Tidbits

DUNEDIN___________________________

After a successful stint along the St. Petersburg bayfront, the autonomous shuttle AVA began another test this week in Dunedin, where free rides will be offered through the summer. AVA is short for Autonomous Vehicle Advantage.

AVA riders in Dunedin will experience a different automated vehicle than the one used in St. Petersburg, which carried nearly 5,000 riders over five months. The ongoing testing is a partnership between the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and BEEP, and it receives funding from the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA).

GULF BEACHES _____________________

St. Pete Beach Mayor Al Johnson is the president of the Barrier Island

Government Council, the “Big C”, this year, so the group is meeting at St. Pete Beach’s Community Centre in the afternoon of the last Tuesday of each month. The Big C, incorporated in 1990, is a governmental council including 11 municipalities residing on the west coast of Florida, from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater, including: Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island. Visit www.barrier islandscouncil.com/reps.php for more info. Mitchell Shenkman and Mike Braddy of Rotary of The Gulf Beaches hand $1,000 donation to Erin Authier, executive director of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation.

GULFPORT ________________________

Neptune Grill is Thriving

One of Gulfport’s signature restaurants is Neptune Grille, across from the Casino’s west side. It’s a casual Greek and seafood restaurant with water views, live music & an outdoor bar. Greek salads, flaming cheese, gyro platters, classic Greek & seafood entrees. Liquor, beer or wine are available, and you can dine indoors or out. There’s usually a breeze and some shade in the afternoons.

PINELLAS COUNTY __________________

Breeze Airways is flying Tampa

International Airport to Charleston,

South Carolina.

Founded by Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, Breeze Airways will eventually fly 39 nonstop routes between 16 cities. Flights began Thursday, May 27, with routes between Tampa, Charleston and Hartford, Connecticut. Other destinations will be added weekly through July. When its schedule is complete, Breeze will fly 10 nonstop routes to and from Tampa including Louisville, Oklahoma City and Richmond, Virginia.

SKYWAY MARINA ____________________

A new active senior living community is coming soon to the Skyway Marina District. Sarasota-based LifeStar Living closed on a 5.25-acre property at 4595 34th St S for $9 million. The site is currently home

to a self-storage facility and an

Ace Hardware. The first phase of the Manhattan is estimated to cost $125 million and will be comprised of over 80 condo-style homes with modern coastal finishes. Each unit will include 1,050 to 2,600 square feet of living space. The nine-story building will feature high-end amenities and services, including indoor and outdoor dining venues, an outdoor pool, nature paths, a fitness center and spa, 24-hour security, valet services, and priority access to healthcare services that include assisted living and memory care. Later this year, hundreds of

new residents will soon call the Skyway

Marina District home. Pre-leasing began this month for Marina Walk, a 245-unit apartment community located just south of The Manhattan. Additionally, Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie Café will be opening alongside Marina Walk in an outparcel building fronting 34th Street South.

The Addison Skyway Marina, a 308-unit luxury apartment community, and Sur Club, a 296-unit resort-style apartment complex, are also under construction. Lastly, Skyway Lofts, an affordable housing community, broke ground last year and will bring another 65 units to the neighborhood in 2022.

SOUTH PASADENA__________________

South Pasadena Community Church

is bringing its popular Craft & Treasure Sale back Saturday, August 14th. Vendors are being auditioned for the event, which is being held carefully, with the knowledge all of us should be vaccinated by then. Please contact Barbara Posey at 727-381-2499 ext 214.

ST. PETE BEACH_____________________

The Best Pot On The Beach

The only Florida franchise of the Outer Banks Boil Company is open, behind the elevator in the Courtyard at Dolphin Village, 4655 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727-357-BOIL (2645) They offer dinners, take-out (you steam) or catering (we steam) complete with cajun sausage, bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and your choice of delicious seafood items. Add-ons include NC BBQ pulled pork, coleslaw, cornbread and key lime pie. Visit www.OuterBanks SeafoodCompany.com

Sewer pipe installation is complete on Boca Ciega Drive and planning is underway for paving from 75th north from the Community Center past Gulf Beaches Elementary School. Resident input is being solicited for repaving suggestions.

