Green Bench Monthly Vol. 8, Issue 7, July 2023

From the Bench

A note from the Publishers

Hello, friends. We are now officially in the dog days of summer when we find ourselves gravitating towards even the tiniest patch of shade. That, combined with shopping and shortcuts, is what makes arcades so attractive. Read all about them in this month's deep dive into St. Pete's history (pg. 6). Get to know Natty Moss Bond, a veteran of Tampa Bay’s post-punk rock scene and a successful multimedia folk artist (pg. 11). Enjoy the great indoors at PAVA's Cool Art Show (pg. 12). The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay offers alternative therapies to improve mental health, healing, and suicide prevention (pg. 14). CASK wants to build you an accessory dwelling unit (pg. 16). Plus, there’s plenty on the horizon in Downtown Developments (pg. 20).

First, we are excited to introduce you to our talented new contributors. We have three new writers (Monica Kile, Lynn Waddell, and Emily Harris) and two new photographers (Keith Kenney and Chris Ryan). All five work, live and play in St. Pete and love it here just as much as we do. We are thrilled to have them on our team and think their work speaks for itself. We hope you enjoy this issue!

Till next time, Ashley & Tony

All are welcome on this bench.

The history of the green benches is layered. For some, it is a reminder of a painful period of racism and segregation. To others, it is a symbol of welcomeness and hospitality. We carry this name to shine a light on our city’s history and in celebration of those who work tirelessly towards a more inclusive St. Pete. To read more about our story and the history of the green benches visit greenbenchmonthly.com/about.

Ibis at North Shore. Photo by City of St. Petersburg

Tony and Ashley Sica Publishers / Owners

The Era of the Arcade: Shade, Shopping, and a Shortcut

By Monica Kile, Historian and Tour Guide with I Love the Burg Tours

French architect Bertrand Lemoine called the period from 1786-1935 in Europe the l’ère des passages couverts, or the Era of the Arcades, in reference to the grand shopping arcades that once graced the continent. These covered passages, characterized by the consecutive series of collonaded arches that define the term arcade, later came to be associated more with the shops that filled the spaces between arches, than with the arches themselves.

St. Petersburg had its own Era of the Arcade, a period that lasted from roughly 1920 to 1927, when at least 11 arcades operated simultaneously in the city, most within a three-block span straddling Central Avenue. Like all trends, the arcades enjoyed a heyday, then fell out of favor, and once again are appreciated for their charm, utility, and uniqueness.

In addition to protection from the scorching sunshine and torrential downpours that mark St. Petersburg summers, arcades also offered walkers a convenient shortcut between blocks, and entrepreneurs a place to start out. By dividing a building into multiple small shops accessed by a central passageway, arcades offered small, affordable spaces for new businesses. Often referred to as booths or stalls, the stores were usually 20 feet deep, rather than the traditional 100 feet of a full-sized store. The space is perfect for flower shops, hat stores, fruit markets, real estate offices, candy stores, and barber shops.

Train tickets, a hotel, a theater

St. Pete’s first arcade was built just after the turn of the last century; you could buy a train ticket from an Atlantic Coast Line agent there in 1903. By 1910, it was joined by the Tonnelier Arcade, with the Arcade Hotel on its second floor, on the 200 block of Central Avenue. By 1920, George Gandy (of bridge fame) added an arcade to his existing La Plaza

Theater on Central Avenue and 6th Street. Over the next several years, nearly a dozen new arcades would be built downtown. The Era of the Arcade had arrived.

In 1923, the striking Alhambra Arcade was built on the corner of First Avenue N and Sixth Street. With a central courtyard, tinted stucco, and high arched windows, the Alhambra was meant to evoke Spanish elegance. Its interior courtyard could be accessed via arcades from both Fifth Street and First Avenue, making this the first of two L-shaped arcades in the city. The second, the Taylor Arcade, was built in 1925 by “Handsome Jack” Taylor, builder of the Rolyat Hotel (today’s Stetson College of Law). Designed by prominent architects Kiehnel and Elliot,

For more photos and a complete list of arcade construction and demolition dates visit greenbenchmonthly.com /arcades

Alhambra Arcade 1925. Turner Music Company at 16 6th St. N.

