City breaks ground on 40-unit townhome community<\/p>\n
ST. PETERSBURG \u2014The city of St. Petersburg recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Pelican Place, a 40-unit affordable townhome community at 2100 18th Ave. S. All units will be sold through Habitat for Humanity’s homebuyer program to households earning 80% area median income or less.<\/p>\n
The property, valued at $1.43 million, was gifted by the city to Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside in November 2024. The city also contributed an additional $2.18 million in funding, bringing the city’s total financial commitment for this project to more than $3.6 million.<\/p>\n
Construction is planned to begin this month and take about two years to complete. The development will feature two-story townhomes, consisting of 10 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom units with a median sales price of $300,000. Those interested in learning more or applying for ownership can visit info.habitattbg.org\/townhome<\/a>.<\/p>\n $1 million pump facility to reduce Shore Acres flooding<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The St. Petersburg City Council approved a grant agreement on Dec. 11 with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the Shore Acres Flood Mitigation Project, investing an additional $1 million into the flood relief project.<\/p>\n The project includes construction of new stormwater infrastructure such as box culverts, a stormwater pump station, backflow preventers, and elevation of roadway segments and intersections.<\/p>\n The project will also acquire a parcel of land to house an emergency power facility equipped with a generator-powered pump. This facility will support flood mitigation efforts and ensure essential stormwater operations continue during power outages. The additional $1 million will be used to purchase the generator and the necessary startup components.<\/p>\n The total cost of the flood mitigation project is estimated at more than $30.8 million, with $7.8 million funded through an existing FDEP grant awarded to the city in 2023. The additional $1 million is also funded through an FDEP grant.<\/p>\n Pinellas Park named 2025 \u2018Tree City\u2019<\/p>\n The city of Pinellas Park has been named a 2025 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing the city\u2019s commitment to responsible and effective urban forest management.<\/p>\n Pinellas Park earned the designation by meeting all four program standards:<\/p>\n \u2022 Maintaining a dedicated tree board or department<\/p>\n \u2022 Upholding a tree-care ordinance<\/p>\n \u2022 Sustaining an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita<\/p>\n \u2022 Hosting an Arbor Day observance and issuing an official proclamation<\/p>\n Pinellas Park is one of 11 Pinellas County municipalities to earn this designation.<\/p>\n \u201cTree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand,\u201d said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. \u201cThe trees being planted and cared for by Pinellas Park are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Participation in this program brings residents together and fosters civic pride \u2014 whether through volunteer projects, educational efforts, or community involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n Tierra Verde resident elected to Alzheimer’s board<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The Alzheimer’s Association has elected Tracy Hayes of Tierra Verde to its national Board of Directors.<\/p>\n Hayes joins the 25-member, volunteer governing board in steering the strategic direction of the Association as it carries out its mission to lead the way to end Alzheimer\u2019s and all other dementia \u2014 by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.<\/p>\n Hayes recently retired as vice president of sales at Cigna Healthcare, concluding a 40-year career in the health care industry. At Cigna, she led strategy development for the company\u2019s employee benefits division in Florida.<\/p>\n Since retiring, Hayes has dedicated her time to volunteer leadership, serving on the board of the Alzheimer\u2019s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.<\/p>\n Hayes first became involved with the Alzheimer\u2019s Association following her mother\u2019s death from the disease. She now serves as a care partner to her husband, Thomas, who was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2024.<\/p>\n Hayes will serve a two-year term.<\/p>\n City opens applications for disaster recovery funds<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 City officials are now accepting applications for the Sunrise St. Pete disaster recovery funds.<\/p>\n St. Petersburg received $159.8 million in disaster recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support long-term recovery efforts from hurricanes Idalia and Helene. These funds will be used to rebuild homes, provide rental and mortgage assistance, restore critical infrastructure, and address other urgent community needs.<\/p>\n “This funding is designed to address remaining need after all other assistance has been exhausted, so please apply if you think you may be eligible,\u201d said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. \u201cThe city is here to support our residents and our community through this long-term recovery process.”<\/p>\n Homeowners and tenants may apply for the following types of assistance through the Sunrise St. Pete program:<\/p>\n \u2022 Rehabilitation, reconstruction, and elevation assistance<\/p>\n \u2022 Reimbursement for repair<\/p>\n \u2022 Disaster relief payments<\/p>\n Applicants will apply for Sunrise St. Pete assistance through a single application portal. Applicants will be matched with the assistance that best meets their needs based on each household’s unique circumstances.<\/p>\n Residents can apply online by visiting https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4ak7xwpt<\/a>. Residents can also apply in-person at a Sunrise St. Pete intake and service center Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.<\/p>\n \u20221914 Fourth St. N., Suite 1920<\/p>\n \u2022 1111 18th Ave. S.<\/p>\n Residents can contact 727-591-2990 or sunrise@stpete.org<\/a> with questions on the application process. More information can be found at SunriseStPete.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018Level Up\u2019 grants available for arts, culture groups<\/p>\n ST. PETERSBURG \u2014 The city of St. Petersburg has launched the Level Up Arts Grant for nonprofit arts and culture organizations with budgets of $50,000 or less. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 30, 2026, or until funds are depleted.<\/p>\n Level Up Arts Grants will provide operational or project-based funding for allowable expenses of arts\/cultural organizations during the specified fiscal year. Proposals will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are expended.<\/p>\n Award amounts are $5,000 each.<\/p>\n