The City of St. Pete is taking another run at redeveloping a stretch of land along 22nd Street South.

On April 6th, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Commerce Park site, a roughly 3.03-acre collection of 19 city-owned parcels just north of Interstate 275 in the Deuces corridor.

The land, directly across from the Manhattan Casino, is appraised for around $4.5 million and has been the subject of multiple redevelopment plans over the past two decades, none of which have fully panned out.

City officials are now looking for a mixed-use project that activates 22nd Street South through commercial and retail uses, provides mixed-income housing with both rental and homeownership opportunities, and maximizes allowable density.

When the land was first assembled starting in 2007 under the administration of Rick Baker, the goal was to create a manufacturing and industrial hub that would generate jobs in South St. Pete.

The city spent years buying up parcels along the corridor with the idea of attracting employers and building out an employment center.

Then the Great Recession hit, and things stalled.

The site sat idle for years before the city made another push under Rick Kriseman, this time partnering with St. Petersburg Commerce Park LLC, a group that included Tom Callahan, Robert Kapusta, and Kevin Wojtowicz.

The plan was to bring in a manufacturing facility for EMP Industries along with a motorcycle dealership operated by Euro Cycles of Tampa Bay.

Construction actually started in 2018, but the project never really got off the ground. The jobs didn’t materialize, and parts of the site ended up tied up in a deal the City later had to unwind.

Euro Cycles eventually gave its parcel back, and the City sold off a rear portion of the property for about $1.025 million.

From there, the site became part of the “Deuces Rising” initiative, which focused more on housing, retail, and reinvestment along the 22nd Street corridor.

At one point, the City also lined up the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum of Florida as a potential anchor for the site, with plans for a new, larger facility.

That concept ultimately moved in a different direction, leaving Commerce Park without a clear centerpiece again.

Today, instead of chasing a single-use industrial project or relying on one major anchor, the city is leaning into a more flexible, mixed-use plan.

The city is seeking proposals that maximize what can be built within the site’s Corridor Commercial Traditional-1 (CCT-1) zoning district.

Proposals should also honor the community’s heritage and promote equitable partnerships, including opportunities for small, minority-, and women-owned businesses.

Developers are encouraged to submit a full plan, including site design, financials, timeline, and a track record of delivering similar projects.

The City has also made it clear they want someone who can move forward “immediately upon award.”

The Mayor will make the final selection, with City Council signing off on any eventual agreement.

Meanwhile, the area around the site is starting to see some momentum.

The Deuces Rising Townhomes are nearing completion nearby, and the Manhattan Casino is expected to reopen later this year following a major renovation.

Proposals for the Commerce Park RFP must be submitted by May 22nd at 10 a.m. Questions from proposers are due by May 6th.

The full RFP can be viewed on the city’s website.

A new café and bar is coming soon to Beach Boulevard in downtown Gulfport.

Sober Bar, serving specialty coffee, zero-proof cocktails, kava, and other functional beverages, is preparing to open next month at 3062 Beach Boulevard South.

Owners Sean Hawthorne and Collin Horton have spent the past several months renovating the roughly 1,400-square-foot space, the former home of Anani Bistro, into a moody, New Orleans speakeasy-inspired lounge.

The concept combines elements of a traditional bar with a menu that skips alcohol altogether, instead leaning into functional drinks and a more social, lounge-style atmosphere.

The idea first started as a pop-up in 2025, with Hawthorne and Horton serving drinks at markets across Tampa Bay.

Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market quickly became one of their regular spots, and it didn’t take long to see the demand was there for a permanent storefront.

“With the name Sober Bar, we want it to elicit some curiosity with our customers because the words ‘sober’ and ‘bar’ seem like two conflating ideas,” Hawthorne said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “I discovered the kava industry about five years ago when I decided to go sober for a while. I was looking for some sense of community and I found it at these kava bars.”

While Gulfport already has an established kava bar downtown in Low Tide, Sober Bar is carving out a slightly different niche.

Hawthorne said the goal is to have the communal feel of traditional kava bars with a more elevated bar-style atmosphere and presentation.

During the day, Sober Bar will operate more like a coffee bar, serving espresso drinks, matcha, kava, and botantical teas.

After a quick midday break, the space will reopen in the afternoon as a low-lit lounge, shifting into a more elevated evening vibe built around nonalcoholic cocktails.

Guests can order zero-proof cocktails made with alcohol alternatives from brands like Ritual and Free Spirits, along with kava-based drinks, botanical teas, and nonalcoholic beer and wine.

Some of the more unique offerings come from the duo’s market days, where they experimented with combinations like iced Thai kava coffee, matcha kava, green jasmine ketum tea, and even a seasonal “kava nog.”

That experimentation will carry over into the permanent space.

Customers can also add adaptogens and tinctures, ingredients like lion’s mane, ashwagandha, blue lotus, and kanna, designed to support things like focus, relaxation, or stress relief.

Horton, who has worked at several local kava bars and restaurants, helped develop the menu and is focused on pushing the experience beyond what most people expect from a typical kava bar.

“I really love crafting a cocktail and putting a lot of intention into someone’s drink,” Horton said. “What we’re doing is a bit more of an upscale experience… I want to bring that personalized experience to every single customer.”

The space itself is designed to match that approach.

Inside, black walls with gold accents, chandeliers, banquet seating, and vinyl jazz records spinning set the tone for a vintage, speakeasy-style feel.

The front room will house the café and bar, while a more relaxed lounge area sits in the back.

Outdoor seating will also be available on the patio and sidewalk.

Hawthorne said the goal is to create an experience that engages all five senses, from the music and lighting to the presentation of each drink.

Hawthorne and Horton plan to lean into programming as well, with live jazz musicians, game nights, and other themed events.

A small, rotating menu of New Orleans-inspired plates is also in the works, but details haven’t been ironed out yet.

After a planned soft opening around Cinco de Mayo, Sober Bar is expected to operate seven days a week.

Morning coffee service will run until midday, followed by afternoon and evening hours that could stretch as late as 1 a.m. on weekends.

Be sure to follow Sober Bar on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on grand opening plans and the latest offerings.

The annual St. Petersburg Jazz Festival returns this week, offering a diverse line-up of bands and orchestras that will all be hosted within the Warehouse Arts District.

The jazz festival officially kicked off Tuesday, April 7th, with free-admission jazz workshops at St. Petersburg College, which is followed by four days of concerts with a mix of jazz styles and international influences.

Starting Wednesday, April 8th, a total of seven performances will happen at the Rosie Cohen Stage at the ArtsXchange, located at 515 22nd Street South. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m.

The annual festival is a nod to St. Pete’s rich musical roots, since the city has ties to the mid-20th century Chitlin' Circuit, a network of venues that provided safe spaces for Black musicians across the United States.

Adjacent to the Warehouse Arts District, the area of 22nd Street South, known as “The Deuces,” served as a cultural hub for entertainment defined by performances from jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Count Basie.

Now in its 17th year, the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival will host all concerts within the district rather than at multiple venues across the city. This change is made possible through a partnership between David Manson, a faculty member in the St. Pete College Department of Music, and the Warehouse Arts District Association.

Manson’s nonprofit organization, EMIT, will serve as a co-presenter for this year’s festival.

A four-concert ticket package can be purchased for $65 online or $75 at the door. Single-day admission can be purchased for $25 online or $30 at the door.

Online ticket purchases and further information can be found here.