Phase III of the installation of a new sanitary sewer pipe continues to impact traffic on Gulf Boulevard. Phase III will open a large trench and connect the two pipes from Bore Pit 1 to Bore Pit 2. Phase III is expected to be complete and the detour removed at the end of June. The installer expects to return in September to connect the new pipe to the lift station across the southbound lanes.

ST. PETERSBURG____________________

Bayfront, Johns Hopkins All Children’s get Pier naming rights

Bayfront Health St. Petersburg will pay $750,000 over five years for naming rights to the Tilted Lawn, while Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital will pay $250,000 over five years to put its name on the tram that travels the length of the Pier. Bayfront, acquired last year by Orlando Health, wants to demonstrate continuing support of and commitment to the city. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital sees The Pier as a healthy children’s destination.

Lykes Bros., one of the oldest and largest agribusinesses in Florida, is putting a big bet on the future of farming as it invests in Brick Street Farms, an urban farm and market in St. Petersburg. Lykes will take a 20 percent ownership stake in Brick Street Farms because of the deal, said Mallory Dimmitt, vice president of strategic partnerships at Lykes. Brick Street Farms will use the investment to accelerate the expansion of Brick Street Farms hubs, an all-inclusive onsite farming and retail shopping experience in urban cores, said Shannon O’Malley, founder and CEO. The company has self-contained, environmentally sustainable THRIVE containers that will be placed in each hub. Each hub will grow between 16 to 20 acres of farmland on one-third acre lots.

TAMPA ___________________________

Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival resumes July 6-24 at Barness Hall on the USF Tampa Campus. The tuition-free festival brings together 36 of the world’s aspiring collegiate pianists, who are selected from an extensive list of applicants world-wide. This summer four Tampa Bay area pianists will get a taste of RPPF. Tuition for students is covered by Rebecca Penneys Friends of Piano, a non-profit 501c3 organization, supported entirely by private donations. The students are joined by 21 world-class faculty, who work closely with students over the 19-day festival, providing a semester’s worth of private lessons, nightly master classes, special topic classes, faculty presentations, performance opportunities, and abundant practice time on Steinway pianos. Although the opportunity brings requests to audition from around the globe, four Tampa Bay pianists are included in the festival this year. It is not all work. The Shell Island shuttle has been booked for a dolphin watch trip. For info on supporting RPPF and Rebecca Penneys Friends of Piano: www.rebeccapenneyspiano festival.org/support-contact/

WUSF Wins Three Regional Murrow Awards For Election and Health Coverage

WUSF was recognized for its coverage of the 2020 presidential election, along with an Excellence in Innovation award for The State We’re In and an award in the News Series category for Committed, a look at Florida’s Baker Act.

Allegiant is launching six new nonstop routes this summer, and two will connect

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport with Bentonville, Arkansas, and Provo,

Utah. The new offerings from Allegiant include two routes to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which Allegiant will serve for the first time in its history.

There’s a well-circulated story called “The Worry Tree or The Trouble Tree” that would be a great lesson for many of us in these challenging times. It involves a craftsman hired to renovate a farmhouse. A flat tire had made him an hour late getting there in the morning. His electric drill had quit and when he had just finished a rough first day on the job, his ancient one-ton truck refused to start.

While his employer drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, they went in to meet his family together. As they walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward they walked to the car, they passed the tree and the employer’s curiosity got the better of him.

‘Oh, that’s my trouble tree,’ the craftsman replied. ‘I know I’ll sometimes have troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them.