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History

the L-shaped Taylor Arcade provided additional store frontage, with the added bonus of a more scenic route around a corner – a boon to shop owners who enjoyed the frequent passersby that took advantage of it.

Built on a diagonal

Arcades set on a diagonal proved to be even more convenient, significantly cutting the time it took to walk between blocks. Users of the Florida and Magnolia arcades knew this well. One could enter the Florida Arcade on the 400 block of Central Avenue (still open today) and walk to the alley. There, one could continue straight through the second half of the Florida Arcade on First Avenue N or cut diagonally through the Magnolia Arcade, which ended next to the Open Air Post Office. The Magnolia, named for the graceful trees located in front of the building, was home to the popular Bill’s Shoe Repair and local institution Kauffman’s Jewelers for more than 60 years. One tenant reminisced that while customers waited, they could have the rubber insert in their “fountain pen changed for 50 cents by a guy named Balls of Fire.” The Magnolia and the north side of the Florida Arcade were both demolished in 1996 and remain empty lots today.

The building of the Central, the Crislip, the Green-Richman, and the Snell Arcades rounded out the 1920s Arcade Era. The latter three,

along with the southern half of the Florida Arcade, remain intact and open today. Many of the original arcades were enclosed over the years, their interior walls demolished to create one large space. In this way, the Taylor Arcade became the second location of the Tramor Cafeteria in 1934. Likewise, the former Mitchell Arcade, built in 1925 on First Avenue N and Sixth Street (site of today’s courthouse), became the Dixie Cafeteria in 1929, one of the most popular eating establishments in the city for more than 25 years. (The Era of the Arcade, cont. on pg. 8)

Florida Arcade, 464 1st Ave. N., 1940.

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History

The remaining part of the Florida Arcade, 400 block of Central. Photos by Chris Ryan

Restoration of a beauty

The stunning Snell Arcade, also designed by Kiehnel and Elliott in 1926, later suffered the indignity of becoming a Walgreen’s drugstore, and then quotidian office space. Its Spanish tile floors were covered in carpeting, decorative columns topped by European statues were removed, the mezzanine level with its soaring skylight was closed in to create a second floor, and its enormous mosaic tile rendering of a Venetian church was hidden away in storage. Fortunately for the citizens of St. Petersburg, the Snell Arcade was lovingly restored in the early 1980s. Anyone can now walk through the strikingly ornate passage and feel like they’ve stepped into a Venetian palazzo. Ironically, the Snell Arcade, arguably the most beautiful building standing in St. Petersburg today, was initially criticized by residents in the 1920s because its arcade wasn’t as good a shortcut as that of its predecessor, a wood-frame building with an arcade set on the diagonal.

Most of the 1920s arcades were eventually demolished during the downtown doldrums of the 1960s to the early 1990s, often for parking lots that the city hoped would spur the return of shoppers lured away from downtown by the spacious parking lots of suburban shopping centers. The Crislip Arcade, built in 1925 by a prominent local mortician, narrowly missed a similar fate in the real-estate boom of the early 2000s, when it was proposed for demolition to make way for a high-rise condo. Luckily, a creative alternative was reached by preservationists, artists, Realtors, and the property owner, and the space was revived with art galleries and boutiques. Today, it is the centerpiece of the most vibrant block of Central Avenue. Nearby, the attractive Green-Richman Arcade still serves as a shortcut for office workers along Mirror Lake going for a quick bite to eat on Central Avenue.

(The Era of the Arcade, cont. from pg. 7)

Left: Snell Arcade lobby interior, c1929

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History

Right: Snell Arcade , 2023

Photo by Chris Ryan

New pass-throughs

The concept of the shortcut through blocks may be making a comeback in St. Petersburg as two new developments in the Edge District make use of the “paseo,” a walkway or promenade between buildings. Architect Everald Colas of Storyn Architecture, designers of the Moxy Hotel currently being built on Central Avenue near 13th Street, noted: “Paseo and arcades are similar in spirit. They are snuck between buildings as a respite, shortcut, or a unique ground-floor activation. The term, as used in our project at the Moxy, was inspired by the Crislip and Snell arcades, as these were tertiary spaces that allowed someone to move north-south in between buildings.”

Could the paseo usher in a new Era of the Arcades? One can dream. Shade, shopping, and a shortcut – what’s not to love?

