinished rooms. About a quarter of the city was directly affected.
April Lott, president and CEO of Directions for Living, will talk about her experience (she flooded) and the emotional, traumatic effect of this storm on those immediately affected and on first responders, debris collectors, volunteers, friends, and neighbors. Gulfport’s vibrant dining scene is growing and changing. Moon Under Water, the popular downtown St. Pete restaurant and brew pub for 30 years, is reopening there as well as a French bakery and restaurant called Mademoiselle Paris.
Moon Under Water will locate in the 5,000-square-foot space most recently occupied by The Drunken Taco, (which posted a “Closed Forever” sign on its door on Monday, Sept. 1). The authentic British Colonial pub, known for its creamy stouts and spicy curries, will reopen by the end of the year at 2832 Beach Blvd. S. Mademoiselle Paris, a beloved French bakery and bistro with three locations in Sarasota, is opening its newest restaurant inside the Peninsula Bed & Cocktails at 2937 Beach Blvd. S in Gulfport. Owners Jean and Myriam Dandonneau, wanted to expand northward, and found that Gulfport felt European to them. The couple met in France while working for a telecom company, but quickly realized their true passion was in food and wine. Jean’s grandfather had been a French chef at the Château of Chamarande, and with that inspiration, they began dreaming of building something of their own.
The city has issued an RFP on a $51 million project to reimagine the Enoch D. Davis Center and James Weldon Johnson Community Library in south St. Petersburg. The city is seeking a qualified construction manager to oversee the creation of a new 53,000-square-foot shared facility at 1111 18th Ave. S. The 18,000-square-foot Enoch D. Davis Center, opened in 1981, currently offers human services, multipurpose halls, a fitness center, and other amenities. It also served as the city’s disaster recovery center after Helene and Milton, serving both FEMA and the SBA. Next door, the 14,000-square-foot James Weldon Johnson Community Library provides study and reading areas, upgraded computer programs and more. A recent programming study determined that 53,000 square feet would be required to house both facilities, prompting the city to pursue a combined building. The new complex will also include the St. Pete Youth Farm, which currently operates on an adjacent lot. The nonprofit teaches youth urban agriculture, business, cooking, and leadership through hands-on training launched in 2019. St. Pete-based Place Architecture was selected in 2024 to lead design efforts. The project team also includes Texas-based Lake Flato Architects; Dix.Hite + Partners Inc. for placemaking and site planning; 720 Design Inc. for library and community center expertise; VoltAir Consulting Engineers for MEP services; Thornton Tomasetti for structural engineering; Vickstrom Engineering for civil engineering; and IBA Consultants Inc. for exterior design.
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, 2240 Ninth Ave. S, has unveiled a bold vision for a new home. The new 40,000-square-foot structure envisioned by Everald Colas of St. Pete-based Storyn Studio for Architecture, is planned for the corner of 15th Street and First Ave. S, currently Lot 5 of Tropicana Field and across from Fusion 1560. As striking as While the renderings are striking, the proposed design faces major hurdles, including securing the site for the new museum and reaching ambitious fundraising goals. The proposed site was part of the Rays/Hines gas plant redevelopment plan that was scrapped in July.
The Skyway Marina District is getting several new dining options next year. A new retail building at 4311 34th St. S will house Huey Magoo’s, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Smoothie King. Developer Jack Dougherty of Allied Group Holdings, who has spearheaded multiple projects in the district, broke ground on the site in mid-August. The one-acre site sits directly in front of Dougherty’s recently completed Marina Club Apartment Homes, a 400-unit, eight-story complex that has already leased 157 apartments since March.
Founders Point, a 15-unit apartment community at 2901 31st St. S near the Skyway Marina District, was developed by Pinellas Affordable Living Inc. (PAL), a Community Housing Development Organization formed by the Boley Centers. The community, designed to provide safe and affordable housing for people with special needs, is located next to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and just south of The Shores Apartments, a 50-unit affordable housing community developed by The Richman Group. The 15 one-bedroom apartments are reserved for residents earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), specifically for residents with special needs.
On Oct. 25-26, there is a FREE Hip-Hop Harvest Fest noon to 9pm at Tropicana Field, Lot 1, featuring live performances, costume characters, a petting zoo, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, and a pumpkin carving battle for the dads!