Here’s the full lineup of the 2026 St. Petersburg Jazz Festival:

Wednesday, April 8th: Award-winning vocalist Alexis Cole will join the Helios Jazz Orchestra for a powerhouse performance of big band standards and modern arrangements. Born in Queens, New York, Cole is known for her urban style and warm voice, and is well-suited to traditional standards and swing. She has been compared to classic jazz singers such as Sarah Vaughan and Anita O’Day. The Helios Jazz Orchestra is an 18-piece jazz band that has performed at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Ybor Jazz Fest, and at other local events.

Thursday, April 9th: The Randy Bordon Trio will perform as the opening act. Cuban-born bassist and producer Randy Bordon, known for his fusion of Afro-Cuban and modern jazz beats, will lead the trio that “serves as a vibrant bridge between Havana and Florida’s jazz scene.” Other band members include Pablo Arencibia (keyboards) and Diego Azcuy (percussion). Popular percussionist Johnbern Thomas will headline Thursday night’s show. Hailing from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thomas is recognized for his explosive energy and will lead a group of virtuosic musicians through his original compositions.

Friday, April 10th: Opening act Hot Club SRQ will transport audiences to a 1930s-era Parisian cafe. The band is led by violinist Keven Aland, who delivers a high-energy mix of Manouche-style jazz, rumba flamenco, and bossa nova. He’s joined by Keven Aland (violin/vocals), Jon McLaughlin (acoustic guitar), and Glenn Stevenson (double bass). For the main act, Austrian-born pianist and composer Markus Gottschlich will bring his unique perspective to the American jazz tradition. The Markus Gottschlich Trio includes Elias Tona (bass) and Michael Washington (drums).

Saturday, April 11th: The Downtown Trio Plus One will be the final opener of the festival, delivering a masterclass in groove featuring David Pate (saxophone), Doug Mathews (bassist), John Jenkins (drums), and LaRue Nickelson (guitar). The main act will feature Grammy-winner Dafnis Prieto and bassist and composer Edward Perez, who bring a powerhouse exploration of Afro-Cuban rhythms and modern jazz.

A Gulfport-based vintage and handmade goods shop is preparing to open a larger, expanded location in St. Pete.

Coastal House Vintage will open Wednesday, April 29th at 2820 1st Avenue North in the Grand Central District, growing from roughly 500 square feet to about 1,700 square feet in a 1926-built home that has since been converted for commercial use.

Alongside the expansion, the shop is introducing a more interactive concept centered on creativity and community.

The new location will feature a dedicated craft café, where visitors can drop in at any time, purchase a project, and spend time making it on-site.

“We really hope it’ll be a third-space environment where people can come spend time with us,” owner Robin Kee said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “You can sit and have a drink, hang out with friends, and not have to go sit at a bar.”

The shop blends curated secondhand and vintage pieces with handmade goods from local vendors, offering everything from home décor and ceramics to jewelry, candles, and personal care items.

The shop has built a following around its intentionally collected aesthetic, favoring items with character and history over mass-produced goods.

That mix will expand significantly in the new space, with more room for inventory, additional vendors, and for the first time, furniture.

The shop plans to host at least four to eight workshops each month, ranging from plant propagation classes and ceramics to embroidery and hands-on craft sessions.

Even outside of scheduled events, guests will be able to choose from a rotating menu of DIY projects and use the space freely.

A notable addition to the new location is Proppy, a plant and propagation-focused business that will occupy part of the space and host its own events, including plant bingo.

Other local vendors expected to be featured include A Bit of the Beach, known for its shell-based creations and popular phone case workshops; Hans Pots, a ceramic artist who leads paint-your-own pottery sessions; and Lizbeth Diaz Ceramics, whose handmade pieces are regularly stocked in the store.

The expanded footprint also allows for outdoor programming.

The property includes a front yard that will be outfitted with seating and used for events, with plans to partner with food trucks and coffee carts.

The move comes less than two years after Coastal House first opened, and during a particularly challenging period in Kee’s personal life.

The original store launched in late September 2024, the same weekend Hurricane Helene struck the area.

Kee said her family lost their home in the storm, and she has been rebuilding while simultaneously growing the business.

“While walking one of the hardest seasons of my life, Coastal House became my haven, my therapy, and my joy,” she said.

Kee, who has a background in interior design, initially started Coastal House as a series of vintage resale pop-ups with a friend before opening the Gulfport storefront when a space next to her husband’s photography studio became available.

 What began as a small, creative experiment quickly evolved into a retail shop and community hub with local makers and a regular slate of events.

With the move to St. Pete, she expects that growth to accelerate.

“We’ve seen great growth even in that location,” Kee said. “So we think moving to a more visible, accessible spot near other businesses will bring in even more visitors and shoppers.”

The Gulfport location at 919 49th Street South will close on Saturday, April 25, in preparation for its transition into a new space.

Coastal House Vintage’s new St. Petersburg store will initially open with a soft launch on April 29th, with a formal grand opening and ribbon cutting planned for later this summer.

The shop is expected to be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The growing stand-up comedy scene in St. Pete is getting another addition, this time with a much smaller, more intimate format.

Sunshine Comedy Café will open this summer at 443 1st Avenue North, on the ground floor of the Princess Martha building in downtown St. Pete, bringing a 35- to 45-seat venue focused on up-close, interactive stand-up.

The 996-square-foot space will be located next to Bar Chinchilla, billed as the city’s smallest bar, and just steps from Central Avenue.

Owner Kenny Garcia says the goal is to create a laid-back, speakeasy-style setting that feels more personal than a traditional comedy club.

Garcia, who also operates Sunshine City Comedy Club on St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Comedy Club, said the smaller setup is intentional.

“I like the intimate model a lot more,” Garcia said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “Everyone is part of the show. It creates a different energy.”

The new venue is expected to open around June, pending final buildout work, which includes adding a bar and configuring the former real estate office to minimize distractions during performances.

Garcia said protecting the experience is a priority, from limiting noise during sets to avoiding interruptions like mid-show check drops.

Unlike larger clubs, Sunshine Comedy Cafe won’t rely on drink minimums or a heavy food program.

Instead, it will offer beer, wine, and coffee, with a focus on the performance itself.

“There’s no minimums and there’s no maximums,” Garcia said with a smile. “Not every night needs to be an $80 night. Sometimes you just want to come enjoy a show.”

Programming will include shows seven nights a week, with open mics, themed nights, and multiple performances on weekends.

Fridays and Saturdays will typically feature a traditional lineup of an opener, feature, and headliner, while weekdays will spotlight local talent.

Garcia said one planned concept, “heavy hitters” night, will highlight some of the strongest comedians in the area at a lower price point.

The venue will also lean into St. Pete’s active open mic scene, with opportunities for newer comedians to get stage time.

“We’re giving people a space to try things out and see what works,” Garcia said. “There’s less pressure here.”

That approach reflects Garcia’s own background. He spent 16 years as a touring stand-up comedian before moving to St. Pete from New York City in 2020.

After years on the road, he shifted his focus to opening clubs and mentoring younger comics.

“I enjoy mentoring more than performing at this point,” Garcia said.

In addition to evening shows, Garcia is considering daytime coffee service, including a program where purchased drinks could help provide free coffee to members of the nearby homeless community.

The opening of Sunshine Comedy Cafe comes at a time when St. Pete’s stand-up scene is exploding, with Side Splitters moving into The Sundial and St. Pete Stand Up opening a club in the Grand Central District.

“With everything happening, my hope is that comedians will want to move here,” Garcia said. “It’s becoming a place where you can actually perform multiple nights a week and build something.”

Follow @sunshinecomedycafe on Instagram for updates on its opening.