Then in the morning I pick them up again.’ ‘Funny thing is,’ he smiled,’ when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. We all need a Worry tree! _______________________________________________________

LETTERS

Congratulations as you count the days until your actual 50th Anniversary! I loved reading the article and seeing the pictures of both of you, looking healthy, happy, and full of energy and creativity. That’s a pretty good sign that you are enjoying each other and what you are together doing in producing Paradise News! The magazine is a wonderful resource keeping readers and followers abreast of all the reasons we love spending time in this fabulous part of Florida. I’ve forwarded the online version to folks considering whether to make this part of Florida home for at least part of each year, so the magazine certainly has wings beyond our beach communities!

Here’s to many more years of enjoying the companionship of marriage and partnership in producing a fine quality publication. Cheers, and again, congratulations!

SYDNI ANN SHOLLENBERGER, APR Public Relations Consulting 4681 First Street NE, Number 310, St. Petersburg, FL 33703 Cell: 727-741-6012 Land: 727-550-0096 Email: wel1dys@gmail.com, indys1@me.com

OUR KIND OF POUR DECISIONS

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6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach 727.329.1428 | RumFishGrill.com

By Caron Schwartz

“You’ve never been to the Chattaway!”

Such was the response I got to my innocent “where?” when talking with a friend not that long ago.

So when Covid finally abated enough for my parents to safely venture from their assisted living facility, they wanted nothing so much as a restaurant meal. No time like the present for the Chattaway.

The location was a joy. Plenty of parking in a dirt lot surrounded by gaily painted bathtubs full of flowers and shrubs. No curbs to worry about, and a walker-friendly bridge over the koi pond. Seating galore at picnic and regular tables on an amply shaded patio.

As we were debating where to sit, we were approached by a gracious, gregarious woman who guided us to a round table and helped my dad maneuver from his walker to a comfortable chair. (We later discovered she was Jill Frers, a Brit who had founded the restaurant more than 60 years ago.) The delightful ambiance, delicious food, and pitcher of beer left us feeling quite jolly. We vowed to return and check out the English tearoom inside.

So, when my sister arrived from England (where she’s lived since before the Thatcher administration) we could think of nothing more fitting than the Chattaway. Leaving dad to fend for himself, my mom, sister, and I piled into my other sister’s car for the 10-minute jaunt down 22nd Ave. S to the bathtub-bedecked bistro. Again, we were greeted by Jill, who suggested we escape the heat and dine in the tearoom. As we sat at the lace-dollied table we admired the decor – teapots and cups, portraits, posters, statues, hats, maps, and plenty of Wedgwood china tchotchkes – all redolent of Old Blighty.

Another fabulous meal was had.

The Chattaway

358 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg 727-823-1594 www.thechattaway.com

Waterfront Homes • We Build To Suit • Build on Your Lot or Ours • Custom Affordable Luxury

GHD Construction Services, Inc. has constructed 6,500 homes since 1971. If you have any questions pertaining to new home construction, feel free to come by the GHD showroom, call (727) 954-8345, or email to: Info@GHDcsi.com. Meanwhile, look us up on our website at www.GHDCoastalHomes.com.