Green-Richman Arcade, 600 block of Central, 1925.

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History

Green-Richman Arcade, 2023. Photo by Chris Ryan

People of St. Pete: Natty Moss Bond

By Lynn Waddell

St. Pete is celebrated for its fabulous weather, beautiful vistas, world-class food scene, and thriving cultural atmosphere but the people of St. Pete truly make this city something special. In appreciation, each month Green Bench shines a light on one of the many people that make St. Pete unique.

She’s a veteran of Tampa Bay’s post-punk rock scene and a successful multi-media folk artist. But at her core, St. Petersburg’s Natty Moss Bond is a witty storyteller who’s continually inventing new ways to share her tales. Natty came to Pinellas County as a young bride from Asheville, N.C., in 1980. She fell in love with the beaches and the welcoming music scene. Within a few years, the waifish 4-feet 10-inch tall woman with a mane of red hair became a fixture on local stages. As the lead singer of the band Multi Color House, her powerful voice rocked downtown’s Club Detroit and other area clubs.

Tales of the Road

After Multi Color House disbanded, Bond sang with Ronny Elliott & the Nationals, Sparky’s Nightmare, and the Dirty Spoons and Trash. She sat in on more recording sessions than she can count. Over the years, her bands opened for performers such as Wilco, Cindy Lauper, and the late actor River Phoenix’s band Aleka’s Attic, which comes with a story. Bond recalls that Phoenix initially dismissed her. Being a woman in a largely man’s domain wasn’t always easy. “After I heard them play,” she says, “I told him I was surprised, because I heard that they stank.”

Trash to Treasure

For her day job, she’s worked everywhere from an auto body shop to a St. Petersburg catalog company. In between, she has found time to create folk art made from discarded objects. Hence, her art business is called Rubbish.

After moving from the beach to south St. Petersburg in 1991, she made picture frames from scrap wood and sold them to local shops. While working at the catalog company, she got the idea to reuse the mounds of discarded plastic sheeting for greeting cards. She cuts out words and images from old magazines and books and sews them behind the plastic to create one-of-a-kind cards sold in shops from Los Angeles to New York to Miami.

Mixing it Up

Bond also makes collage shrines of everyone from Elvis Presley to the patron saint of dogs. She cuts up tin cans to make earrings, Christmas ornaments, and shingles for birdhouses, which she also paints with whimsical stories.

Although she no longer performs regularly, she never shies from singing at benefits for fellow musicians, artists, and friends. She helped organize several charity events and has performed at more than a dozen.

Clay Affirmations

Despite her decades of living in Florida, Bond’s twang is still as fresh as mountain air, and her stories of growing up on a farm frequently fall from the tip of her paint brush. She once painted an entire series based on chickens and how and why she hates them.

Her primary medium at the moment is clay. When she isn’t working part time at Safety Harbor Arts and Music Center or Fabric Smart, filling in for instructor Jan Richardson at the Morean Center for Clay, or giving lessons at Craftsman House Gallery, she is making pottery that’s sold in area galleries. She tops each piece with a unique hand-painted message – an affirmation, the joy of a frozen Snickers, or whatever story comes to her mind.

Photo by Keith Kenney

Natty holding one of her greeting cards at Craftsman House

Photo by Lynn Waddell

PAVA Cool Art Show Stay Cool and Enjoy Great Works of Art

By Suzanne Driscoll

If you’re a fan of the many outdoor art shows offered throughout St. Pete, it’s disappointing that there aren’t many during the hot summer months. Rest assured you can look forward to the annual PAVA Cool Art Show held in the cool and comfortable Coliseum on July 22 and 23.

The show started back in 1988 when a group of local artists got together to commiserate that there were no art festivals to showcase their work during the summer. They formed the Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA) and launched the first Cool Art Show at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

“This is a juried show, and this year we had 90 applicants for 62 booths,” reports PAVA President and show chairperson Linda Stump. “Our judges consist of museum curators and art professors at local universities. We are attracting more and more artists every year and hope to expand our reach to other parts of the state in the future.”

Fun for All Ages

Be sure to bring along the whole family as there will be many art activities for kids. Back by popular demand will be a “scribble wall” where future artists can express themselves freely. Elementary art teacher Lauren Miller will lead other creative activities such as making foil marker prints, reverse perspective galleries, optical illusion weaving and inkless printmaking.

