Interstate ramps at 54th Avenue North to close<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2013 Beginning Thursday night, April 9, two I-275 interchange ramps are scheduled to close for an extended period:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Southbound I-275 Exit 26 ramp to 54th Avenue North.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Westbound 54th Avenue North entrance ramp onto southbound I-275.<\/p>\n
The ramps are expected to be closed for reconstruction at least several months, until approximately summer or fall 2026, as part of the I-275 widening project from 38th Avenue North to Fourth Street North. Detours for each ramp closure will be signed to guide drivers as follows:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Detour for southbound I-275 exit ramp to 54th Avenue North: Continue south on I-275 past Exit 26 and exit at 38th Avenue North (Exit 25). At the bottom of the ramp, turn right and go west on 38th Avenue North, then turn right onto US 19 (34th Street North) and go north to 54th Avenue North.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Detour for westbound 54th Avenue North onto southbound I-275: Continue west on 54th Avenue North past the entrance ramp. Turn left at U.S. 19 (34th Street North) and go south. Turn left onto 38th Avenue North and go east to the entrance ramp onto southbound I-275.<\/p>\n
Drivers are advised to plan some extra time to travel the detour routes.<\/p>\n
Bay Pines VA upgrades health care infrastructure<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 Bay Pines VA Healthcare System says it will begin infrastructure upgrades to ensure safe and effective patient care, part of a record $4.8 billion in VA spending nationwide to modernize, repair and improve department health care facilities.<\/p>\n
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System improvement projects for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 are:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Renovate elevators in building 100<\/p>\n
\u2022 Abate, remediate, and restore buildings 2, 23, and 71<\/p>\n
\u2022 Assessment of HP boilers at the Lee County Healthcare Center<\/p>\n
\u2022 Correct building 36 structural deficiencies<\/p>\n
\u2022 Replace Computed Tomography (CT) in building 100, room 1<\/p>\n
\u201cInvesting in our facilities, equipment, and infrastructure strengthens our ability to deliver the high-quality care Veterans deserve,\u201d said Bay Pines VA Director David J. VanMeter. \u201cThese resources will help ensure Bay Pines VA Healthcare System continues advancing projects that directly support better outcomes and an improved experience for those we are privileged to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
City sets timeline to select proposal for Gas Plant<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The city of St. Petersburg has released a tentative timeline to select a proposal for redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant area.<\/p>\n
The process of reviewing and shortlisting the proposals received is underway. City staff evaluators have completed an initial review of the submissions. Those analyses are available on the city’s website at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/bdee4jus<\/a><\/p>\n These evaluations will be forwarded to Mayor Kenneth Welch for his consideration. The tentative timeline for the remainder of 2026 is below.<\/p>\n Beginning in April, city staff will begin the first phase of the Urban Land Institute study. This will include an analysis and aggregation of previous studies, community feedback, and other research. A public meeting with shortlisted developers will be held at the Coliseum for the public to meet with developers and ask questions about the proposals. Following that meeting, the city will gather public feedback for 30 days.<\/p>\n In May, the city council will consider possible appointees to the Community Benefits Advisory Council Committee. Members of that committee will review the shortlisted projects and how each proposal would conform to the city\u2019s Community Benefits Agreement Program.<\/p>\n By June, Welch expects to select one of the proposals, and in July the CBAC could host two meetings to hear public comments on the proposed selected developer. Using this feedback, Welch and his staff will begin to negotiations with the develop and contract for approval by City Council.<\/p>\n City seeks public comment at annual budget open house<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The public is invited to the city’s annual Budget Open House on Monday, April 13, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 175 Fifth St. N. The open house will include an overview of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget process, remarks from Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and City Council, and an opportunity for the public to provide input on budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.<\/p>\n This year’s budget considerations will continue to focus on community resilience, the city said in a statement.<\/p>\n Residents wishing to provide input and discuss budget priorities will have three minutes each to share their thoughts with Welch and city officials.<\/p>\n St. Pete residents have multiple options to participate:<\/p>\n \u2022 In person: Attend the meeting in person at City Hall Council Chambers at 175 Fifth St. N<\/p>\n \u2022 Virtually: Zoom meeting information can be found at https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/2nynx4jk<\/a><\/p>\n