By Nanette Wiser

The OCC Road House & Museum and Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson are rumbling full-throttle toward their combined Grand Opening Weekend, scheduled for June 25-27. The OCC Road House & Museum is a massive new restaurant and entertainment venue from Paul Teutul Sr. of Orange County Choppers fame, and area hospitality executive Keith Overton. Based on Teutul’s wildly popular OCC brand, the Road House is located on a 9.5-acre complex adjacent to the new Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson, one of the top performing Harley-Davidson dealerships in the nation. The two new neighboring businesses are joining forces to throw “the biggest party of 2021” in celebration of their official openings. “It’s been a wild ride to get here, but now it’s time to celebrate all the hard work, planning and dedication of the teams that are making this day a reality, and Paul Sr., Bert and I agreed that calls for one hell of a party,” said Keith Overton, owner and developer of the OCC Road House & Museum. “We’ve put together an event everyone will love – OCC fans, Harley fans, and anyone who loves good food, music, memorabilia, and fun.” The Grand Opening Weekend kicks off June 25 at 4pm with a private ticketed event to showcase the OCC Road House & Museum and the state-of-the-art showroom of Bert’s Barracuda HarleyDavidson. The evening will include concert performances by country music star David Lee Murphy, known for such hits as “Dust on the Bottle” and “Party Crowd,” and Tobacco Road. Ticketed guests will be among the first to enjoy featured food and drinks from the OCC Road House menu. VIP tickets $50/ person; general admission $20/person. www.shop.occroadhouse.com/ collections/grand-opening On Saturday and Sunday, June 26-27 the OCC Road House & Museum and Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson are open to the public with free tours and live music from Horses Wild, Florida Country, The Little Kings, Doug South Band and more. Visitors can tour the new stateof-the-art showroom and motor clothing showcase at Bert’s Barracuda Harley Davidson dealership, along with all the latest 2021 models. Guests will also be able to check out the new OCC Road House & Museum, which will be decked out with a fleet of Paul Sr.’s custom choppers featured on the hit Discovery Network series “American Chopper,” along with hundreds of rare items from his vast collection of biker memorabilia, many never before seen by the public. The $7 million restaurant and museum will be packed with motorcycle memorabilia Paul Sr. has personally collected over 30 years, including an enormous “patch wall” with tens of thousands of patches from members of the military and first responders over the years. Overton and Paul Sr. welcome military personnel and first responders, past and present, to help continue to fill the patch wall and tribute area with their personal keepsakes, leaving their mark for others to see. An Orange County Choppers Wall of History will feature custom choppers in a “chronology of chrome” detailing the brand’s more than 20-year evolution. Honoring Paul Sr.’s love of animals, a portion of the museum will be dedicated to the hundreds of animals he and his family have saved over the years, as well as to no-kill shelters they support in New York and Tampa Bay. The museum’s store features official OCC Road House Nation clothing and OCC “Dog House” Nation items for their pets. Proceeds from pet retail sales and dedicated events will support local no-kill shelters and animal adoption organizations. With more than 11,000 square feet of indoor space, the family-friendly OCC Road House & Museum will be one of the area’s largest full-service restaurants, with indoor and outdoor seating for more than 370 guests to enjoy a full menu of classic American fare. The restaurant will also feature a massive 25,000-square-foot pavilion for concerts, outdoor dining, a billiards hall, shuffleboard tables, floor games, steel darts, ringer games, foosball and other entertainment and a retail store loaded with merchandise and collectibles for bikers, friends, and fans.

www.shop.occroadhouse.com 10575 49th St. North, Clearwater

Something SAINTly This Way Comes

by Peter Roos

The Saint, a new boutique resort exhibiting a chic Miami Beach or Riviera feel has taken its place with a sunset view on the north edge of St. Pete Beach’s Boutique Hotel district.

On the second-floor, sunset-view deck, of The Saint is a promising new bar and restaurant, 82 Degrees, which plans to serve food all day from breakfast to bedtime. Fresh, locally sourced coastal fare, hand-squeezed craft cocktails, fine wine and spirits will be served on the sunset deck and poolside in an exclusive waterside garden. The owners obviously are aiming their appeal equally at locals and visitors alike, creating a space inviting to regulars and a home away from home for visitors.

Taking a cue from St. Petersburg’s famous mural tour, the Saint features a Vitale Brothers’ mural on the building’s north side.

“It was my dream to have as much natural elements in one place as possible,” said one of The Saint’s owners, Jennifer Varsha. “We have the fire, stone, waterfalls and the breeze. We love the fire bar concept and want 82 Degrees to become the locals’ place to be, to toast the sunset, but also to sit down, relax and enjoy a delightful bite for breakfast or brunch, with superb cappuccinos, mimosas and more.”

The menu looks to be amazing featuring seafood, sensational salads, eclectic dishes and farm to fork delights beautifully prepared and presented. Craft beers and a curated wine list enhance the dining experience.

