Welch selects Denzel Johnson-Green as city\u2019s Poet Laureate<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has appointed Denzel Johnson-Green as St. Petersburg’s poet laureate. Johnson-Green is the city’s first Black poet laureate and will serve as a prominent fixture in the city’s cultural and literary arts communities, promoting poetry and literature among residents and visitors.<\/p>\n
As the city’s official poet, Johnson-Green will present his works at city events and youth activities to inspire emerging generations of literary artists and poets. Johnson-Green presented his first poem as St. Pete’s Poet Laureate at the flag raising at City Hall to celebrate Black History Month on Feb. 5.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, St. Pete’s poet laureate serves for the mayor’s term. The previous poets laureate for St. Petersburg are Peter Meinke, Helen Wallace, and Gloria Munoz.<\/p>\n
Johnson-Green is the creator and editor of 17 poetry journals called “Neptune,” which were nominated best literary journal in Creative Loafing. He is the recipient of the Roy Peter Clark Literary Prize, and he is the creator of the free, weekly workshop\/open mic, Community Poetry, founded in 2019. His light poetry can be found in Saw Palm, Oddball Magazine, The Artisan, Art Coast Journal, and The Fantastic Other.<\/p>\n
St. Pete breaks ground for housing on industrial-zoned land<\/p>\n
The city has broken ground on Fairfield Avenue Apartments, a 264-unit affordable and workforce housing development near the Warehouse Arts District.<\/p>\n
First proposed in early 2022, Fairfield Avenue Apartments made local history when St. Petersburg became the first city in Florida to approve an affordable housing development under 2021 state legislation allowing residential projects on industrially zoned land. The project has since become a model for how cities can creatively unlock new sites for housing, according to a city press release.<\/p>\n
Located on a 6.9-acre site at 3300 Fairfield Ave. S, the development is being built on land formerly home to the Tibbetts Lumber Company, a family business founded in the 1970s by Linton Tibbetts. The site was acquired for approximately $6.2 million by Fairfield Avenue Apartments LLC, an entity affiliated with St. Petersburg-based HP Capital Group and former Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes.<\/p>\n
“Fairfield Avenue Apartments represents both a deeply personal legacy and a forward-looking commitment to St. Petersburg’s future,” said Nick Hansen, a partner with H. P. Capital Group. “Transforming a site that once supported local industry into housing that supports working families is incredibly meaningful. This project shows what’s possible when cities, counties and private partners come together to create long-term affordability and opportunity for the people who make this community thrive.”<\/p>\n
The community will include a mix of unit sizes designed to serve individuals and families, including:<\/p>\n
\u2022 74 one-bedroom units<\/p>\n
\u2022 162 two-bedroom units<\/p>\n
\u2022 28 three-bedroom units<\/p>\n
Some 53 units are reserved for households earning at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI).<\/p>\n
The approximately $94.2 million development is financed through a combination of public and private sources, including $9.7 million from the city of St. Petersburg, funding from Pinellas County, a HUD 221(d)(4) construction loan, and developer equity. The property will be leased through a trust with the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, ensuring a 99-year affordability commitment. Upon completion, the Pinellas County Housing Authority will own and manage the apartments.<\/p>\n
Fairfield Avenue Apartments will offer a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool, meeting rooms, computer labs, a bike corral and repair workshop, playgrounds, picnic areas, and extensive bike parking.<\/p>\n
Construction is expected to continue through mid- to late-2028.<\/p>\n
For more information, contact: SocialServices@StPeteHA.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Watering ban extended for St. Pete, area<\/p>\n The Southwest Florida Water Management District has issued a Modified Phase 2 Water Shortage Order that includes the city of St. Petersburg and much of the surrounding counties. The order went into effect Feb. 8 following a period of significantly below normal rainfall and declining water levels.<\/p>\n To help conserve water, the city is shifting to a temporary watering schedule of once a week for properties using potable or private well water sources for watering. Reclaimed water use is not restricted; however, watering only once or twice a week is recommended.