For all ages, award-winning artist Lorraine Potocki will demonstrate techniques for pastels on Saturday. Rebecca Skelton, a St. Pete artist and adjunct faculty member at St. Petersburg College, will demonstrate figure drawing on Sunday. She will also provide a free, 10-minute portrait for any show attendee.

For a Good Cause

PAVA donates to the Pinellas County Regional National Art Awards and the Pinellas Education Foundation, where high school students receive scholarships for art training. PAVA artists have also done plein air painting at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, where their finished work was for sale on site. You can view and purchase members’ artwork at their Cool Art Shop in Dunedin, where special exhibits in the past had themes such as a “Clothing Optional” and “Photographs and Memories.”

“We look forward to seeing everyone at the Coliseum in July and appreciate the great support we receive from art lovers throughout the St. Pete community,” Stump says.

The free Cool Art Show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 22 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 23. Visit pava-artists.org/cool-art-show to view the entire schedule of activities. The Coliseum is at 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. The Cool Art Shop is at 1240 County Road 1 in Dunedin in the Winn-Dixie Plaza. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

The annual PAVA Cool Art Show held in the cool and comfortable Coliseum on July 22 and 23. Photos courtesy of PAVA

PAVA Cool Art Show will feature demonstrations by local artists and activities for all ages.

The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay: A Force For Art

By Emily Harris

The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay (VACTB) has been a staple for military veterans, first responders, and their families for the last decade, offering alternative therapies through the arts in the name of mental health, healing, and suicide prevention.

“I want to make this a legacy for Tampa Bay,” says Maj. Mack Macksam, who served for 20 years in the U.S. Army. Since then, he has made the Tampa Bay area his home, dedicating his time to serving the community. “Before retiring from the U.S. Army, my last assignment was training future Army officers at USFSP (University of South Florida St. Petersburg),” he said. “While running with our cadets one early morning, I realized I had never seen an art center that focused on military and

veteran artists. My thoughts then became my next mission: to pioneer a center for mental health, healing, and suicide prevention.

“I ask for a call to action and continued help in building up the Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay as we create powerful synergies together. Let us selflessly celebrate, honor, and commemorate the men and women that serve: past, present and future as we celebrate our 10th year anniversary.”

An Alternative Method

Connecting through the power of art and empathy has always been the foundation for the center’s offerings, from programs and fundraisers to commissioned art and active exhibits. Empowering veterans within a community that understands and fully supports them has changed lives and families for the better.

Current curated exhibits showcase art pieces and photographs commemorating various war times in America’s history, including “American Soldier” (the Civil War to Iraq), “Innocent Souls” (Vietnam, 1968), “Eyes of Freedom” (nationally traveling veterans tribute), and Colonial Flag Exhibit.

Two of the most active programs through the VACTB are done at local rehabilitation centers as a resource to aid veterans healing from addiction. Craig Gross teaches weekly watercolor classes at River Oaks Rehab in Riverview, which has served 45 veteran patients to date. Gross grew up in a military family, served in the 1970s, and is the father of one of Florida’s fallen soldiers, Cpl. Frank Gross, killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011. Grieving the death of his son, Craig Gross leaned into his passion for the arts and is now giving that healing back to other veterans through his art therapy classes. Aaron Evans, previous Philadelphia Eagles player, teaches monthly painting classes at Riverside Recovery in

Maj. Mack Macksam, founder of The Veterans Art Center Tampa Bay (VACTB).

Photos by Keith Kenney

Tampa, and has served 43 veterans in their healing journeys. Additionally, several other VACTB programs have yielded remarkable results over the years, including more than 16,000 commissioned artworks; over 2,300 veterans, children, and families supported; and three successful suicide preventions. The center is a force for art in ways that will continue to touch the community for years to come.

Giving Back Going Forward

The VACTB’s fundraising drives include the Blick Art Supply Drive, Ukraine Toy Drive, Gratitude American Art Supply Drive, and yearly Christmas Toy Drive, which have raised more than $86,000 and served over 23,000 people locally and globally. The annual School Supply Drive is going through July into the first two weeks of August. Last year’s effort drew $18,000 in donations, enabling the charity to give supplies to 974 local students.