The Saint will be family-friendly, with open-air atmosphere, featuring live music and a premium full bar. Craft bartenders will offer innovative libations and contribute to the fun, sexy, laid back, yet upscale beach vibe. Executive Chef Andrew Silas has joined the team of 82 Degrees with the goal to make each meal a guest enjoys one worth remembering. Silas has been a chef in the Bay Area for the past decade and has become his own culinary enigma in the local foodie scene. His food often invokes a visceral reaction, inviting the guest to live inside the memory of the experience for an indeterminate length of time.

The hotel has been completely redesigned from the vintage hotel concept gone modern and boutique. The furnishings, while sleek and modern, deliver all that one would need in a home away from home. Top of the line linens, backlit bathroom mirrors, room darkening curtains, Smart TVs, in-room safes, in-room coffee and tea service, in-room robe & slippers, smart alarm clocks, and so much more!

Several rooms sport a nice view of the ocean, pool or courtyard area. Outdoor games such as connect 4, Jenga, bean bag toss/corn hole, and more will be available for poolside entertainment. Guests enjoy complimentary use of pool towels, beach wagons, beach chairs, and beach cruiser bikes during their stay.

Every detail chosen by the owner/developers was made with the goal of achieving 5-star hotel status. You can bet, this boujee boutique hotel will not disappoint!

The Saint Hotel

(727) 360-0120 | info@thesainthotel.com 7201 Sunset Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

www.thesainthotel.com www.eatat82.com

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Dining Daily Dance to Sinatra Saturday Nights 727-346-9800 www.HistoricPeninsulaInn.com

The Coolest Little Hippie Beach Store in Gulfport

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• Linen, Silk, Tie Dye, and Boho styles in the Boutique! • Crystals, Essential Oils, Soaps, Succulents, CBD Oil & CBD Honey in the Gift Shop!

ZAIYA Artizen Market 3119 Beach Blvd South, Gulfport • 678-665-4988 Open 10-5 every day!

By Peter Roos

Gulfport’s Tuesday Fresh Market continues year-round along the shaded street north of the waterfront Casino.

At this time of year, the popular Saturday Morning Market in Downtown St. Petersburg shifts locations to the shaded south end of Williams Park for the summer. Some of our friends like to bike down there with their mesh bags to bring back their treasures.

The Sunday Market on Corey Ave. no longer breaks for the summer. It just starts and ends an hour earlier, 9am-1pm every Sunday, June-September. Corey Ave. Sunday Market operator Tampa Bay Markets wants to say THANK YOU! The support we have received from Paradise NEWS readers this season has been beyond our expectations! THANK YOU to our vendors - the makers, movers, and shakers of the Corey Avenue Sunday Market on St. Pete Beach have worked through this difficult year and brought their smiling faces, great energy and products to the market every Sunday! THANK YOU to our sponsors such as Paradise News for keeping the spotlight on us! Our summer market is on Corey Avenue and Blind Pass Road. We will operate our summer market on a smaller footprint, but continue to provide you with all that is fresh, fabulous and fun! Summer Market hours are 9am-1pm. We look forward to seeing you at the Corey Ave. Sunday Market all summer!

Summer Market

Every Sunday June - September 9 AM to 1 PM on Corey Avenue & Blind Pass

Rooftop Dining, Sunset Views

Popping up all across America, rooftop bars and dining with priceless sunset views are all the rage. Sarasota’s KOJO will open on the third floor of Central Park St. Pete food hall, featuring Asian/Euro fusion flavors from China, Japan and Korea. Here are some of our favorite aeries for frolicking.

