Keeping our Members, Friends and Neighbors in the Loop

SKYWAY PLAZA REVITALIZATION UPDATE
As the result of an ongoing collaborative partnership among the GPPCA, Bahama Shores, Lakewood Terrace, and Bayou Highlands neighborhood associations, a special meeting with the Florida Housing Coalition (FHC) was held at Lake Vista Center on February 12, 2019. The purpose of the meeting was to give residents of the communities the opportunity to weigh in on their vision/desires for the revitalization of the Skyway Plaza Shopping Center located at Dr MLK Jr St S and 62nd Ave S in Greater Pinellas Point.

The FHC has been selected by Fannie Mae to compete in a national project called the Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge (The Challenge). The $10 million award focuses on 'adaptive resuse' of vacant commercial spaces like the Skyway Plaza. The team will explore the feasibility of adapting vacant commercial spaces into attractive and functional mixed-use apartments and co-working offices for low-income entrepreneurs. Nothing is set in stone as to what will be the end results of the initiative; however, with community input and buy-in from the property owner, Brixmor, the FHC intends to use its broad expertise to bring new life and innovation to the Plaza. Should (or WHEN!) the FHC be successful, it will lead the way for other such state and national organizations to follow.

Lead by FHC Technical Advisor Mr. Ashon Nesbitt, a Saint Petersburg native, and co-Advisor Mr. Ben Torro-Spears, the FHC team put the 60+ attendees through an exercise facilitated by FHC Architect Mr. Stephen Bender where they were divided into work groups to focus on a) Retail and Business Ideas; b) Outdoor Ideas, and c) Residential Ideas. Using poster displays containing inspiring visions of what the Plaza could become, the groups compiled ideas that they had previously affixed to the displays with sticky notes. They then selected a group spokesperson and took turns going before the entire audience to present their visions. Many of the groups were united in using outdoor space for community gardens, gathering space, and play areas for smaller kids. Inside, the groups agreed on the concept of live|work (apartment) spaces, and retail opportunites for small businesses that offer locally created foods, administrative services and technology incubators.

The FHC initiative is focused specifically on the 60K sq ft space once occupied by the Sweet Bay grocery store. This space is a blank canvas that will easily lend itself to helping the FHC bring its vision to fruition. For more information on the FHC and this project, please visit www.flhousing.org. Stay tuned to the GPPCA Facebook page and our website, gppca.wildapricot.org to JOIN the association and also for community news and updates.

Keeping Our Members, Friends and Neighbors in the Loop...

MAXIMO PARK EXPANSION

At our January 22 General Membership Meeting, Leisure Services Administrator Mr. Mike Jefferis and Natural & Cultural Areas Manager Ms. Barbara Stalbird gave a detailed presentation on the proposed expansion of Maximo Park. The expansion is made possible by a 25-year lease of land to the northwest of the existing park, near I-275S. The land is the property of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and was used as a materials staging area. The land will be cultivated to expand parking for recreational vehicles, using permeable materials to facilitate drainage and allow for easier repurposing of the space in the future. Improvements will also include the installation of solar lighting, planting native vegetation and removal of invasive species, fencing, enhancing the disc golf course, and protection of the historic Indian Mounds within the park.

BANYAN TREE REMOVAL AT PRINCESS MOUND

Also at our January 22 General Membership Meeting, Mr. Jefferis and Ms. Stalbird presented the city's plan and rationale for removing the banyan trees at the Princess Indian Mound at Bethel and Pinellas Point Drive located  within the historic 'Pink Streets' community. With several opposing residents of the Pink Streets in attendance, in addition to opposing residents from the greater community, the City team presented compelling evidence that the banyan trees, which are NOT a protected variety, are causing irreparable damage to the Mound due to their 'walking root systems' that are causing gradual but consistent soil erosion, thereby threating the sustainability of the Mound.

The tree canopies have proven problematic in resolving the erosion because they also block sunlight, thereby inhibiting the growth of ground cover that has already been tried without success. The solution, a matter of City authority and does NOT require citizen/association approval, is to remove the trees completely, plant native vegetation and trees that are more compatible for the sustenance of the highly regarded and historic Princess Mound for generations to come.

Signage will be posted in the community to alert residents when the work commences in the next few months. In addition to the tree removal, the City is also working to create a 'virtual experience' for visitors to the Mounds throughout Saint Petersburg. Using virtual reality technology, visitors will be able to transport themselves back to various stages in time during the evolution of the Mounds... the GPPCA plans to schedule a guest speaker to attend a forthcoming general meeting to give further insight into this exciting project that will be a value add to our great neighborhood!     

2019 Residential Trash and Recycling Collection Holiday Schedule

New Year’s Day – Tuesday, January 1: Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday. Monday, Thursday and Friday collections remain the same.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, January 21: Monday collections will be made on Tuesday. Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday collections remain the same.

Presidents’ Day – Monday, February 18: Monday collections will be made on Tuesday. Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday collections remain the same.

Memorial Day – Monday, May 27: Monday collections will be made on Tuesday. Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday collections remain the same.

Independence Day – Thursday, July 4: Thursday collections will be made on Wednesday. Monday, Tuesday and Friday collections remain the same.

Labor Day – Monday, September 2: Monday collections will be made on Tuesday. Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday collections remain the same.

Veterans Day – Monday, November 11: Monday collections will be made on Tuesday. Tuesday collections will be made on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday collections remain the same.

Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 28: Thursday collections will be made on Wednesday. Monday, Tuesday and Friday collections remain the same.

Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25: All normal collections on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday will not be affected by this holiday.

From our friends at 'I Love the Burg St. Pete' as reported on Jan 3, 2019. (Copy and Past this address into your address bar.)

https://ilovetheburg.com/bloomberg-names-st-pete-as-american-cities-climate-challenge-winner/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bloomberg_names_st_pete_as_american_cities_climate_challenge_winner_2019_01_03&utm_term=2019-01-03

https://youtu.be/-cC8uO9JI3c

The Fall 2018 Citizen's Police Academy Application is now OPEN.

If you live or work in St. Pete join us 6pm to 9pm every Tuesday from September 25th to November 20th to learn from police officers how the department works FROM THE INSIDE!

• SWAT Demonstration

• Active Shooter Training

• K-9 Demonstration

• Crime Scene Processing

• Murder Investigations

• Emergency Communications

• Officer Scenario Training

• DUI / Crash Investigations

Please fill out and EMAIL the attached form to samantha.williams@stpete.org.

It can also be mailed to:

St. Petersburg Police Dept.

Attn: Samantha Williams

1300 First Ave. N.

St. Petersburg, FL 33705

http://police.stpete.org/crime-prevention/docs/citizen-academy-application-fall-2018.pdf

Want to keep up with Saint Petersburg news and local happenings?

Follow this link to sign up for a host of e-newsletters offered by our great city that can help you stay in the loop! City of St. Petersburg, Florida USA

http://www.stpete.org/news/e-newsletters.php

Don’t forget! It’s time to have a little fun in the sun and support our efforts to bring new life to our Skyway Plaza Shopping Center, Saturday, June 9, Noon to 5 pm!  

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/St-Petersburg-neighborhoods-rally-to-revitalize-Skyway-Plaza-shopping-center_168549008