Donation link: www.vactb.org.

Likewise, to commemorate 10 years of service to the veteran community, the VACTB is holding an anniversary event from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 23 at the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the theme being “Healing and Unifying.” There will be notable keynote speakers as well as the Corporal Humlanz USMC (KIA) Arts Scholarship awarded to two local university students. The hope is to have between 150 and 200 attendees and to raise $50,000 toward continuation of the arts organization’s program.

Registration link: vactbanniversary.eventbrite.com.

Get Involved

For information or donations, visit www.vactb.org, or phone (813) 992-7694. Send email to vactbforceforart@ gmail.com, or write to P.O. Box 5856, Tampa, FL 33675

Connecting through the power of art and empathy has always been the foundation for the center’s offerings.

CASK Construction: Experts in Accessory Dwelling Units

By Suzanne Driscoll

If you are toying with the idea of adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to your property, be sure to put CASK Construction at the top of your list of companies to call. Now the number one builder of ADUs in St. Pete, it will take you from land survey to finished project on-time and hassle-free.

ADUs have many benefits for a homeowner. You can add valuable square footage to your current home, have a reliable revenue stream if you decide to rent out the unit, and substantially increase your property value.

Founder Calin Noonan was born and raised in Florida and started out laying tile at age 18 all the way through college. He graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University as a structural engineer, and worked in New York City for six years renovating several of the major bridges there. Noonan then returned to Florida to work for Skanska on the new research lab at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital’s new research lab, and launched his own construction company seven years ago with business partner Chad Holman. Today 90 percent of their business is building ADUs, whether it’s new construction or converting an existing structure such as a garage.

New Zoning Brings More Opportunities

St. Petersburg recently relaxed some of the requirements for building ADUs. Today, every neighborhood has an option for constructing one if you meet certain guidelines for lot size, square footage of the unit, distance to a high-transit road or alley, and parking availability. CASK Construction representatives can visit your property to see if you qualify.

From left to right: Doug Mertens, Mark Lesinski, Steven Duffy, Mike Ketteringham, Lamont Gilyot, Chad Holman, Calin Noonan, Kaycee Smith

Photo by Kristina Holman

The ADUs that CASK builds are made of concrete blocks or wood and offer high-quality finishings such as granite or quartz countertops, plank vinyl flooring or tile, wood cabinets and a reliable hurricane-rated structure.

Photo above and next page courtesy of CASK Construction

High Quality Construction and Services

The ADUs that CASK builds are made of concrete blocks or wood and offer high-quality finishings such as granite or quartz countertops, plank vinyl flooring or tile, wood cabinets and a reliable hurricane-rated structure. Noonan works with the same set of quality subcontractors and engineers that have been with him for many years. “I always do my due diligence to check references and go to the job sites where they are working to make sure they meet our high standards,” he says.

Noonan also promises to “hold your hand from the first phone call to the time we finish.” Full-time designer Kaycee Smith will work with you to meet your needs for cost, rental income, and disability access for those who require it.

The approximate investment for an ADU starts at $130,000 to $140,000 for a single-story unit or $190,000 to $210,000 for two stories. Completion time once the permit is obtained is four to seven months. “Once you build an ADU, the value of your home will increase by at least the amount of your cost,” Noonan says. “Plus you have the potential for rental income to help pay off the mortgage on your primary home.”

There is a one-year warranty for everything CASK installs and as much as 10 years for manufacturer’s warranties. Financing is offered by CASK, but Noonan finds that local banks that specialize in ADUs offer the best interest rates. “Many people don’t want to refinance these days because they currently have a low interest rate, so taking out a loan is often a good strategy.

“An ADU at my home provided me with enough additional income to start my own business,” Noonan recalls. “I find it to be very rewarding to help others achieve their financial goals and provide additional rental housing for the people of St. Pete.”

Visit www.CASKConstruction.com for more information or call (727) 201-2551.

The Lofts on 31st: New Luxury Apartments in a Great Location

By Suzanne Driscoll

If you are in the market for a brand-new luxury apartment close to shops, restaurants and the water, be sure to check out the Lofts on 31st. Located in a quiet neighborhood at 320-330 31st Ave. N in St. Pete, all four 1,700 square-foot apartments are end units with two bedrooms and two and a half baths on two floors. That’s not all – you will have a designated office space or studio, a second-floor private patio, 20-foot ceilings and an oversized single-car garage with plenty of storage space.