Pinguet Partners

Pinguet Partners

Pinguet Partners

Pinguet Partners

Pinguet Partners

Pinguet Partners

A farm-to-table restaurant is coming to the EDGE District of downtown St. Pete.

Casa Origen will open this summer at 937 Central Avenue, the former home of No Vacancy, a retro Florida-themed bar that closed last year after a six-year run.

The restaurant will use organic, nutrient-dense ingredients sourced from local farms across Tampa Bay, with a menu built around minimally processed foods and clean cooking methods that avoid preservatives and seed oils.

Dishes will be prepared using grass-fed tallow or finished with extra virgin olive oil, with no use of processed sugars and a strong commitment to fully traceable sourcing.

Casa Origen is expected to open first for breakfast and lunch, with a counter-service format where customers order at the register before taking a seat.

The daytime menu will include items like burritos, bowls, and salads built around high-protein, whole-food ingredients, along with organic coffee and smoothies.

Dinner service will be introduced shortly after opening, with a more refined menu that incorporates Argentinian influences, including empanadas, chorizo, and grilled meats, while maintaining a focus on clean sourcing and preparation, complemented by a selection of organic wines sourced from small regenerative farms.

Renderings from Spain-based design studio Pinguet Partners show a 1,200-square-foot interior and a 1,400-square-foot outdoor patio with a raw, farm-style feel, built around natural materials like wood and concrete.

The interior is designed with warm tones, stone flooring, and simple, handmade details that give it a relaxed, lived-in feel.

The outdoor patio will feature a large pergola, lounge-style seating, and an outdoor bar serving coffee and smoothies during the day, shifting to a more elevated atmosphere in the evening.

The name Casa Origen reflects the concept’s philosophy, centered on natural food and a welcoming, home-like setting.

More than just a restaurant, Casa Origen aims to redefine how food is experienced in downtown St. Pete. Bringing together quality, transparency, and community in a space designed to feel both elevated and deeply rooted.

Construction is underway, with an opening currently targeted for this summer.

Follow the restaurant on Instagram at @casa.origen for updates.

The Shoppes at Park Place, one of the most popular shopping centers in Pinellas Park, is set to expand.

Located at 7200 U.S. Highway 19 North, the 495,000-square-foot open-air shopping center, which is anchored by Target and the Regal Park Place movie theater, is slated to add a 120-room hotel, a drive-thru bank, and approximately 28,000 square feet of new retail space.

On March 5th, the Pinellas Park Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the site’s Commercial Planned Unit Development plan to allow the new uses.

The commission also approved a conditional use for a drive-thru bank within the General Commercial (B-1) zoning district.

The proposal, submitted by landowner Belleair Development Group, is scheduled to go before the City Council on April 7th for a first reading, followed by a second reading and public hearing.

Plans call for a five-story hotel with a pool to be built on an existing surface parking lot at the southeast corner of the property, between Marshalls and Pickleball Kingdom, which opened in 2025 in a 40,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Conn’s HomePlus.

The limited-service hotel is expected to serve visitors to the nearby Sprowls Horizon Sports Park, a $26.5 million youth sports campus located just south of the shopping center at 4015 62nd Avenue North.

The complex features six baseball and softball fields modeled after Florida spring training venues, a turf soccer field, a central plaza with concessions, a playground, and a rebuilt outdoor hockey rink.

“It will be a national flag specifically geared to serve families coming here for tournaments at the sports park,” Christian Yepes of Belleair Development Group said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “When people come to stay, they’ll have different dining and shopping options.”

Elsewhere on the property, the former Applebee’s site along Park Boulevard is expected to be redeveloped into a 3,053-square-foot bank with a drive-thru.

Two additional retail buildings, measuring 21,500 square feet and 6,525 square feet, are also planned south of BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse in an area currently used for parking.

The property currently includes 3,044 parking spaces. Following construction, that number will decrease to approximately 2,815 spaces, still exceeding the city’s minimum requirement by 519 spaces.

City staff found the proposed uses to be consistent with both the existing approvals and surrounding development patterns.

“The proposed hotel, retail, and drive-thru bank uses are not substantially different from the other approved uses within the overall planned development," the city's staff analysis reads. "It is also consistent with uses in the surrounding area as the subject site sits at the corner of what is likely the busiest intersection of the city at Park Boulevard and US Highway 19 North.”

Yepes said the development team will move into the design phase and begin permitting following final City Council approval later this month.

Belleair Development Group purchased the property for $85 million in 2022 and has since focused on refining the tenant mix.

“We have been very strategic and intentional about our lineup of tenants and creating a family-friendly destination and experience,” Yepes said.

The shopping center occupies the former site of the Pinellas Square Mall, an enclosed mall that opened in 1977, was later rebranded as ParkSide Mall, and closed in 2004. Today, the Shoppes at Park Place is nearly fully leased, with tenants including Petco, Five Guys, Panera Bread, Chipotle, Michaels, Academy Sports, Regal Cinemas, Cold Stone Creamery, Five Below, and others.

BDG Architects

BDG Architects

BDG Architects

BDG Architects

BDG Architects

BDG Architects

BDG Architects

Plans for a new residential tower within the gated waterfront community of Marina Bay in southwest St. Pete were unanimously rejected last week.

St. Petersburg’s Development Review Commission voted to deny both a height variance and a site plan modification for a proposed 12-story, 96-unit condo building on a five-acre vacant parcel on Harbor Way South near Eckerd College.

Since acquiring the 67-acre property from Eckerd College in 2003, developer Reza Yazdani has developed it into a coastal residential community with a deep-water marina and 187 homes, including single-family residences, villas, and condominiums along nearly 2,000 feet of the Intracoastal Waterway.

On Wednesday, Yazdani sought approval for a new 150-foot-tall building, exceeding both current zoning limits and a previously approved plan for the site.

The site was approved in 2005 for a 96-unit residential building with a maximum height of 85 feet. A 2007 citywide rezoning later reduced the allowable height to 36 feet when the property was rezoned to Corridor Residential Suburban (CRS-1).

According to plans presented to the commission, the new $120 million building would include 96 units, the same number approved under the previously approved plan, with 90 units on the third through twelfth floors and six single-story villas along the southern edge.

The condo units would range from 1,500 to 3,050 square feet, with eight two-story penthouses with four bedrooms each.

Resident amenities would include a third-floor deck with a pool, cabanas, and a sports court, as well as an additional rooftop amenity deck.

A 250-space parking garage would occupy the first two levels with additional surface parking along Harbor Way South.

Attorney Brian Aungst of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen, representing the developer, argued the height variance was justified due to what he described as a zoning inconsistency created during the city’s 2007 rezoning.

He said the property had been planned for a higher-density residential building and that the current zoning made it “physically impossible” to construct the previously approved 96 units without additional height.

“This property was an oversight in the citywide rezoning,” Aungst told commissioners, arguing the height restriction created a hardship not caused by the current owner.

However, city staff disagreed.

In its staff report, the Planning Department concluded the request failed to meet the criteria required for a height variance, noting the property can still be reasonably developed under existing approvals.

Staff also noted that the proposed building height was “greatly out of character” with surrounding development, where nearby buildings range from one to seven stories.

“There are no other structures located within a quarter mile of the property with a building height of 150 feet,” the report stated.

Dozens of nearby residents came out to voice their opinion during Wednesday’s meeting.

Opponents argued the project would alter the character of the existing low- and mid-rise waterfront community and said the variance request did not meet the legal standard for hardship.

“This is a self-created hardship,” argued registered opponent Kara Brooks.