On Oct. 28, the Pass-a-Grille Women’s Club plans to reopen their historic clubhouse at 2201 Pass-a-Grille Way.
A single-story structure, the clubhouse needed major renovation from the floors up due to flooding from Hurricane Heene. Insurance and donations covered the costs after the club got historical status on the building.
On Nov. 8, the club celebrates the life of past president Michele Garner, daughter of longtime resident and photographer Peppy Emmons. Michele was recently diagnosed with leukemia and passed away at Moffitt Cancer Center Aug. 30.
Longtime Tampa Bay Beaches supporter and past chair Attorney Russell Cheatham and Pasadena Liquor owner and community supporter Jim Valenty both passed this summer.
The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority’s Board of Directors this month approved the Authority’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes funding for some big construction projects designed to continue growth at Tampa International Airport.
The airport expects to see a 3.2 percent increase in passenger traffic versus FY2025, with a total of 25.7 million visitors flying in and out of TPA. The result is expected to be a $7.5 million increase in operating expenses to a total of $212.1 million, and a $12.8 million boost in revenues to $493 million. Overall, the Aviation Authority projects a pre-capital bottom line of $174.6 million.
The approval allows the Authority to move forward with a capital program that includes 34 projects totaling $835.5 million, including some highly visible projects that will improve and modernize key portions of the traveler experience.
The program includes $298.6 million to upgrade TPA’s checked baggage system to a modern setup that will serve all Airside terminals with state-of-the-art equipment. The new design will centralize control of the system and help passengers expedite baggage drop-off with their airlines. The changes will improve efficiency and resiliency, lower overall maintenance needs and optimize the Main Terminal to enable expected growth. The checked baggage system ought to be completed in late 2028.
Also part of the capital program is $285.7 million to expand and renovate the Ticketing Level on the second floor of the Main Terminal. This modernization includes adding more ticket counter space and moving individual airline offices from their current locations behind each counter to consolidated office space on the west side of the building. Counters will then be pushed back several feet to free up floor space and allow more room for passenger queuing and check-in kiosks. The Ticketing Level project is currently scheduled to be completed in late 2029.
Both the checked baggage system and Ticketing Level projects are designed to streamline the check-in process and better serve the way guests travel in the 21st century. The improvements will complement the opening of the new, 16-gate Airside, which broke ground in December and is scheduled to be completed in late 2028. The $1.5 billion Airside D is being built to help TPA welcome its projected growth to almost 35 million annual passengers by 2037.
Tampa International Airport was nominated five times in this year’s USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards. For 2025, TPA is up for Best Large Airport, Best Airport for Art and Best Airport Dining. Two of TPA’s restaurants, Ulele and Cigar City Brewing, are competing for Best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant. Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria is in the running for Best Airport Grab-and-Go Food.
USCG Auxiliary Recreational Boating Course
Saturday, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Dec. 18 | 9 am-5pm49th Street Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 7-16 in Gulfport will hold a Recreational Boating Course on the second Saturday of every month at the CGA Training Building, 3120 Miriam St. S in Gulfport. The 8-hour course includes subjects as Boat Nomenclature, Before you Get Underway, Navigating the Waterway, updated Legal Requires, Boating Equipment and Emergencies, and qualifies for the Florida Boating ID Card as well. Cost is $40 per person. Contact Marty Richardson at 630-674-5352 or merichardsonjr@att.net to reserve a seat.
John Deermount is the leader of the Tampa Bay Grady White Club. The storms last fall seriously affected the membership and they are looking to find some more Grady White owners to join them. Annual dues are only $50 and include monthly meetings with speakers, brunches, occasional weekend trips and Kingfishing tournaments. Call John at 201-264-1527.
Spend your day or night at Pass-A-Grille’s favorite waterfront restaurant, The Wharf Restaurant & Bar! Best view, seafood and grouper, wings, new Bang Bang shrimp and dozens of appetizers, salads and gumbo! There’s a kids’ menu for the family, fabulous specialty desserts (key lime pie), new boat docks, an indoor and outdoor dining areas, full bar and specialty cocktails. Catch all your favorite teams on 17 TVs, NFL, college, and MLB games here! Kitchen open until 10pm! Live music too – rock out with Rob Tyre Wed.-Sat. 6-9:30pm. Enjoy Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 3:30-6pm (bar only). Daily specials, including Taco Wednesday and Tuesday Fish Fry, a Wharf favorite, featuring lightly breaded and fried fish served with fries, slaw, & hush puppies. The annual Halloween bash with costume contest prizes on Oct. 25 @7pm; contest @8pm with live music. NEW! Book a private party of 15-20 on our front patio, server included.
