ST. PETERSBURG — For years, downtown St. Petersburg’s only outdoor shopping center struggled to keep up with the fast-paced cultural changes that were transforming the city’s core. BayWalk, as it was first called, couldn’t keep quality tenants. Shoppers didn’t always feel safe in the fortresslike space sandwiched between First and Second streets at Second Avenue…
DetailsBROOKSVILLE — A year and a half and dozens of Post-it notes later, Hernando County’s effort to revitalize what was once the town center of Spring Hill is about to reach a new plateau. On Tuesday, the County Commission will consider making the area around Kass Circle a community redevelopment district. The designation would provide…
DetailsNEW PORT RICHEY — Elizabeth Villanova gets dejected on her daily treks to and from her children’s schools in Land O’Lakes. “It’s been depressing to watch the complete degradation of U.S. 41 specifically,” she told Pasco County commissioners Tuesday. Villanova started a Facebook page and an online petition seeking stepped-up code enforcement and other beautification…
DetailsGADSDEN CO., Fla. (WTXL) – Florida’s Secretary of State has selected Chattahoochee Main Street as the Florida Main Street Community of the Month, and community leaders say they have big plans in store for the area. The Chattahoochee Main Street was selected because it brought in $25,000 in public/private reinvestment, three new businesses and 10 new…
DetailsWest Palm’s code-enforcers have been testing their new noise-meters prior to issuing any fines to bars or restaurants that blast their music. And the results are in: A lot of Clematis Street venues can expect fines if they don’t change their tune when the city commission votes Nov. 9 to start enforcement and calm the…
DetailsCRESTVIEW — Two of Crestview’s oldest churches inadvertently shackled from future growth will be unfettered if two re-rezoning ordinances pass a second Crestview City Council reading. The council last week unanimously approved the first of two required public readings of two ordinances amending the city’s comprehensive plan to revert downtown churches to their original zoning.…
DetailsWith lingering uncertainty about the future of the Santa Rosa County Courthouse, the city of Milton is continuing its efforts to keep the judicial center downtown. The city will update the Santa Rosa County Commission on Monday on property acquisitions that may be used in the construction of a new downtown Milton courthouse — if the county chooses…
DetailsA plan for a multimillion- dollar investment in the Eastside neighborhood by a Georgia foundation that builds affordable housing has fallen through. Paces Foundation, a developer of affordable housing projects in Smyrna, Ga., was under contract to buy from Manna Food Pantries the razed site of the former J. Lee Pickens School at 2501 N.…
DetailsA train stalled on the train tracks in downtown Lakeland, causing traffic problems for commuters this morning. The Lakeland Fire Department issued an alert via its Twitter account at 8:22 a.m., warning motorists a train was blocking Massachusetts Avenue and South Florida Avenue and advising them to take the US 98 overpass into downtown Lakeland.…
DetailsMarc Valero | Highlands Today Published: October 18, 2015 LAKE PLACID — The town of more than 45 murals is looking into building or providing one public restroom facility for visitors and tourists who make the rounds to view the colorful artwork throughout the downtown. Keep Lake Placid Beautiful member Bill Brantley noted that he is on…
DetailsThe Loews Don CeSar Hotel on St. Pete Beach was recently named the “Best Historic Hotel” in its size category by the Historic Hotels of America organization. The 277-room “Pink Palace,” which has been an icon on St. Pete Beach for decades, was built in 1928. The hotel was recognized for its history and restoration.…
DetailsSAFETY HARBOR — Downtown merchants said they were excited a year and a half ago when the Jolley Trolley came to town, expecting an increase in foot traffic. But has the trolley service helped Safety Harbor’s businesses? One concern raised by city commissioners and business owners: Trolley riders aren’t coming to Safety Harbor because they…
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