She stated that when Yazdani purchased the site for $7.75 million in September 2024, he acknowledged the condo building would be “non-conforming” with the zoning.

There were some proponents of the project as well, including Pinellas County Commissioner Renee Flowers, who submitted a letter of support, reading, “The project’s thoughtful design allows for a slimmer main building than an already approved plan for the site. It will improve open spaces, improve drainage, and increase setbacks from the main building, and the views from the similar condominium buildings in the area will not be compromised.”

Commissioners ultimately sided with staff, focusing on the variance criteria and compatibility with the surrounding area.

“As a developer, you should look at what the rules are and apply those rules,” said Commissioner Charles Flynt. “This isn’t going to kill the city if it doesn’t get a variance.”

Commissioner Joseph Griner echoed staff’s concerns about scale while acknowledging the quality of the proposal.

“Unfortunately for the development height, this is out of character,” said Griner, simultaneously complimenting Yazdani’s development team on their design and presentation of the project.

Despite the denial, the site remains entitled for development under the previously approved plan, meaning a 96-unit residential building up to 85 feet high can still be constructed without a variance.

Yazdani is confident the property will be developed into a high-end residential product, marking the completion of the Marina Bay community.

“We remain convinced Marina Bay Residences will be an outstanding project that will reflect the character of Marina Bay and benefit the entire community,” Yazdani said in a statement to St. Pete Rising. “While we are disappointed by the Development Review Commission’s decision, we will continue to explore our options on moving forward with this landmark project.”

A new bar and club has opened on 22nd Street South, taking over the former Catalyst on the Deuces space at 903 22nd Street South.

Jay Que’s quietly opened in late March next to Sid’s Caribbean Grill and near Heavy’s Restaurant.

The Catalyst on the Deuces closed in February after opening in 2023 in the former Chief’s Creole Cafe space.

Longtime Chief’s owners Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy still own the building.

22nd Street South, known locally as “the Deuces”, has been one of St. Petersburg’s most significant cultural corridors.

During segregation, it served as a thriving Black business district, home to restaurants, clubs, hotels, and entertainment venues that anchored the city’s African American community.

In recent years, the area has seen renewed investment and attention, with local leaders and families like the Brayboys playing a major role in preserving its identity while supporting new businesses and activity along the corridor.

Jay Que’s is still in its soft opening phase but has already been hosting themed parties, DJs, karaoke nights, and live music.

The venue features a full-liquor bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, along with both indoor seating and an outdoor patio.

Throughout the transition from Catalyst to Jay Que’s, Sid’s Caribbean Grill has remained open.

While the restaurant operates as its own business, it is now partnering with Jay Que’s to serve food to patrons, including a newly introduced Sunday brunch.

The menu includes Jamaican favorites like beef patties, turkey wings, oxtails, brown stew or jerk chicken, and goat curry.

Chris, an employee of Jay Que’s, said the new concept has retained much of the previous staff and is focused on staying connected to the surrounding neighborhood.

“What needs to be known is that we are for this community,” he said. “Now that we’re here and we’re a part of it, we ultimately serve them. Every decision that’s being made, the community is the priority.”

However, the transition hasn’t been without some controversy.

After Jay Que’s took over the space, a well-known Louis Armstrong mural on the building’s exterior was painted over, drawing complaints from residents on social media.

In response, Jay Que’s commissioned local artist James “Freeman” Kitchens to create a new mural.

The forthcoming artwork will pay tribute to the Deuces, the Brayboys, and other influential figures in St. Petersburg’s African American history, including rapper Rod Wave and Elder Jordan Sr., founder of the Manhattan Casino.

Other St. Pete natives set to be featured include actress Angela Bassett and boxers Winky Wright and Keith Thurman.

Jay Que’s is currently open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming events.

Eleven aging bungalow-style apartments dating back to 1925 will be demolished and replaced with a new apartment community in the Bartlett Park neighborhood of south St. Pete.

On Wednesday, the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission approved a redevelopment plan and setback variances for the property at 421 15th Avenue South.

Designed by Storyn Studio for Architecture, the project will consist of two buildings arranged around a shared courtyard with a central water feature. Units will range from studios to two-bedroom apartments, starting at 308 square feet to two-bedroom, two-bathroom units measuring up to 734 square feet, with balconies facing the street.

The eastern portion of the site will include a three-story building with a parking garage and eight units on the upper floors. The western portion will feature a two-story building with three units, garage parking, a bicycle storage room, private storage spaces, and a maintenance area.

The approximately $2 million project is being developed by Jay Duncan of Coral Development.

Duncan has owned the property since 2022 and has made a series of improvements over the years.

However, the existing structures were heavily damaged during Hurricane Helene in 2024, taking on several feet of flooding and leaving them beyond repair.

Although the site is zoned NSM-1 (Neighborhood Suburban Multifamily), which would typically allow just three units on the 0.23-acre property, the project is permitted to rebuild 11 units due to its historic use.

City records show the property originally contained 12 dwelling units. A 2024 review of historical property records, known as a Property Card Interpretation, confirmed that 11 of those units were legally established residences.

Because those units existed prior to current zoning limits, the city allows them to be rebuilt at the same density, even though today’s zoning would otherwise permit fewer units.

The property is located in a flood zone, requiring the new buildings to be elevated above base flood elevation. Even with that requirement, the proposed height of 31.9 feet remains well below the 48-foot maximum allowed in the zoning district.

The applicant requested variances to front, side, and rear setbacks to accommodate alley-loaded parking, provide adequate spacing between the two buildings, and create the courtyard layout.

The project will include nine parking spaces, exceeding the eight required by code.

Commissioners mostly supported the proposal, citing its design and the retention of existing housing density.

“This project is really a unicorn,” said Commissioner Tim Clemmons during Wednesday’s meeting. “It’s raising the housing stock, pulling parking on site, and improving the alley.”

Commissioner Sarah Jane Vatleot also supported the design, noting that the layout was thoughtfully planned in relation to nearby properties.

However, not all commissioners agreed. Commissioner Charles Flynt cast the sole opposing vote, arguing that the project could be redesigned to meet setback requirements without variances.

“I understand they have the right to build 11 units, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it if you can’t meet the setbacks,” Flynt said.

Commissioner Michael Kiernan said he felt “conflicted” but ultimately supported the project.

One nearby resident submitted opposition but did not speak at the hearing.

The approval allows the project to move forward, with construction required to begin before April 2029.

Red Bull’s Cliff Diving World Series is coming to Florida for the first time ever, and St. Petersburg will be its debut host. 

The global high diving series will take place June 4th through June 6th at the St. Pete Pier, where professional divers from around the world will compete for prize money and the coveted King Kahekili trophy.

Competition unfolds over three days, beginning with practice dives and preliminary rounds on Thursday, June 4th and Friday, June 5th. Those sessions will not be open to the public.

The main event, featuring additional practice dives, semifinals, and finals, will take place on Saturday, June 6th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is expected to draw roughly 20,000 spectators throughout the day.

The custom dive tower will be installed in the parking lot of the St. Petersburg Museum of History, rising 21 meters (68.8 feet) for female competitors and 27 meters (88.5 feet) for male divers.

In just a few seconds of freefall, athletes can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour while executing complex twists and rotations before entering the water below.

Five international judges will score each dive based on creativity, acrobatic execution, and overall athletic performance.

“There is uncharted territory for the circuit, and history is ready to be written,” the Red Bull website notes. “With the season now in full swing and divers fighting for early positioning in the championship standings, the first-ever winners at this Florida stop will become part of a new chapter in the series.”

