What will save St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue?

Tampa Bay journalist Alex Pickett adds some valuable perspective to the St. Petersburg Times‘ story about attempts by city leaders to address the dilapidated 600 block of Central Avenue:

So what’s our fair city to do? Well, they want to “revitalize” the block. But they don’t mention that back before 2006, this block was already thriving with unique local small businesses.

There were bohemian joints like the Surreal Bowl and eccentric boutique shops like Woodies Hat Box, all centered around one of the city’s historical treasures, Crislip Arcade.

That is, before another developer — Gerald R. Pacella of 601 Central Ave LLC — came in, bought that part of the block and evicted all the shops to construct a bunch of condos. Condos that never saw the light of day. Another developer, Thomas Gaffney of Oldsmar Land Holding Group, bought the property in 2008. His intentions are not yet known, but some Google sleuthing shows his company likes to hold on to property and then sell it to the highest bidder. He’s already mentioned to the Times that he has no plans to refurbish the storefronts.

Here’s one question: Are plans to fill the empty storefronts with art studios simply a stopgap until the market improves and Gaffney decides to raze the block? And if so, what incentives are the city and/or Gaffney offering to entice temporary tenants?

Local news — property taxes, Starbucks and ridiculous legislation

The city of Gulfport says its budget will be $3 million short in October, but wants to avoid raising property taxes.

The city has frozen all hiring, except what is considered “mission critical” positions.

Unfilled positions include city manager, the police chief, a police sergeant, two police officers, a police department records technician, a fire lieutenant, the leisure services administrative assistant and a staff assistant in the administrative services department.

The city had already eliminated several library positions, as well as a fire captain, firefighter, maintenance worker, recreation coordinator and a clerical position in the city clerk’s office.

My question — can the St. Pete Times please provide city documentation with its story to give some context to that $3 mil figure?

Tommy at Sticks of Fire explains why delinquent property taxes means more money for newspapers.

Teen shot at Childs Park Rec Center.

Kenneth City’s mayor-elect could be sworn in, 44 days after winning in a landslide. The takeaway here is that Kenneth City, with a population of about 4,400, and a land area of 2 square miles, has a mayor.

Ybor City loves its Starbucks. Take that, Cuban coffee!

Alex Pickett has expanded his Bipartisan guide to ridiculous leglislation.

Alex Pickett's guide to ridiculous legislation

My good friend and former Creative Loafing colleague Alex Pickett has a nice series going on a few curious bills that have been proposed by Florida lawmakers. They include legislation to ban novelty lighters, curtailing funding for public art (courtesy Ronda Storms, of course), increasing penalties for stealing electricity if used to grow marijuana,  prohibting the term “illegal alien,” and banning saggy pants in public schools.

And Alex Pickett makes three

The circle is now complete.

When, shortly before Christmas, Creative Loafing laid off three members of its Tampa editorial staff — Alex Pickett, Wade Tatangelo and yours truly — Wade dubbed us “The Three Amigos.” Shared adversity forever forged our bond.