Contemporary design, premium finishes and the all-important washer and dryer make these apartments a must-see. “The kitchen is drop-dead gorgeous,” says Realtor Janelle Chmura of Smith & Associates. “There is a massive pantry, quartz countertops and highly polished cabinets, and the large living space has wiring on two different walls if you want to mount a TV. The upstairs has metal and mesh balusters like you would find on a highly customized yacht, and the entire property is nicely landscaped.”

If exercise, fresh air and great views are your thing, the apartments are only two blocks from Coffee Pot Park, which offers a playground, picnic shelter, boat launch and kayak ramp among plenty of trees for shade. You can stroll or bike on the boulevard that runs along Tampa Bay to admire all the wildlife such as birds, manatees and dolphins.

“In the opposite direction from the apartments is Fourth Street North, where you can walk to Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s and the upcoming Whole Foods Market, along with many other shops and restaurants,” Chmura says. “Here you are away from all the noise you might find downtown, but it is only a few minutes’ drive to Tropicana Field and all

the events that go on in this great city.

“I certainly give a lot of accolades to the owners and builders for their thoughtful design for those that desire luxury, new-construction living.”

For a private tour of the Lofts on 31stt, contact Janelle Chmura at (813) 380-5465 or jchmura@smithandassociates.com. View additional photos at www.JanelleChmura.com

Janelle Chmura, Realtor

Downtown Developments

By Brian Zucker, Owner of St. Pete Rising

It seems like each time we take a stroll through downtown there are new restaurants and galleries opening and more apartment complexes and condo towers being built. We realize it’s difficult to keep track of everything. Luckily, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Each month we will feature a few of the most exciting new downtown developments that are on the horizon for the Sunshine City.

Crisp Waffle Company is coming soon to 2414 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District. The all-day waffle cafe will serve sweet and savory Liege waffles. Compared to the traditional waffle, also called a Brussels waffle, Liege waffles are made with a thicker batter that is similar to bread dough. Pearl sugar is blended in with the dough, which caramelizes as the waffle cooks. Crisp Waffle Company’s first and only other location is on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. A grand opening is expected in September.

Two 15-story apartment towers are now under construction at 1000 1st Avenue North in the EDGE District. The community will include 269 apartments and 15,500 square feet of commercial space, including retail along Baum Avenue. The development will also have a three-floor, 355car parking garage and feature a club room, fitness center, and swimming pool. The developer is targeting a 2025 debut for the project.

400 Beach Seafood & Tap House will be closing for six months to undergo a top-to-bottom makeover. And in addition to renovating the entire 8,200-square-foot restaurant and outdoor patio, the menu will be revamped. 400 Beach is known for their Nouveau American menu featuring coastal cuisine, everything from steaks to seafood, using thoughtful and approachable ingredients with a strong focus on local farmers and ranchers.

Two 15-story apartment towers are now under construction at 1000 1st Avenue North

Crisp Waffle Company is coming soon to 2414 Central Avenue

Summer Camp, a new restaurant and bar, is coming soon to 2060 1st Avenue South in the Grand Central District. Inspired by retro summer camps, Summer Camp will feature an expansive 11,000-square-foot outdoor patio set up to resemble an actual campground with custommade tents, campfires (i.e. fire pits), and an outdoor stage for live music. A 2,300-square-foot building will serve as the “cabin” and will include indoor seating and a large bar. Summer Camp hopes to debut this fall.

The 105-year-old St. Petersburg Yacht Club (SPYC) in downtown St. Pete is set to be demolished. Due to failing structural components, FEMA non-compliancy, and a growing list of desires from current members, the 51,000 square-foot building, located at 11 Central Avenue, will be replaced in five years with an all-new building. To fund the project, the club will increase monthly membership fees from $50 to $125, beginning in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Additional funding will come from both initiation fees paid by new members and from the capital contribution charge that was instituted in January of this year. The SPYC board of directors expect construction to take two years.