Spectators will be able to watch from anywhere on the pier, the waterfront parks, or from boats anchored in the bay.

Large LED screens and jumbotrons will also be set up to enhance viewing throughout the site.

As with most stops on the tour, there is typically no cost to attend, and the event will also be streamed on Red Bull TV.

St. Petersburg is part of a global circuit that will span multiple continents. The season will arrive in Florida following a stop in Bali, Indonesia, before continuing on to Copenhagen, Denmark; Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Polignano a Mare, Italy; and Muscat, Oman.

Disclaimer: This article is an April Fools’ joke and is purely satirical. No real plans exist for an expansion of the St. Pete Pier (at least, not yet!). Additionally, AI was used to generate parts of this story and accompanying images. Thanks for playing along — Happy April Fools’ Day, St. Pete!

A new unsolicited proposal is making waves in downtown St. Petersburg—literally.

According to documents recently submitted to the city and obtained by St. Pete Rising, California-based Blue Current Development Group, is pitching a “Phase 2” expansion of the St. Pete Pier, building on the waterfront destination that opened in 2020.

The concept is positioned as a complementary addition rather than a replacement, extending beyond the existing pier while preserving its current layout.

The focus, according to the proposal, is on immersive experiences that bring visitors closer to Tampa Bay—most notably, underwater manatee viewing pods.

The centerpiece of the plan features a series of submerged, glass-enclosed observation rooms anchored below the water’s surface.

Accessible via a gently sloping walkway and elevator, the pods would allow visitors to sit several feet beneath the bay and observe marine life in real time.

Renderings show circular rooms with panoramic glass walls and low lighting designed to avoid disturbing wildlife.

The pods would be placed in areas known for frequent manatee activity, offering what the development team describes as a “front-row seat” to the animals.

According to the proposal, the structures would also gently warm the surrounding water to create conditions that naturally attract manatees, particularly during cooler months.

“We looked at the pier and asked how we could bring people closer to the water without changing what already works,” said Manny T. Waters, CEO of Blue Current Development Group. “This is about creating new ways to experience Tampa Bay that feel natural to St. Pete.”

Notably, Manny T. Waters’ brother, Wade E. Waters, announced plans last year to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District as a large-scale water park.

Beyond the underwater elements, the St. Pete Pier expansion proposal includes a floating “tidal park” made up of connected platforms that rise and fall with the bay.

Plans call for shaded seating, small food and beverage concepts, and a saltwater wading lagoon using filtered bay water.

The proposal also introduces a slow-moving “lazy river” loop integrated into the expansion, using filtered bay water and a series of floating barriers to create a gentle current.

Framed as a passive recreation feature, the concept would allow visitors to float through portions of the pier while taking in views of the surrounding waterfront at a pace that mirrors St. Pete’s laid-back vibe.

“We wanted to create something that feels uniquely St. Pete,” Waters added. “It’s not a theme park—it’s a place where you can spend an afternoon, whether that’s floating through the bay or just watching the sunset.”

Another feature is a “marine discovery loop,” an elevated walkway extending beyond the current pier head before curving back toward shore.

The path would include interactive exhibits focused on seagrass restoration, marine habitats, and coastal resilience.

Plans also call for a small waterfront amphitheater built slightly below grade into the pier deck.

The space would be oriented toward the bay, with tiered seating designed to frame sunset views while hosting small-scale performances, community events, and educational programming.

The proposal also outlines a limited expansion of retail and dining, with a handful of waterfront concepts designed to complement existing pier tenants. Early ideas include a raw bar and a small café situated on floating platforms.

According to the submission, the total project cost is estimated at $250 million, with funding envisioned through a mix of private capital, sponsorships, and potential public infrastructure partnerships.

The development team describes the concept as “light-touch and environmentally responsive,” with an emphasis on education and passive recreation rather than large-scale commercial development.

City officials confirmed receipt of the proposal but noted it is still in the early stages of review.

“The city has received an unsolicited concept related to a potential pier expansion,” a spokesperson said. “As with any proposal, it will go through an initial evaluation process before any decisions are made.”

Unsolicited proposals allow private groups to bring forward ideas for city-owned land, though moving forward typically requires a broader competitive process.

While some elements of the proposal are more unconventional than others, the idea of expanding the pier has been a recurring topic as the destination continues to draw strong crowds.

For now, the plan remains conceptual. But it offers a glimpse into what a next phase of the pier could look like—even if it includes watching manatees from beneath the surface or floating through the bay on a lazy afternoon.

A new thrift shop is set to open, offering vintage clothes, local art, and a chance to support a good cause.

The Blue Urban Project, a St. Pete-based, veteran-founded nonprofit, is preparing to open a thrift store at 1620 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

The Blue Urban Project Thrift expands the organization’s mission to support marine environmental conservation and uplift military veterans, while creating a steady funding source and a stronger presence in the local community.

Since its founding in 2022, the nonprofit has focused on hands-on work like underwater cleanups, sustainability initiatives, and coastal resilience efforts to improve local waterways, while also providing job opportunities and community programs for veterans.

The roughly 900-square-foot space is located next to Zaytoon Grill and was previously occupied by Bohemian Reves, a local skin care and beauty shop that closed in 2024.

The second-hand store is expected to open in early May and will provide affordable clothing (sorted by color), furniture, kitchenware, oddities, and books.

While The Blue Urban Project was originally funded in part through federal grants tied to environmental initiatives, co-founder Kirsten Hutchings said shifting funding priorities from the federal administration has pushed the group to explore other funding sources.

Nonprofits across the country have faced similar challenges, she noted, prompting what many are calling “The Great Pivot,” a move toward diversified, self-sustaining revenue streams.

“Originally, this shop was not part of our vision,” Hutchings, an Army veteran, who co-founded the group with Raymond Salden in August 2024, told St. Pete Rising. “This shop will serve multiple purposes. It will allow us to be financially stable enough to continue our mission of helping the environment and people,’’ she said.

Not only will a portion of each sale support a good cause, but shoppers will also be able to choose exactly where their money goes, including marine ecosystem restoration, local waterway sustainability projects, and programs supporting veterans and vulnerable populations.

“We are fully transparent and want to give customers that choice,” Hutchings said. “We’re also asking donors to fill out a form so we can share the story and history behind the items.”

The Blue Urban Project partners with other local nonprofits, such as MAR (Mindful Action for Regeneration), which focuses on native tree plantings and coastal cleanups, and The Rota Foundation, which assists charities that support social justice and human rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, homelessness, and other missions.

Through its partner Letts Dive, The Blue Urban Project hosts diver-led underwater cleanups near the St. Pete Pier and St. Pete Yacht Club, and will offer discounted scuba certification classes to thrift customers.

“It’s important to support the organizations that support us and help educate the public about them,” said Hutchings, who received the keys to new thrift store space last week.

Renovations are already underway, including remediating water damage, patching up walls, and removing the pink epoxy flooring, which revealed the original terrazzo beneath.

The shop will feature a living green wall covered with live plants as well as a mural by local artist Daniel “R5” Barojas.

There will also be other pieces of work for sale by Barojas and other artists inspired by Florida’s native cypress trees and swamps.

Beyond retail, the shop will serve as a community resource center.

The nonprofit plans to host free workshops on topics like coastal resilience, sustainable design, and climate justice, while also offering space for local groups to meet and collaborate.

In times of crisis, such as severe weather events, the store is also intended to function as a distribution point for essential goods and services.

Hutchings will oversee daily operations alongside volunteers and interns, including students pursuing science and environmental fields.

