Front Page News
from Council Chair Gerdes' office:Science Center: The sale of the Science Center property is still pending. The City is awaiting the results of a utility study to determine whether the site will be needed for future utility expansion before finalizing the sale.
Trailer Storage: Residents were reminded that trailers may not be stored in driveways or parked on the street, in accordance with city code.
Raytheon Redevelopment: Civil and engineering permits for the former Raytheon property are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Construction on Phase 1 is projected to begin in 2026. Councilman Gerdes noted that, in his view, there’s about a 90% chance that Phase 2 will move forward and only a 50% chance that Phase 3 will ever be realized.
Tropicana Field: The City is preparing for the departure of the Tampa Bay Rays in three years, as part of long-term planning.
9th Avenue Improvements: The faded lane lines on 9th Avenue will be repainted soon, with full repaving scheduled for 2026.
Municipal Power Discussion: The City is monitoring the outcome of a feasibility study in Clearwater regarding the possible takeover of that city’s electric utility. St. Pete may consider a similar study when its contract with Duke Energy nears expiration.
Jungle Prada Pier: The pier will be rebuilt, though it will not be as long as the one destroyed by recent storms.
Sunset Park/Pasadena “Card Room”: The building near Sunset Park suffered severe damage during the last hurricane season and will be demolished.
Treasure Island Concession Stand: The storm-damaged concession building will be removed, and only the restrooms will be rebuilt.
St. Pete Watch: Current Concerns
A quick roundup of topics St. Pete residents are talking about.
- Stormwater & construction runoff: Reports of street flooding and clogged drains after heavy rains near active sites. In Disston Heights, neighbors faced flooding after heavy rains. They blame runoff from nearby construction (Palm Lake Urban Sanctuary), which introduced mud into streets and clogs drains. The developer and city say the project meets drainage rules, but residents remain upset.
- Code‑enforcement notices: Confusion and frustration over unexpected cases tied to damage assessments in high‑hazard zones. Hundreds of homeowners in high-hazard zones received code enforcement cases via damage assessments—even if their homes weren’t damaged. Many say they weren’t properly informed and worry it could impact home values.
- Utility bill worries: Tenants alarmed by landlord non‑payment letters that mention possible service interruptions. Residents at apartments in Elements on Third and The Morgan were alarmed by notices warning their utilities (like water) could be shut off because their landlord hadn't paid the bills. Tenants felt fear and frustration, even after some payment was made to avoid interruption.
- Downtown safety & homelessness: Business owners and neighbors cite sanitation and safety concerns alongside strained services. Downtown business owners and neighborhood leaders say homelessness is escalating. Police calls have spiked and many describe the area as increasingly unsafe, citing "aggressive" and unsanitary behavior.
- Tropicana Dome repair bill: Sticker‑shock over costs and questions about who pays, contract transparency, and budget trade‑offs.
Mystery Creature Washes Ashore in Madeira Beach!
Locals Bewildered • Theories Run Wild • Officials (Mostly) Unfazed
MADEIRA BEACH — As first reported on Nextdoor, residents are scratching their heads and maybe checking under their beds after the discovery of a bizarre set of remains that looks like it swam straight out of a Saturday‑night monster movie. Found tangled in seaweed beside a seawall, the creature sports a long snout crammed with sharp teeth, spindly limbs, and a smile only a cryptozoologist could love.
“Teeth like a velociraptor, skin like a raisin, and the kind of grin you’d expect from your ex‑in‑law,” reported one beachgoer between gasps. Soon, theories bloomed like sea foam: the Chupacabra finally taking a Florida vacation; an alien pet left behind on an intergalactic road trip; or, according to one fisherman, “just a really ugly iguana who partied too hard.”
“We’ve dealt with sinkholes, hurricanes, and traffic on Gulf Boulevard,” said one anonymous official. “A beach monster is just Tuesday.”
While experts weigh in (and locals weigh whether to go back in the water), the creature has already secured a place in coastal folklore.
Update: After a flurry of speculation, a team of sober-faced scientists from the Coastal Anomaly Research Laboratory issued their report: the “beach monster” was nothing more than the weather-worn remains of an ordinary opossum.
Nevermind.