A 35-story apartment tower has been proposed on the corner of 3rd Avenue North and 3rd Street North near the Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Museum in downtown St. Pete. The $100 million project will feature 348 apartments, 2,203 square feet of commercial space, and a 277-space parking garage. The 375-foot tower will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 650 square feet to 1,388 square feet. Parking for 370 bikes will also be provided. A construction timeline is currently unavailable.

St. Pete Rising is an urban development blog covering future retail, restaurants, and real estate in Downtown St. Petersburg, FL. Stay up-todate, visit StPeteRising.com.

Summer Camp is coming soon to 2060 1st Ave S

A 35-story apartment tower has been proposed on the corner of 3rd Avenue North and 3rd Street North

JULY

2023

EVENTS

Saturday Morning Market

When: weekly, on Saturdays, 9am - 1pm

Where: Williams Park, 350 2nd Ave N until 8/26

Cost: Free Admission

A weekly outdoor market with local farmers who offer organic and sustainably raised fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats; a wide variety of artisan food vendors; juried artists, crafters & makers; an incredible variety of ready-to-eat foods; live music and entertainment. The Market participates in the “Florida Fresh” program that doubles EBT/SNAP dollars for access to fresh fruits and vegetables. saturdaymorningmarket.com

Workshop: Make Your Own Manga In Verse with The Battleground

When: Wednesday, July 12, 7pm - 8pm

Where: Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Avenue South

Cost: Free

Tombolo Books partners with The Battleground for an exciting workshop combining Manga and Poetry! All ages and skill levels welcome. Space is limited, please RSVP. tombolobooks.com

Trash to Treasures Sale

When: Saturday, July 15 9am - 2pm

Where: Garden Club of St.

Petersburg, 500 Sunset Dr S

Cost: Free Admission & Parking

Get out of the heat and find your hidden treasure at the Garden Club’s Trash to Treasures sale. gardenclubstpetersburg.org

Tampa Bay Ice Cream Festival

When: Sunday, July 16, 11am - 8pm

Where: St. Pete Pier, 600 2nd Ave NE

Cost: Free Admission

Purchase ice cream from a wide range of unique and classic ice cream flavors from over 25 vendors, enjoy music, and participate in familyfriendly activities. A day of sweet treats and sun-soaked fun awaits! TampaBayIceCreamFest.com

The 50th Annual Sunrise Sale

When: Thursday, July 20 sale starts at 6:43am

Where: Downtown St. Pete, see map on website for participating businesses

Cost: Free Admission

Tampa Bay’s largest pajama party. It’s a blockbuster summer sale that’s worth getting up before dawn for! Shoppers are encouraged to wear their pajamas and those who do are often treated to extra discounts or small gifts. The event sees downtown filled at dawn with yellow flags, bright balloons and eager shoppers! The event is open to the public, and maps are available to guide people to participating businesses. Follow the Sunrise Sale announcements on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ DBAStPete

PAVA’s 34th Cool Art Show

When: Saturday, July 22, 10am – 5pm, and Sunday, July 23, 10am – 4pm

Where: St. Petersburg Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N

Cost: Free Admission & Parking

Showcasing the best of fine art and fine craft from some of the area’s premier artists, as well as art experiences for all ages. pava-artists.org

Girls Rock St. Pete’s Summer Concert!

When: Saturday, July 22 doors open at 6pm

Where: Jannus Live, 200 1st Ave N STE 206

Cost: $12 in advance / $15 at the door- kids 10 & under are free Eight grrrl-powered bands are ready to ROCK! Show up to let them know their voices matter. Enjoy Anarkitty and other electrifying opening acts, rad merch, a not-so-silent auction, and punk-rock crafting for the whole family. Pizza, vegan hot dogs, and a full bar. VIP Sponsorships are available starting at just $100. girlsrockstpete.org

St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation Kayaking

When: Every fourth Tuesday, 6pm7pm at Coffee Pot Park, 1st St. NE & 31st Ave. NE.

Where: Meet the kayaking instructor, near the Coffee Pot Park boat launch.

Cost: Free!

Enjoy a great work out on the water. Kayaks are provided (10 solo kayaks / 5 tandem kayaks available). Class size is limited; 20 participants max. Must be 16 years or older to participate. Register online. qrco.de/be76jW

For more events, or to submit event information, visit greenbenchmonthly.com/events