True to its mission, the store will not provide plastic bags, instead offering compostable alternatives and encouraging customers to bring reusable bags.

Set to debut in early May, the store will be open Wednesday through Friday from 11 am to 6 pm with weekend hours of 11 am to 7 pm.

“We can’t wait to be part of this amazing community that’s open, caring, and has been good to us and others,” Hutchings said. 

Follow The Blue Urban Project on Facebook and Instagram or visit its website for volunteer opportunities and donation information.

Few bars and restaurants in St. Pete have a legacy quite like Harvey’s 4th Street Grill.

The neighborhood gem has operated at 3121 4th Street North since 1984 and has remained under the same family ownership since day one.

Harvey’s will celebrate its 42nd anniversary this Wednesday, April 1st with a full moon party featuring live music from local musicians Lee Farber, Bernie Williams, Sarasota Slim, and Amy Lynn Dixon.

Shortly after opening in April 1984, owner Dan Harvey Jr. hosted the first full moon party, a monthly event with live music and fresh Maine lobsters.

The gatherings quickly became a tradition and remain a defining part of the restaurant’s history. This week’s celebration will echo the hundreds of full moon parties held over the years.

“Nothing has changed here in the past 40 years…St. Pete was dying for a place like this when we opened,” Harvey Jr. said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “When we talk about places like The Vinoy, The Don CeSar, and Sunset Country Club, I think we’re one little part of that historic fabric of St. Pete.”

The 42-year-old restaurant is known for its consistent food, approachable prices, and neighborhood atmosphere. It has also built a reputation as a living museum of St. Pete history.

Harvey describes the business as a “vintage restaurant,” noting that its floors were made from salvaged wood from The Vinoy’s original ballroom, while the patio ceiling incorporates materials from the Soreno Hotel, a 1922 landmark often described as the city’s first million-dollar hotel.

The front doors were salvaged from Pass-a-Grille’s Sunshine School before its demolition in the mid-1980s, and the restaurant’s iconic red railing once belonged to Disston Junior High School.

Posters, photos, and artwork throughout the space highlight other local landmarks and longtime events, including Sunken Gardens, Webb’s City, the Mainsail Art Festival, and the Festival of the States.

The interior is loosely modeled after a 1980s-era TGI Friday’s, where Harvey Jr. gained management experience after college. Today, the restaurant feels like a time capsule, with wood-paneled walls, fabric ceilings, and a raised bar at its center.

“One of the best things my uncle ever told me was that when he first opened the restaurant, he wanted it to look 30 years old already, like a lived-in space,” said Rosie Meyer, the restaurant’s business manager and Harvey Jr.’s niece, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

According to Harvey Jr. and longtime staff, another defining feature is the from-scratch kitchen and emphasis on fresh ingredients.

The restaurant goes through 700 to 800 pounds of freshly caught grouper each week, which is filleted in-house for sandwiches, nuggets, and entrées. The remaining fish is used for grouper chowder.

“The consistency of the food is directly related to the consistency of the cooks we’ve been able to employ. Dan has created a place where people enjoy working and feel compensated,” said Kitchen Manager Scotty Gross, who has worked at Harvey’s since it opened. “And we’ve never sacrificed price for quality.”

In addition to seafood, the menu includes American classics such as cheeseburgers, pasta, soups, and salads. Sunday brunch remains the busiest service of the week.

Several employees have been with the restaurant for decades, with some surpassing 20 or 30 years. Harvey Jr.’s 98-year-old father can still be seen helping out nearly every day.

“This place has been a phenomenon since day one. It was, and still is, one of a kind 42 years later. There are people who come here every single day, creating friendships and enjoying the atmosphere,” Gross added.

Before opening each day, it’s common to see a line of regulars form outside the door, eager to continue the restaurant’s long-running tradition.

Harvey’s 4th Street Grill is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit Harvey’s website and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates on full moon parties and food specials.

A new residential tower in downtown St. Petersburg has reached a major milestone.

KAST Construction has topped out 3rd & 3rd, a 33-story, 262-unit luxury apartment tower rising at 235 3rd Street South.

The project, located on the northwest corner of 3rd Avenue South and 3rd Street South, sits directly across from the Publix-anchored University Village shopping center.

Developed by St. Pete-based Echelon in partnership with Third Lake Partners, the tower was first announced by St. Pete Rising in 2022.

The project received City Council approval later that year, with construction beginning in early 2024.

The topping out comes roughly a year after vertical construction began, following one of the largest foundation pours ever completed in the city.

“We’re proud to reach this milestone on 3rd & 3rd. Delivering a 33-story tower in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg takes an incredible amount of coordination, and it’s been exciting to see this project rise over the past few years,” said Kristine Retetagos, Senior Vice President and Division Manager at KAST Construction. “We’re looking forward to bringing it to completion and adding another high-quality residential community to the City of St. Pete.”

Once complete, 3rd & 3rd will feature 262 apartments ranging from studios to large two-story penthouse units on the top floor.

The building will also include a 330-space parking garage and approximately 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, which is currently available for lease through Axxos Commercial.

Residents will have access to an expansive eighth-floor amenity deck with an outdoor pool, cabanas, fire pits, and a large TV wall.

Additional amenities include a Trackman golf simulator, fitness center, community kitchen, coworking spaces, and conference rooms.

The tower features large angular balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a modern exterior with dark accents along the parking garage and base.

The project is expected to receive its temporary certificate of occupancy in October or November, with move-ins to follow shortly after.

3rd & 3rd marks the fourth collaboration between KAST Construction and Echelon.

In 2024, the team completed Park & Main, a 17-story apartment tower at Echelon City Center in north St. Pete. KAST is currently working with Echelon on the 14-story, 363-unit ClearView apartment tower, also at Echelon City Center.

Echelon is also planning a 31-story twin-tower apartment development on the west side of downtown St. Pete at 800 2nd Avenue South.

The project will feature 824 market-rate apartments, more than 35,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and over 1.5 million square feet of total development.

The project has been approved and a groundbreaking is expected later this year.

The City of St. Pete has begun reviewing proposals submitted to redevelop the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District, a process that will determine the future of one of downtown’s most significant redevelopment sites.

The city received nine proposals in February from development teams seeking to transform the site, which is currently home to Tropicana Field and a swath of surface parking lots.

The land was historically home to the Gas Plant neighborhood before its displacement in the 1980s and is now being reconsidered for a large-scale mixed-use district that could include housing, jobs, cultural spaces, and public amenities.

After an unsolicited proposal to redevelop the property was submitted by Ark Ellison Horus, other groups were invited to submit alternative proposals through a competitive process aimed at identifying a team capable of delivering a project aligned with the city’s goals.

In addition to physical development, proposals were expected to address community benefits, economic opportunity, and long-term public value.

Three city officials — Housing and Neighborhood Services Administrator Amy Foster, City Development Administration and Finance Managing Director Beth Herendeen, and Assistant City Administrator Tom Greene — have completed initial evaluations of the submissions.

While additional city staff may also review the proposals as the process moves forward, these are the only three evaluations that have been submitted to date.

“The process of reviewing and shortlisting the proposal received is underway. At this stage, staff evaluations are an initial review of the submissions and do not represent a final selection of shortlisted proposals,” the city said in a statement to St. Pete Rising. “These evaluations will be forwarded to Mayor Welch for his consideration and determination.”

Eight proposals ultimately moved through the evaluation process after one team, Tempo Novus, withdrew its submission.