Billy’s Stone Crab, Seafood & Lobster Restaurant: With music in The Loft Bar daily at 5:30, awesome specials and early bird dinners, succulent oysters, shrimp and scallops, it’s always 5:00 here. Tierra Verde

BRGR Kitchen + Bar: Custom seasoned burger grinds, paired with hand-cut fries and house-made sauces, eclectic cocktails and the best Bloody on the beach. Treasure Island

Caddy’s: Good food, live music and strong drinks at the new MB location overlooking the Gulf and always a hit with visitors. Madeira Beach, Gulfport, Treasure Island

Ember Rooftop Lounge @ Cambria Hotel: The perfect spot for cocktails, small bites and catching up with the girls. Madeira Beach

The Canopy @ Birchwood Inn: Oo la la, this dazzling lounge is DTSP’s hotspot featuring air-conditioned alfresco bar, private cabanas, fire pits, living room seating, high top tables and voluptuous bay views. Enjoy fresh-fruit infused libations, hand-crafted cocktails, seasonal flatbreads, sliders and apps. Downtown St. Pete

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille: With a second location opening in Tyrone’s Green Iguana, this fabulous Naples and Pier restaurants’ famed Floribbean seafood and snappy drinks on St. Pete Pier serves up sensational views. Downtown St. Pete

Fusion Hotel: Good drinks, simple menu and awesome view of TI from the rooftop bar. Treasure Island

Hi-FI Rooftop Bar @The Fenway: The speakeasy serves classic cocktails with a twist and jazzy names such as the Fenway Sunset (Prohibition Gin, elderflower, lemon & simple syrup), craft beers, wine, a small menu (flatbreads, salads, clam and grits) and live music/jazz. Dunedin

Jimmy’s Crowe’s Nest @ Pierhouse 60: One of the best parties in town with a free shot at nightly sunset celebration, frozen tiki drinks, wings, Buffalo chicken dip and tasty apps. Clearwater Beach

Jimmy’s On The Edge @ The Edge Hotel: Huge rooftop patio with happy hour Mon.-Fri. 3-6pm featuring discounts on draft beer, Rail mixed drinks, house wines, $6 margaritas/pina coladas and 25% off appetizers. Clearwater Beach

Level 11 and Spinners @Bellweather Beach Resort: While Bongo’s on the beach is currently open, the rooftop aeries will reopen later this summer with a stunning remodel of both venues and the hotel, formerly Grand Plaza. St. Pete Beach

Mad Beach Fish House: Casual tiki patio, live music, Floribbean seafood and awesome drinks, especially the Cucumber Mint Lemonade, a refreshing mixture of cucumber, mint, simple syrup, lemonade with Tanqueray or Tito.

Marina Cantina: Unique yummy Mexican dishes (short rib empanadas, ahi tuna tostada, seafood enchilada, shrimp and scallop ajillo) and killer margaritas, especially the Feelin’ Peachy (Milagro reposado, peach puree, tamarind, fresh lime juice, agave). Clearwater Beach

Pier Tiki: Rooftop modern twist on the classic tiki bar from the Birchwood creative culinary owners serving stylish frozen mai tais and daiquiris, sweet empanadas, flatbreads and the best black bean burger in town. Downtown St. Pete

Rooftop @ Berkeley Beach Club: With an all-seafood menu (raw bar, smoked fish, crab louis, smoked salmon carpaccio, charcuterie) from acclaimed chef Marty Blitz, artisan cocktails and a nouveau old Florida vibe, it’s THE place to be Tues.-Fri. 4pm and Sat.-Sun. 2pm open till past sunset. Pass-a-Grille

Teak @ St. Pete Pier: Sensational salads, seafood, pasta and my fave - coconut shrimp, spiced popcorn and pina colada sauce with spectacular views of the city and water. Downtown St. Pete

360 Rooftop Lounge @ Hotel Zamora: Cabanas on a first come first serve basis, with glorious views, Mediterranean cuisine and curated cocktails in this Spanish-style mini-castle overlooking both the Gulf and Bay. St. Pete Beach

Vantage Rooftop Bar @ Karol Hotel: Enjoy tantalizing cocktails and Chef Tony Bonanno’s delish boutique menu, alluring charcuterie and seafood, no surprise given his stints at Bascom’s Chop House and Café Ponte. Clearwater