Scott Tate Announces 2026 candidacy for Mayor of St. Pete Beach
We usually have to race around in December to find out who registered to run for municipal office for our January edition. This year is different. Resident Scott Tate, who serves on the Belle Vista Community Association Board and the city of St. Pete Beach Police Pension Board has already thrown his hat in the ring for mayor. A 40-year resident of Tampa Bay, Scott and his wife Lynette settled in St. Pete Beach in 2021. With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from USF, Scott is a product manager for a Tampa-based software company. He enjoys spending time on the beach and playing in a local band.
“My initial goals for the city would be to help all our residents get back in their homes, to help our businesses rebuild and reopen, and to make our infrastructure more resilient. This wonderful community deserves better leadership to help us get back to being the amazing St. Pete Beach we all love and remember – and that is what I intend to bring to the city.”
Gulfport Resident Michael Warner Announces candidacy for Florida House District 61
Several years ago we met a young man who was working at Tampa Airport helping people navigate in wheelchairs. I remember his name was Michael Warner, and he told us he planned to run for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
Michael was born at Saint Joseph Hospital in Tampa to a military family that instilled in him a deep sense of duty, responsibility, and service. His father retired from the United States Air Force after serving at MacDill Air Force Base, and his mother worked as a nurse. Growing up with those values, Michael learned early that strong communities are built when people look out for one another. After graduating from American University with a degree in Political Science and Justice, he completed training at Georgetown University and the Charles Hamilton Houston Pre-Law Institute. We recently returned from our summer trip, and he was there again, in mid-September 2025. This time he had more news. Not only had he moved to House District 61, which includes much of southwest Pinellas, but he had set up a political website, www.MichaelforFlorida.com, had published his first book, The Voice For Change (which is for sale on Amazon) and he had registered to run for the seat currently held by Rep. Linda Chaney, whose career started as commissioner in St. Pete Beach. I know we will be hearing more from Michael.
Spooky Night Blow? Performance Glass Art event at The Morean Glass Studio on Saturday, Nov. 8, 7pm.
Lights go off, and molten glass takes the limelight with its fiery, lava-like glow. Glass artists narrate the action as they perform hair-raising feats and throw in thrilling surprises, all accompanied by a live DJ syncing music with the movements.
The event creeps it real with staff in costumes, spooky décor, exciting provided glowstick accessories, and a ghoulishly-grand performance. In addition, light appetizers and an open bar come included with guest admission, ensuring a scary good time all around. The show will take place at the Morean Glass Studio at 714 First Ave. N, with doors at 6:30pm and showtime at 7pm.
Visit www.MoreanArtsCenter.org/NightBlow or call 727-822-7872.
The 13th Annual Good ‘Burger Awards will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025 at the brand-new St. Pete Athletic Club.
With over 400+ attendees, robust community engagement through nominations and voting, and strong media visibility, this year’s event will be the biggest and boldest yet. The St. Pete Athletic Club is a stunning 45,000-square-foot “urban country club” featuring indoor pickleball and paddle courts, a full-service restaurant, multiple bars, and a garden-inspired social atmosphere, located close to the action in the Warehouse Art’s District at The Factory, 2544 Fairfield Ave. S, St. Petersburg. A perfect backdrop for celebrating what makes St. Pete shine…. our Good ‘Burgers!
Sponsorship Opportunities:
- $5,000 Platinum Sponsor – category sponsorship + 10 VIP tickets + logo recognition across all channels
- $2,500 Gold Sponsor – category sponsorship + 8 VIP tickets + logo recognition
- $1,000 Silver Sponsor – 6 VIP tickets + listing on event signage and registration page
(Sponsorship perks also include logo placement on promotional materials, recognition during the event, and exclusive access to the VIP reception starting at 4:30pm.) This is more than an event … it’s a movement to lift up what makes St. Pete extraordinary. We would be honored to highlight your continued leadership and commitment to our community.