Across all three evaluators, the same four proposals were recommended for shortlisting: ARK Ellison Horus, The Burg Bid, Foundation Vision Partners, and the Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA).

The proposal from ARK Ellison Horus, a group comprised of ARK Invest, Ellison Development, and Horus Construction, outlines a large-scale mixed-use district anchored by housing, office space, cultural institutions, and research-focused development.

The plan includes more than 3,700 residential units across a mix of market-rate, workforce, affordable, and senior housing, along with an estimated $6.8 billion in investment and tens of thousands of jobs.

Evaluators described the proposal as detailed and comprehensive, noting its strong alignment with the city’s redevelopment goals and emphasis on job creation, community benefits, and long-term economic activity.

Questions remain around infrastructure funding and how the development team would execute a project of this scale.

The Burg Bid proposal, led by Blake Investment Partners in partnership with the Related Group, Elliott Investment Management, Blue Sky Communities, Greystar, Driftwood Hospitality, and Stadler Development, also received strong marks for its scope and financial structure.

The plan includes approximately 3,600 affordable and workforce housing units, along with a mix of cultural, educational, and commercial uses.

Evaluators highlighted the proposal’s relatively high land value and limited reliance on city funding, as well as its commitment to directing a significant share of contracts to local and minority-owned businesses.

The development would be built in three phases over roughly 15 years.

While reviewers praised the strength of the team and overall concept, they noted that more detail is needed around job creation and certain aspects of the plan’s execution.

Foundation Vision Partners, led by Will Conroy of Backstreets Capital, Alex Schapira, a former Hines development partner, and Anddrikk Frazier of Best Source Consulting, in partnership with Gensler and Stantec, took a different approach.

Their plan centers on infrastructure and master planning, with individual parcels sold and developed over time.

Under this model, the city would retain greater control of the site and guide development through phased land sales.

Evaluators said the approach could maximize land value and provide flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions, but also carries risks, including potential inefficiencies and less certainty about final outcomes.

The proposal includes an estimated $239 million in infrastructure investment and a projected $510 million in land value.

The Pinellas County Housing Authority, in partnership with Ascension Real Estate Partners and STORYN Studio for Architecture, submitted a more targeted proposal focused on a single parcel within the district.

The plan calls for the development of 80 affordable senior housing units.

While limited in scope, evaluators said the proposal addresses a clear community need and could be delivered relatively quickly by an experienced team.

Some concerns were raised about its small scale and how it fits into the broader redevelopment of the site.

Four proposals were not recommended for the next stage: Freedom Communities, Logical Sites, the Reparations Land Trust proposal from the Uhuru movement, and Tampa Bay Boom.

In general, evaluators cited similar reasons for not advancing these submissions, including a lack of detail, unclear implementation strategies, and limited or unproven development experience.

Several proposals focused on smaller portions of the site or presented conceptual ideas without sufficient information on financing, phasing, or execution.

Others lacked a defined development team or track record, making it difficult for reviewers to assess their feasibility.

The next step in the process will be Mayor Ken Welch’s review of the evaluations and determination of which proposals, if any, will be formally shortlisted.

The city has indicated that additional details on next steps will be released in the coming weeks.

A new restaurant from the owner of Dead Bob’s and DeLosa’s Pizza has quietly debuted in west St. Pete, offering Italian sandwiches, pizza, and more.

Bob’s Side Piece is now open at 6716 Central Avenue, taking over the former home of Dead Bob’s, which recently relocated down the road to 6475 Central Avenue.

The concept is a collaboration between Dead Bob’s owner Ben Scherlis and Jim Breazeale, whose family has operated DeLosa’s Pizza in John’s Pass Village for more than four decades.

The idea for Bob’s Side Piece comes out of a longtime friendship between the two restaurateurs and a desire to keep the original Dead Bob’s space active.

As Scherlis previously put it, the concept came together organically, combining Breazeale’s New York-style pizza roots with the kind of comfort food that made Dead Bob’s a neighborhood staple.

At its core, Bob’s Side Piece offers straightforward, affordable bar food with a strong Italian influence.

The menu offers a wide range of pizzas, sandwiches, and small bites.

Guests will find calzones, strombolis, wings, salads, and a lineup of stacked sandwiches, including cheesesteaks, Italian hoagies, and more.

The Chicken Cutlet a la Vodka features a thin, crispy cutlet topped with house-made vodka sauce and melted fresh mozzarella, served on a roll from Liscio’s Bakery in New Jersey. The Roast Pork Italiano includes sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, and long hots, also served on a Liscio’s Bakery roll.

Around five specialty pies are available, such as The Works, loaded with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. The Ultimate White comes from truffle sauce, mozzarella, prosciutto, porcini mushrooms, and goat cheese.

Guests can also order pizza by the slice or as a whole pie, with a selection of more than 20 toppings to choose from.

Prices for slices start at $3.15, specialty pies around $26, and sandwiches generally ranging from about $12 to $16.

More items are expected to roll out in the coming weeks as the team moves beyond its soft opening phase.

Plans include rotating pasta specials, additional appetizers, and expanded sandwich offerings.

The space includes both indoor seating and a patio, along with a full liquor bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails.

Bob’s Side Piece is the latest addition under the broader Dead Bob’s umbrella, which now includes the relocated flagship on Central Avenue, Dead Bob’s Too in Tampa, and another concept in the works at the Elk’s Lodge on Madeira Beach.

For now, the restaurant is open daily, operating from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, as it continues to ease into a full launch.

A controversial 21-story apartment tower planned for downtown St. Pete will move forward after the City Council voted Thursday to deny an appeal challenging its approval.

The $134 million project, known as The Pelican, has been proposed by St. Pete-based Stadler Development and would replace seven existing apartment buildings on a 1.3-acre site near the Hollander Hotel and Trinity Lutheran Church along 5th Avenue North between 4th and 5th Streets.

Plans call for a 370-unit residential tower with 3,819 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a 485-space parking garage.

The appeal was filed by local historic preservation advocacy group Preserve the ‘Burg following a January approval by the city’s Development Review Commission.

Under city procedures, the burden was on the group to demonstrate that the project failed to comply with the city’s Land Development Regulations.

During Thursday’s hearing, Preserve the ‘Burg argued that the project’s height of 212 feet, scale, and overall intensity are incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood.

Preserve the Burg Executive Director Manny Leto and Advocacy Co-Chair Bill Hermann, joined by others, also highlighted how the site is located within the Downtown St. Petersburg National Register Historic District, bounded by 5th Avenue North, Beach Drive, Central Avenue, and 9th Street North.

However, those buildings are not individually designated as historic landmarks, meaning they are not protected from demolition under current regulations.

Representing the developer, Trenam Law land use attorney Don Mastry countered that the project complies with all applicable city codes, including those governing height, density, and compatibility.

“The worst thing a city can do is have laws and not follow it,” said Mastry. “The opponents want the buildings to receive the same [local landmark status] protection without going through the designation process.”

He emphasized that multiple city departments and review bodies had already determined the project met the city’s requirements.

Several members of City Council voiced discomfort with the scale of the project and its potential impact on existing residents.

“I haven’t heard a resident say they appreciate this development,” said Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders. “A developer can build anywhere; those people who will be displaced cannot just live anywhere.”

Others acknowledged that while the project may raise concerns, the council’s role is to apply existing code.

Councilmember Lisset Hanewicz said the project meets the criteria, though she noted the code could be interpreted in different ways.