Vista at the Top @ Residence Inn Marriott: Listen to live music Wed.-Sat. 6-9pm while noshing pulled pork or pastrami sliders, tuna poke and sweet-hot Korean style wings. Indulge in boutique sips such as Work The Petal (Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, Club Soda, Jack Rudy Elderflower Tonic Syrup, Flowers) and Spanish G&T (Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin, Manzanilla Sherry, Jack Rudy Tonic, Mint, Lemon Peel). Happy hour Mon.-Thurs. 2-5pm, Fri.-Sun. noon-5pm. Tierra Verde

ST. PETE BEACH NEW FLOOD PROTECTION STRATEGY

Good Model for ALL Tampa Bay Communities

Story by STEVE TRAIMAN

A comprehensive water threats protection strategy soon to be implemented by St. Pete Beach could be an excellent model for all other Tampa Bay communities with waterfront flooding problems.

The strategy was initially proposed by SPB public works director Mike Clarke in February and city manager Alex Rey confirmed to Paradise News, “the commission approved a

series of work orders for each area at a late April

commission meeting.”

At that Feb. 9 commission meeting, Clarke said, “The city has to expand its approach to mitigate water threats that include all water sources. Through the years 2018 to 2020 there was a growing observation by many residents and staff that the city is experiencing increasingly higher localized flooding caused by natural phenomena occurrences, including abnormally high regular tides, king tides and sea level rise, and in some instances, flooding was exacerbated by rain events.

“Due to these observations, the city changed its policy in mid-2020 to prepare projects to mitigate flooding from bay tidal events, instead of localized flooding from rain events. The most recent data shows that it appears we have reached a pivot point of how we should proceed with our analysis of defending against tide-stormwater inundation and sea level rise.” Rather than continue with historical parallel stormwater master planning efforts, he explained the new approach is to combine projects into one comprehensive water threats protection strategy, with three levels of urgency – a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, 15 years out to 2035, and 30-plus years to 2050 and beyond. He suggested the new strategy to dealing with stormwater will allow the city to develop a comprehensive approach that can be implemented over time.

Clarke continued, “Engineers will track the flow of water to identify where and how it flows inland, and then develop mitigation strategies. In general, water will enter the inland portion of the island, thereby causing disruption by flowing through the existing stormwater conveyance system; it will surge over existing seawalls and other barrier structures, and it will flow through the Gulf sand dune system. It will back up in the existing conveyance system during extreme precipitation events.

NEW STRATEGY DETAILS

“As more information is analyzed and compiled, the city will still identify the location for recommended mitigation and its cost. Discussion will include the public and private responsibilities to bear those costs. The city’s long-term stormwater plan will be updated into a water threats protection strategy. The analysis will center on threats to the island including transportation mobility and access-egress, street flooding, critical infrastructure protection, and private property preservation.”

Clarke also told commissioners five geographical areas have been identified for study. “We should align our engineering analysis to these geographic areas,” he said, “and identify the sources and arrival points to engineer imaginative defensive strategies. Finally, defensive strategies in geographical proximities must be interconnected to provide a single comprehensive island strategy.”

Areas on the island earmarked for study in the 2021 fiscal year budget include: An expansion of the city’s initial study of street flooding in the Don CeSar and Boca Ciega Isle neighborhood … The northern section of the city will have a continuation of analysis from Madrid-CPWG and new task orders given to Kimley-Horn to study flooding issues ... An ongoing seawall study conducted by Cardno will be expanded in Pass-A-Grille … Direct threats to Gulf Boulevard from the Gulf of Mexico will be studied by George F. Young, with a water surge and overtopping sand dune threat from the Gulf analyzed by Kimley Horn; the firm will map all FDEP permits that allow sand dune destruction … and research will also be conducted to assess water threat scenarios, and either validate existing seawall height requirements or make recommendations.