<\/p>\n \u2022 Even-numbered addresses may irrigate on Saturday between 5-9 a.m. or 7-11 p.m.<\/p>\n \u2022 Odd-numbered and locations with no address may irrigate on Sunday between 5-9 a.m. or 7-11 p.m.<\/p>\n \u2022 Hand watering of nonlawn landscape is allowed any day, at any time, if needed.<\/p>\n \u2022 Hand watering of lawns must follow designated watering day and times.<\/p>\n \u2022 Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day at any time.<\/p>\n \u2022 An automatic shutoff device must be installed on any hose and used at all times.<\/p>\n St. Petersburg’s watering schedule may differ from Pinellas County’s. Residents and businesses located outside of city limits or who do not receive their water from the city should verify their watering days and restrictions with their water supplier.<\/p>\n City seeks public input for sustainability workshop<\/p>\n The city of St. Petersburg, in partnership with IDEAS For Us, is inviting residents to participate in an upcoming Sustainability Workshop, designed to engage the community in meaningful conversations about the city’s sustainability priorities and long-term vision.<\/p>\n Community input gathered will help guide how sustainability priorities are advanced across St. Pete, inform updates to the City’s Integrated Sustainability Action Plan (ISAP), and support how sustainability initiatives are implemented city wide to support a stronger economy, and a higher quality of life.<\/p>\n The remaining workshops are:<\/p>\n \u2022 Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 5:30-8 p.m.<\/p>\n Boyd Hill Nature Preserve<\/p>\n 1101 Country Club Way S<\/p>\n \u2022 Friday, Feb. 27, from 2:30-5 p.m.<\/p>\n The Coliseum<\/p>\n 535 4th Ave. N<\/p>\n Learn more and register for a workshop at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yz5k8rz6<\/a><\/p>\n St. Pete seeks applicants for advisory council<\/p>\n The city of St. Petersburg is accepting applications for standing member positions on the Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC). The CBAC is a nonpartisan board that advises the mayor and city council on matters related to the city’s Community Benefits Program.<\/p>\n The CBAC currently consists of four standing members: two appointed by the mayor and two by the city council. Each standing member must be from a different City Council district.<\/p>\n Applications are needed from residents of the following City Council districts: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, or 8. Mayoral appointments currently represent districts 3 and 5.<\/p>\n Interested residents can use the map found at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/2p4f3a7d<\/a> to determine their City Council District.<\/p>\n Standing Members serve no more than two three-year terms.<\/p>\n Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28. More information and the application can be found at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/5n6bztnf<\/a><\/p>\n St. Petersburg continues Black History Month<\/p>\n It\u2019s the middle of February, and St. Petersburg is still celebrating Black History Month.<\/p>\n Many events have passed, but many are waiting on the wings. Such as:<\/p>\n \u2022 A Black History Live Museum<\/p>\n Friday, Feb. 13, at 10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n Thomas “Jet” Jackson Recreation Center, 1000 28th St. S<\/p>\n Event is free and requires registration. Learn more by calling 727-893-7133 and register at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/yv3mbz7f<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Black History Month Movie Screening: The Butler<\/p>\n Thursday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n Sunshine Senior Center, 330 Fifth St. N<\/p>\n After leaving the south as a young man and finding employment at an elite hotel in Washington, Cecil Gaines gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he is hired as a butler at the White House. Event is free and requires registration. Learn more by calling 727-893-7133 and register at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4fkkaxkp<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022 Wanda Stuart and the Sunshine Storytellers Present: Here We Are<\/p>\n Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 10:45 a.m.<\/p>\n Sunshine Senior Center, 330 5th St. N<\/p>\n Come and hear inspiring stories and learn about Black history. Event is free and requires registration. Learn more by calling 727-893-7133 and register at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/5ze5cxke<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022Black History Celebration & Gala<\/p>\n Thursday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m.<\/p>\n Sunshine Senior Center, 330 5th St. N<\/p>\n