The Pelican is designed at a 7.0 floor area ratio (FAR), the highest level permitted under DC-2 zoning, but only with the use of bonuses. The city’s land development regulations state that in DC-2, a base FAR is 3.0 is allowed by right, increases up to 5.0 go through a streamlined review process, and anything above 5.0 up to 7.0 requires a public hearing.

To reach 7.0 FAR, the developer is applying a combination of prescribed FAR bonuses, including contributions to the city’s Housing Capital Improvements Projects fund, the use of transfer of development rights, and incentives tied to workforce housing, sustainability, and streetscape improvements.

Councilmember Gina Driscoll pointed out that without those bonuses, the building would be significantly smaller, and emphasized that council approval is required for the increased intensity.

“That’s why you are here,” Driscoll said. “They [your client] were hoodwinked and made to believe this was a slam dunk, and it is not.”

After four hours of discussion, Driscoll made a motion to approve the appeal just after 9:00 p.m. The motion required five votes to pass but received only four.

Driscoll, Figgs-Sanders, Hanewicz, and Richie Floyd voted in favor of the appeal, while Copley Gerdes, Corey Givens, and Mike Harting voted to uphold the project’s approval. Brandi Gabbard was absent.

The vote fell one short of the supermajority required, allowing the Development Review Commission’s original approval to stand.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, many residents described the building as “grotesque” and part of the “high-rise disease” taking over the city. Some mentioned an increase in traffic could present more safety issues for one-way streets like 5th Avenue North. 

While a large number of residents opposed the project, several supporters also attended, including former City Council member Robert Blackmon.

Blackmon said Preserve the Burg “deserves more funding,” arguing the focus should be on proactively investing in properties they want to protect before they deteriorate, rather than scrambling to appeal projects at the last minute.

Christie Bruner, VP of Advocacy at the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and Jason Mathis, CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, also spoke in favor of the project, highlighting how it would contribute to the local economy and activate the streetscape. 

With the appeal denied, the project can proceed, though a final appeal could still be filed within 30 days.

One of the area’s only organizations serving individuals with disabilities and their families has opened a larger home in St. Petersburg.

On Wednesday, Parc Center for Disabilities celebrated the completion and dedication of the Tom and Mary James Children's Services Center at 3151 73rd Street North, just off Tyrone Boulevard.

For over 70 years, the non-profit has helped children and adults with developmental disabilities through education, employment, housing, and life skills programs. Each year, the organization serves over 800 individuals in need.

The new 14,000-square-foot facility, which officially opens in mid-April, will house the Discovery Learning Center preschool, Family Focus Early Intervention Services, and Caregiver Relief Services.

Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a large lobby, in addition to classrooms and offices with large doorways and state-of-the-art security.

The classrooms are specifically designed for different age groups, serving children two months to five years old.

The rooms feature reading nooks, indoor playsets, sensory toys and walls, and creative play areas.

Three outdoor playgrounds include specialized equipment and ramps.

There’s also a laundry and storage room, a nurse’s office and clinic, an art supply room, a quiet room, administration offices, a full kitchen, and a therapy room.

In addition to day care and preschool, the center will offer programming beyond the traditional school day, including weekend and summer camps, providing year-round education and care for children.

Parc launched its “Raise the Roof!” capital campaign in 2021 with a goal of raising $10 million to fund the new center and expand its programs.

Local philanthropists Tom and Mary James kicked off the campaign with a $2 million donation, while State Rep. Linda Chaney helped secure $1.5 million in state funding in 2022.

An additional $500,000 appropriation is in place for this year, Chaney said during the event.

To date, the organization has raised approximately $8.2 million.

“It positions us to serve families for decades to come in a truly state-of-the-art facility,” Parc Board Chair Joel Manings said during the ribbon-cutting event, acknowledging the funding contributions that made the project possible.

The new facility was built on the site of Parc’s former administration building, originally constructed in the 1960s and demolished in December 2023 after becoming too costly to maintain.

General contractor Ranon Inc. broke ground on the new building in 2024.

The project not only marks a new chapter for the organization, but also progress for the community at large, a change that Parc President and CEO Michelle Detweiler has wanted to see for quite some time.

“It takes a village,” said Detweiler. “My family started supporting this organization back in the 1960s when my older sister was born with developmental disabilities, and there was nothing for children back then.”

She explained how her parents were advised to put her sister in a state-run institution.

“That wasn't acceptable for our family and many other families,” she said.

Today, Parc is helping ensure families have the resources, support, and opportunities that once didn’t exist, right here in St. Petersburg.

For more information on the Parc Center for Disabilities, head to parc-fl.org.

A new restaurant opening in downtown St. Pete in May could be a serious contender for the city’s first Michelin star.

Blending French technique, Nordic influence, and Japanese ingredients, Mei will take over the 2,700-square-foot space at 320 3rd Street South, formerly home to Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi, which closed earlier this year.

Bento was founded by brothers Jimmy and Johnny Tung, who are also backing Mei.

Executive Chef Alex Chamberlain will lead the kitchen, transitioning from his role as Chef de Cuisine at Michelin-starred Kōsen in Tampa.

The restaurant is a deeply personal project for Chamberlain, named after his sister.

“My sister has always meant home to me, and Mei is a way to invite St. Pete into our version of home,’" says Chamberlain. “Our goal at Mei is to make you feel like you're visiting a lifelong friend, sitting around a dinner table and sharing a meal and bottle of wine reminiscing over shared memories and plans for new ones.”

Chamberlain’s background includes time in Denver at Michelin-starred Beckon, where he trained in classical French and Nordic cuisine.

That experience now shapes Mei’s approach, which combines European techniques with Japanese ingredients and cooking methods like binchotan grilling, alongside in-house fermentation, koji aging, dry aging, and fire-based cooking.

“After coming back to Florida, I’ve found the community in St.Pete to be one of the most supportive and interesting cities in the state,” says Chamberlain. “I really wanted to bring my experiences from Colorado, the ethos and intentionality of service, to the same areas that I grew up in.”

The restaurant will offer two distinct dining formats.

The Living Room, a 50-seat communal space, will feature an à la carte menu with an optional prix fixe experience.

The Kitchen Counter, with just eight seats, will provide a more intimate, chef-guided tasting menu designed to feel like a private dinner party.

At its core, Mei is guided by a philosophy of “food as poetry,” with an emphasis on seasonality and emotional connection.

That approach extends to its sustainability efforts, including whole ingredient utilization, preservation techniques to reduce waste, partnerships with local farms and fishermen, composting, and biodegradable packaging.

“Focusing on locality and foraging, along with preservation, Mei is a kitchen celebrating Florida, and a restaurant celebrating genuinely warm hospitality,” says Chamberlain.

The beverage program will be led by Benjamin Coutts, a Michelin-awarded Sommelier of the Year, who most recently worked at Soseki in Winter Park.

The space itself has been redesigned by Jacob Portillo of Omei Design Studio, drawing inspiration from Nordic cabins and Japanese teahouses.

The interior features natural materials, a neutral palette, and organic textures, intended to mirror the tone of the cuisine.

Mei is backed by Orlando-based restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung, whose portfolio includes Kōsen and TANTO in Tampa, as well as Zōtō and Yūgen in Sarasota.

The group also recently announced Tokyo Swim Club, a rooftop concept planned for Ybor City.

“Chef Alex has done a tremendous job elevating the guest experiences at both Kōsen and Tantō,” says Johnny Tung. “We’re excited to give him this opportunity in St. Petersburg where the food scene is coming alive.”

Mei will be open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, with Chef’s Counter experiences offered on select evenings.

A waitlist is now live on the restaurant’s website, with additional updates being shared via Instagram.