Clarke also suggested additional funding approaches should be explored including grants, fees, environmental bonds, private-public partnerships and others. Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 12 signed a bill that establishes the Resilient Florida Grant Program, available to local communities for flood and sea level mitigation. Options like this are included in the overall comprehensive water threats protection strategy, City Manager Alex Rey confirmed.

KEY ACTIONS CONFIRMED

At the April 27 meeting, commissioners approved several projects and studies, and necessary funding, including:

1. Amending the authorization of repairs to include concrete stormwater structures and inlets throughout the city.

2. Authorizing performance of outfall cleaning and clearing/maintenance services for drains.

3. Performing Boca Ciega Isle Drive stormwater improvements with Rowland Inc., for $251,527.41.

4. Proactively replacing aging reclaimed water laterals beneath the roadways that are scheduled for replacement.

5. Authorizing the utilization of the existing agreement with Rowland, Inc., to address current and future expenditures for emergency repairs on the city’s sanitary sewer system. Having a pre-authorized contractor mobilized to make the repairs increases the city’s responsiveness to address these issues.

6. Authorizing the study of the comprehensive water threat of sea level rise (SLR), king tides, and storm activity as they impact transportation mobility, critical infrastructure operations, and private property. The Gulf sand beach will be addressed separately.

7. The final reports will provide recommendations to protect the island from water threats and provide costs.

8. The Commission approved the costs of water threats analysis task orders for: Cardno, Inc. for $49,989 … Kimley-Horn and Associates,

Inc., for $49,550 …

Madrid-CPWG Inc., for $49,998 … and Halff Associates, Inc., for $50,000.

Once the full study analysis is completed, all recommendations will be presented to the commission. At that time, additional community forums will be scheduled to discuss findings, recommendations, and plans.

MAYOR AL JOHNSON OVERVIEW

Commenting on the overall impact of the city’s new comprehensive water threats protection strategy, Mayor Alan Johnson told Paradise News, “The city of St. Pete Beach is a barrier island that is inherently susceptible to flooding from various sources. In the past our efforts at mitigation concentrated on our stormwater drainage system infrastructure.

“In recent years several of our neighborhoods have experienced ‘sunny day’ flooding caused by abnormally high tides. Occurring more frequently as sea levels rise, these ‘king tides’ are particularly problematic as the salt water is more damaging to lawns, shrubbery and vehicles than stormwater. Our response to this type of flooding is different than handling water from storms.

“In a continuing effort to be proactive, the city has changed its approach and is examining all ‘water threats’ together, regardless of source, and coordinating responses to these threats. This long-range view has the inherent advantage of creating a phased approach to address flooding sources in stages, along with changing conditions, spreading the cost of our response over multiple budget cycles.

“SPB has divided the city into several zones and has contracted with four consultants to address flooding in each of these areas, coordinating their results in a collaborative effort to Hurricane Dennis: The Sea Horse Restaurant at 8th Ave. in Pass-a-Grille photographed in 2005 by Spencer Lucas, Yacht Shots and More

arrive at the best path forward. We expect that some of the actions recommended by the team of consultants will be costly and require a long-term effort to implement. However, we are confident there will also be near-term projects that can be accomplished to begin addressing the various threats to the immediate benefit of our residents and businesses.

“Water will always be a concern to the city as much as it is a source of enjoyment to our lives here. We will continue to explore better ways to co-exist with this feature of our environment that helps make SPB such a special place to call home.

“We will share the results of our initiative with the many other waterfront communities that are experiencing similar problems.”

[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to St. Pete Beach Mayor Alan Johnson, City Manager Alex Rey, Public Works Director Mike Clarke and Public Information Officer Sarah Laracuente, and prior information from Tampa Bay Newspapers.]

[Feature editor Steve Traiman is president of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman, providing professional business writing services since 1993. He can be reached via email to traimancreativecopy@gmail.com or by phone to 727-363-7531.]