Stories

Feature Story Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association President Fran Tate says bus stops like this one at 34th Street and 26th Avenue lack adequate shelter from the Florida sun and rain.

Jackson Heights leader calls for public transit improvements in East Tampa

Neighborhood Association president calls on state and local officials to prioritize projects that center on what she identifies as an overdue need to improve public transit service in East Tampa.

Feature Story Children who attend the local Potter Elementary School should have sidewalks keeping them away from traffic, but inadequate and incomplete sidewalks require kids to cross busy streets to find safe spots to walk or bicycle.

City prioritizes road safety in East Tampa, but tight budgets create roadblocks

Three major transportation projects in East Tampa currently respond to urgent needs identified by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Vision Zero: City of Tampa, and Vision Zero Hillsborough.

Development News Tropicana Field property included in RFP.

St. Pete picks Miami developer to transform area around The Trop

The City of St. Petersburg picks the developer of edgy Midtown Miami to tackle the transformation of the property surrounding Tropicana Field.

Feature Story Family fun awaits on Big Cypress Swamp Walk.

Looking for unique gifts this holiday season? Shop local2021 gift guide from 83 Degrees

From artist-made pieces to experiences for sharing, our Tampa Bay Area guide to shopping local for the holidays offers a selection of unique and special gifts.

Development News Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman

Community Land Trust could help alleviate local affordable housing crisis

Hillsborough County's proposed new Community Land Trust is designed to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis in Tampa and surrounding communities.

Feature Story Installation view, Marks Made: Prints by American Women Artists, 1960s to the Present, an exhibition curated by Katherine Pill in 2015.

Shaping the local art scene: Katherine Pill at the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete3rd of 5 in a series about local curators

While Curator Katherine Pill does research for exhibitions on artists who may not have gotten their due acclaim while they were alive, her passion is working with living artists -- especially women and underrepresented emerging artists.

Feature Story Artists and other makers display their creations.

Creative exploration SPACEcraft lands at parks around Pinellas

SPACEcraft, a free hands-on mobile art experience built out of shipping containers, moves around public parks in St. Pete, Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, and Palm Harbor.

Buzz Rendering retail market, street edge Osceola Avenue (City Hall site).

Clearwater's new city manager sees opportunities ahead

New Clearwater City Manager Jon Jennings has his work cut out for him, including the revitalization of downtown and development of the waterfront.

Buzz The new smart car pilot program launched by Florida DOT, HART, and BEEP of Orlando gives driverless rides along the Tampa Riverwalk and in Tampa Heights.

BEEP, beep! New smart car takes you along Tampa Riverwalk

The Tampa Riverwalk isn't just for pedestrians and bicyclists anymore. Be on the look out and hop onboard a new smart car offering driverless service around a portion of downtown.

For Good .

Local artists head to sea to capture essence of research vessel

Florida artists Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse are crossing the ocean aboard the Falkor to capture its essence in paintings, images, and film while calling attention to climate change.

For Good Betsy Lewis-Hohe, Fun in the Sun!

One Day Tampa Bay exhibition aims to visually capture our livesSee it at the Dunedin Fine Art Center

The images taken by professional as well as amateur photographers will be on display at the Dunedin Fine Art Center through Dec. 23.

Innovation News Anyone can submit their own poetry via a box on the side of the Poetry Post.

All about Art on the Block: Poetry Posts to open calls to artists

Looking to apply for Tampa's Art on the Block program but don’t know where to start? Join Robin Nigh and Melissa Davies on a Nov. 17 webinar to learn more about the process and what they want.

Innovation News Alexsandra Wolfe runs Pure-Sipity, a company combatting date rape.

UT gains recognition at global pitch conference

The University of Tampa made a good showing at the 38th Annual Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Conference and Pitch Competition in downtown Tampa.

Feature Story SaLisa Berrien, who received $100,000 Black Founders Fund award from Google for Startups, is expanding COI Energy, a Tampa-based company, across the United States.

Google Black Founder Fund winner expands energy-saving companyCOI Energy grows from Tampa

Tampa’s SaLisa Berrien has been ramping up her business-to-business energy-saving company, COI Energy, with help from Google for Startups.

Feature Story Margaret O’Mara, author of “The Code’’ and “Cities of Knowledge,’’ says places like the Uptown District have potential to become America’s next Silicon Valley.

Uptown District in Tampa continues to grow, evolve

Investors in the Uptown District surrounding the University of South Florida gather to celebrate ongoing hospital expansions, new Yuengling entertainment complex, and continued redevelopment of RITHM.  

Feature Story The East Tampa chess park proposal earned Joshua L. Jones the AIA Tampa Bay Merit Award for Architecture in 2017.

Keeping a dream alive: Envisioning a chess park in East Tampa

Architect Joshua L. Jones imagines his chess park concept as a seed that could help grow community engagement and civic pride as well as additional investments in East Tampa.

Feature Story .

Book excerpt: Cell to Success by Chance L. Boyd

Entrepreneur Chance L. Boyd of Tampa gives readers an intense glimpse into his life with the release of his debut book, "Cell To Success: A Journey of True Liberation.''  

Innovation News Abacode CEO Michael Ferris

Tampa tech companies TheIncLab, Abacode add more jobs

TheIncLab and Abacode in Ybor City offer top pay, benefits for talented individuals.

Buzz Solar Bear, based in Pinellas, offers solar energy, spray foam insulation, and roofing services.

Pinellas County moves closer to zero emissions by 2050

Pinellas County commits to using 40% renewable energy sources by 2030; 100% for operations by 2040; and 100% for the entire county by 2050.

Development News Skanska will work with Baker Barrios Architects and Convergence Design to complete the renovation by mid-2023.

Renovation, expansion begins on Tampa Convention CenterSkanska is primary contractor

The renovation work on the Tampa Convention Center is designed to make it more attractive in competition for larger groups and gatherings.