GPPCA is once again proud to have been awarded funds from the St. Petersburg Police Department Forfeiture Grant Program, 2020. The funds have traditionally been used to host in-person youth summits. With COVID-19, the Association pivoted to sponsoring at-needs pantries maintained by schools within Greater Pinellas Point.

On Monday, August 23, GPPCA President Barbara Ellis (third from left), Vice President Stephen Waters (fourth from left), and Director and project manager Danny E. White (second from left), delivered backpacks stuffed with essential supplies to Lakewood High School (Florida) Principal Erin Savage. The school has a robust at-need student pantry that serves deserving scholars. Go Spartans!

Click the photo for more detailed eligibility information. Spread the word!

As the summer school break approaches, here is a message from the Saint Petersburg Police Department about the popular street racing and stunt driving activity called 'toe tagging.' 

https://youtu.be/ZRvK19OdtOo

Hurricane Laura on August 26, 2020 as it approached the Gulf Coast. (NOAA)

Whether the Tampa Bay Area has been home for a long or short time, hurricanes and tropical storms are a reality. This is especially true during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, June 1 through November 30, 2021.

Now is the time to refresh storm preparedness survival kits and dust off evacuation plans. There is no such thing as being 'over prepared!' 

To help, the Greater Pinellas Point Civic Association (GPPCA) recommends consulting official resources for facts about storm awareness and preparedness. Here are two such resources: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)

 https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-predicts-another-active-atlantic-hurricane-season

Pinellas County Emergency Management 

https://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/allhazardguide.htm

The GPPCA Board of Directors are up for elections/reelections. Voting will take place at the Tuesday, May 25, 2021, General Meeting via Zoom. View the slate of candidates by term limits in these documents.  

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From the City of Saint Petersburg, Florida as of March 22, 2021

•     JMA Ventures/Sugar Hill Community Partners
•     Midtown Development
•     Portman-Third Lake
•     Unicorp National Development

1. Attend a public meeting. Registration is encouraged but not required. Social distancing guidelines will be in place and masks will be required for in-person meetings.
   – Meeting #1: Mon., April 5 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. (Virtual) | Register
   – Meeting #2: Wed., April 7 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N. (In-Person) | Register
   – Meeting #3: Thurs., April 8 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N. (In-Person) | Register
2. Visit a showroom. Starting April 12, there will be immersive showrooms located throughout the city that are equipped with executive summaries of the proposals, renderings, and the ability to leave your input.
   – North Library: 861 70th Ave. N.
   – Mirror Lake Library: 280 5th St. N.
   – JW Cate Rec Center: 5801 22nd Ave. N.
   – Enoch Davis Rec Center: 1111 18th Ave. S.
3. Submit a comment online. The below form is available for those who would like to submit their thoughts to the Economic Development team.

Community feedback will be collected until the final ribbon is cut on the Tropicana Field redevelopment. Input collected during this shortlist period will be provided to Mayor Rick Kriseman to inform a final development partner selection later this year.

Read the full press release HERE.

For public meeting dates and project updates, visit stpete.org/trop.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies season tickets for the 2021 season, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, are on sale beginning Monday, March 15 at 9:00 a.m. Join the Rowdies family to watch your Eastern Conference Champions defend their title! The team is anxious to return to the championship and take home another trophy. They need you, the fans, to bring energy and excitement back to Al Lang Stadium! While specific dates and times are not yet finalized, the Rowdies will be facing many old rivals as well as hungry, new opponents!  All 2021 season tickets are located in pods of two or four in order to maintain social distancing. The full, regular-season schedule will be announced by the USL in the coming weeks. Due to limited capacity, we encourage you to purchase season tickets to guarantee your desired seating section and attendance to all the matches. Season ticket deposits can be placed online for $100. A Rowdies representative will contact you within 48 hours of placing your deposit. Please keep in mind that deposits are nonrefundable. We continue to work with local public health officials to provide our fans with a safe experience at Al Lang Stadium. A health and safety protocol, which includes additional  information regarding socially-distant seating, mandatory face mask requirements and enhanced cleaning procedures taken by staff, will be announced prior to the start of the season. For more information on 2021 season tickets, visit rowdiessoccer.com/seasontickets or contact a season ticket representative at 727.222.2000 or tickets@rowdiessoccer.com. Tickets subject to availability. Transaction fees may apply. COYR!

As major roadway  infrastructure projects unfold in the Tampa Bay Area, motorists can expect detours, lane shifting and closures and increased travel times in more heavily traveled corridors through 2026. Stay informed about these two major projects via the links below. 

But First, a Trivia Break: The original Howard Frankland Bridge (current day northbound span) was opened to traffic in April 1960, consisting of two northbound and two southbound lanes. Accidents were common on the bridge due primarily to the insufficient cement barrier separating northbound and southbound traffic. The design flaw was even noted in a 1960s ‘60 Minutes’ segment. In 1992, a new southbound span was opened to traffic; the older span was closed and rehabilitated, reopening in 1992. 

Visit these two official FDOT resources for more details about what the future holds to improve traffic flow within Pinellas County and the 1-275/Howard Frankland Bridge corridor. 

GATEWAY EXPRESS PROJECT

https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/235/433880-1-52-01

HOWARD FRANKLAND BRIDGE PROJECT

http://www.tampabaynext.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Howard-Frankland-Bridge-TBN-presentation-2018-09-17_without-Animations.pdf

Green thumb? Want to sell produce? Check out this innovation from the City of Saint Petersburg City Council. Ord448-H LDR 2020-05 Memo January 21.pdf

Report internet fraud to the Florida Attorney General at: Florida Attorney General - Internet Fraud (myfloridalegal.com)