City Transportation staff are meeting with residents and businesses in July to finalize the Dr. M.L. King Jr. St. N. redesign plan between 4^th and 30^th Aves. N., taking into account current and future transportation needs, economic development and safety goals. Following community meetings in November 2017-June, a concept involving turning one of five traffic lanes into a bicycle lane in each direction and adding several crosswalks has emerged as the preferred alternative. This proposal is based on transportation data and community feedback. Transportation staff will continue talking with and receiving feedback from citizens and businesses over the coming weeks, which could result in changes to the current proposed plan. A final decision on design is expected in early August.  Construction is anticipated to begin later this summer with expected completion in late 2018. Read more.

This month, the City of St. Petersburg joined Mars Petcare's 'Better Cities for Pets' national initiative. St. Pete is the second city in Florida to join the movement to make happier, healthier lives for people and their pets.

The initiative includes 12 traits of a pet-friendly city, ranging from collaboration to reduce pet homelessness to restaurants and businesses that are welcoming to pets.

Additionally, the City has developed a program called St. Pete Paws to collaborate with organizations that support pets and their owners to make St. Petersburg a city where pets are welcome, and owners are caring, nurturing guardians who are working together to provide safe and secure environments.

The City also plans to develop a pet-friendly business program to encourage more businesses to welcome pets.

Full press release, here.

The NOT MY SON community canvass activities continue every Friday this summer at various locations. Free and open to the public. The goal of the grassroots community campaign, themed “RISE ABOVE” in 2018, is to keep our children safe again this summer. Part of Mayor Kriseman’s “My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper” initiative, NOT MY SON features weekly neighborhood walks, held on Fridays starting at 6:30 p.m. through Aug 10. More July and Aug locations to be announced. Contact: Kenneth Irby, 727-893-7808. More Info: stpete.org/MBSK. Event Flyer

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES LEASE WITH TEAK, INC. FOR THREE RESTAURANT CONCEPTS  AT ST. PETE PIER™  

Recently, St. Petersburg City Council authorized Mayor Rick Kriseman to execute a lease with Teak, Inc. for a restaurant, café and rooftop bar at the new St. Pete Pier™.

The three concepts will be located at the Pier Head and include an upscale restaurant (Teak) a rooftop bar (Teaki) and a café (Driftwood Café.) Sample menus indicate a broad offering including lobster tails, fish tacos, a raw bar, local craft beers and much more. Plans for the restaurant include a comfortable and elegant setting with local art on display.  

ST. PETE PIER™ DISTRICT WINS MULTIPLE DESIGN EXCELLENCE AWARDS    by american institute of architects

The St. Pete Pier™ has been recognized four times by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Recently, the Pier has been recognized with two awards by AIA Florida. ASD|SKY Rogers Partners, the design team for the New St. Petersburg Pier project, has been awarded a prestigious 2018 AIA Florida/Caribbean Design Excellence Honor Award in the Unbuilt Category. Also, the design team for the Pier Approach, Wannemacher Jensen Architects, has been named a 2018 AIA Florida Merit Award recipient for the St. Pete Pier Market, also in the Unbuilt category.

In 2016, a Tampa Bay AIA Honor Award was presented to ASD | SKY and Rogers Partners for The New St. Pete Pier Design.

Also, in 2016, Rogers Partners Architects + Urban Designers was selected a winner of an AIANY Award for the design of the new St. Pete Pier™.  

AIA Honor Awards recognize projects that demonstrate the highest standards of design and innovation and a commitment to excellence in architectural design.

Lease Agreement with Duke Energy, May 17:

St. Petersburg City Council authorized Mayor Kriseman to execute a lease with Duke Energy Florida (DEF) for for a solar photovoltaic (PV) car canopy on a portion of the Pelican Parking lot.

With an estimated cost of no more than $2 million, Duke will pay for and own the system and be responsible for the design, permitting, construction and maintenance for the life of the system.

View the Press Release.

Artist Selection, April 24:

On April 24, three artists were selected to create public art at the new St. Pete Pier™ on Tuesday, April 24, in the Pier Public Art Committee meeting. 

Nick Ervinck – Belgium: TBD Pier Head. Fostering a cross-pollination between the digital and the physical, Nick Ervinck explores the boundaries between various media, including sculpture, 3D prints installation, architecture and design. 

Nathan Mabry – Los Angeles, CA: a coated steel, origami-inspired pelican to be installed in the Entry Plaza area. He is known for sculptures in bright primary colors that often reference modern sculpture of the 20th century as well as diverse cultures and birds significant to the local site. 

Xenobia Bailey, New York City: a tile mosaic on the Spa Beach Pavilion. Bailey translates the vibrant patterns and colors derived from her fiber art, into mosaics for public projects. 

On April 19, City Council voted to approved the following:

• A resolution accepting the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposal in the amount of $15,030,610 submitted by Skanska USA Building, Inc.
• Lease agreement for Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, which will be the new restaurant at the south end of the Pier Approach.
• Earthscape Play Inc. to design, fabricate and oversee the installation of children’s playground equipment.
• A resolution recognizing a donation of $250,000 from the American Academy of Dermatology for a sun shade structure in the Spa Beach area.
• An agreement between the City and Sports and Properties, Inc. to provide consulting services related to naming rights for elements within the new Pier.

The James Weldon Johnson Community Library, 1059 18th Ave. S., will host a Summer Bee Series to test elementary students' knowledge of spelling, geography and math. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on the following Wednesdays:

Spelling Bee – July 11
Geography Bee – July 18
Math Bee – July 25

All competitions will begin at 6:15 p.m. Children entering grades 1 to 6 will compete for awards and gift cards, and first place winners in each age group will receive a trophy. Join us as these children demonstrate their knowledge in core subject areas and compete for prizes in one of three age groups, for students entering grades: 1st&2nd; 3rd&4th; or 5th&6th.

To register for the Bees and pick up a study packet, visit Johnson Community Library or call the library at 727-893-7113.

The Summer Bee Series is presented annually by the Friends of Johnson Library, a nonprofit group supporting the library through volunteerism, fundraising, and sponsorship of programs and services. To learn about the Friends of Johnson Library, visit fojbl.org. 

Summer Bee Series Event Flyer

For more information, visit splibraries.org.