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Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is one of just three Black head coaches in the NFL. Florida’s attorney general wants the league to abolish its rule that helps ensure equitable hiring practices. Photo: NFL.com. The State of Florida is extending its widespread ban on policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to the NFL. ​Attorney General James Uthmeier has demanded that the NFL abolish its Rooney Rule, which requires all teams to interview two external minority or female candidates for general manager or head coaching vacancies, or potentially face “civil rights enforcement action.” The initiative and other diversity policies “brazenly” violate Florida law, he wrote in a letter sent to Commissioner Roger Goodell on March 25. ​The NFL adopted the Rooney Rule in 2003 to ensure that “promising candidates have the opportunity to prove they have the necessary skills and qualifications to excel.” Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, was the only minority candidate hired to lead a team this offseason – despite 10 open positions. ​“NFL fans in Florida don’t care what color their coach’s skin is,” Uthmeier wrote. “They care what colors their coach is wearing – and that those colors are winning on the football field.” Attorney General James Uthmeier. Photo: State of Florida. ​Politico reported that Uthmeier sent a copy of the two-page letter to the owners of the NFL’s three Florida-based teams. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars have not publicly responded. ​Todd Bowles, one of just three Black head coaches among 32 NFL teams, leads the Bucs. The selective group also includes Aaron Glenn (New York Jets) and DeMarco Ryans (Houston Texans), both hired in the past two years. ​NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller responded to Uthmeier on Friday. “We are reviewing the letter,” he said. “We believe our policies are consistent with the law and reflect our commitment to fairness, opportunity, and building the strongest possible teams.” ​Uthmeir gave the league until May 1 to confirm that it will no longer enforce the Rooney Rule and multiple other DEI initiatives that consider “race, sex, or any other prohibited classification.” He wrote that “failure to provide such confirmation may result in a civil rights enforcement action.” ​“People with race and sex characteristics that the NFL doesn’t like are deprived of employment and training opportunities available to people with race and sex characteristics that the NFL likes,” Utmeier wrote. “This policy is blatant race and sex discrimination. And it is illegal under Florida law.” ​Corey Moore accepted a full-time scouting position with the Los Angeles Rams in May 2025 after spending 17 years building a powerhouse football program at Lakewood High School in South St. Petersburg. He participated in the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship with the Bucs (2009) and Jaguars (2012). ​Moore’s relationship with the Rams began in 2020 when the franchise launched an apprenticeship program to address league-wide racial disparities. Uthmeier said the initiatives “deprive applicants of opportunities for employment.” ​Rooney Rule critics believe it is a perfunctory exercise that rarely achieves the desired results. Goodell said the NFL would continue evaluating the policy when addressing the media ahead of the Super Bowl. ​“I think we have become a more diverse league across every platform, including coaching, but we still have more work to do,” Goodells said in early February. “There’s got to be more steps.” ​The rule’s namesake is Dan Rooney, former owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His son, Art Rooney II, who currently owns the team and chairs the league’s DEI committee, told ESPN on Friday that the NFL has an obligation to consider Uthmeier’s demands. ​“There’s no question that the environment has changed in recent years,” Rooney said. “We do have an obligation to make sure that our policies comply with the laws, whatever the law is, and whatever the changes in law might be.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

St. Petersburg officials have recommended that four of eight proposals to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field, advance to the next phase of evaluation. ​St. Petersburg officials have recommended that four of eight proposals to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field, advance to the next phase of evaluation. ​However, stakeholders should not expect Mayor Ken Welch, who recently provided a process update, to make a final decision until sometime before the end of the year. According to evaluation forms obtained Friday, staff endorsed proposals from Ark Ellison Horus, Blake Investment Partners, Foundation Vision Partners, and the Pinellas County Housing Authority and eliminated four others from contention. ​Welch said the selection process has slowed “a bit” since the city council approved a resolution in early February advocating for additional land-use studies. While he disagrees with further delaying a pivotal project meant to help fulfill long-deferred promises of economic opportunity at the site, his administration is meeting with stakeholders to discern what would give them “more comfort from the planning perspective.” ​“I still see this moving through a process where there’s a selection made this year, there are public meetings this year … with the community benefits process included in that as well,” Welch told Power Broker Magazine. “So we’re still moving forward with a slight adjustment to incorporate what the council wants to see in terms of additional planning.” ​The city also issued a statement on Friday regarding the proposal process. “At this stage, staff evaluations are an initial review of the submission and do not represent a final selection of shortlisted proposals,” said Samantha Bequer, public information officer. “These evaluations will be forwarded to Mayor Welch for his consideration and determination.” ​Housing and Neighborhood Services Administrator Amy Foster, Managing Director of City Development Beth Herendeen, and Assistant City Administrator Tom Greene each completed a two-page analysis between March 16 and March 19. They evaluated each proposal based on public interest, alignment with the community redevelopment area (CRA) plan, economic development and investment, housing and community benefits, urban design and compatibility, infrastructure and implementation, and development team capacity and feasibility. ​Submissions from Ark Ellison Horus and Blake Investment Partners received favorable remarks in each category. The three evaluators did not score or rank proposals. ​Submissions from Freedom Communities Company, the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, Logical Sites Inc., and Tampa Bay Boom were not recommended for additional evaluation. Each was eliminated for a lack of detail or similar project experience. Here are the four proposals Welch will consider: ​Ark Ellison Horus ​Ark Investment Management, Ellison Development, and Horus Construction submitted an unsolicited proposal in October 2025, which led Welch to launch the land disposition process. The development team’s $6.8 billion pitch encompasses four phases and 95.5 acres. ​Ark Ellison Horus offered $202 million for the land, which includes $50 million in community benefits and demolition of the Trop. The developers pledged to break ground on a new Woodson African American Museum of Florida, provide 446 affordable housing units with street-level retail space, enhance the 16th St. South corridor, and launch a minority-focused business accelerator within the first 1,000 days. ​The proposal includes a total of 3,701 new homes, with 863 designated for people who earn between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Ark Ellison Horus set a small, local, and minority-owned business participation goal of 40% and expects the 20-year project to create 14,296 permanent “higher wage” jobs. ​Foster said the group submitted the “most detailed and thorough proposal that includes many of the previously outlined goals.” She also credited their focus on creating facilities that foster research and innovation. ​However, Foster believes that the city’s infrastructure investment “needs to be further discussed and evaluated.” Herendeen questioned the development team’s ability to complete a project “of this scale.” ​Blake Investment Partners / The Burg Bid LLC ​St. Petersburg native Thompson Whitney Blake, founder of Blake Investment Partners, enlisted the Related Group, a Miami-based development firm, and several local organizations for his $8.1 billion proposal. A 13-acre central park and pedestrian-centered “museum row,” featuring a new Woodson Museum, would anchor the district. ​The developers would purchase 58 acres for $275 million and create 3,600 on and off-site affordable and workforce housing units. Community leaders representing over 20 organizations will serve on a permanent Historic Gas Plant Visionary Panel. ​Studies on disparity and structural racism will inform efforts to provide “meaningful economic opportunities.” The proposal also prioritizes reconnecting South St. Pete neighborhoods, continuous workforce development with apprenticeship and placement programs, environmental sustainability, and innovation. ​Herendeen credited the proposal’s design elements, “including towers influenced by the original Gas Plant tanks,” and connectivity. She also listed “limited specific economic development information, such as the number of jobs created,” as a weakness. ​Greene appreciated the development team’s “limited request for city funding,” just $75 million from CRA coffers. However, he also questioned their ability to “acquire land sufficient to meet the 1,800 off-site affordable housing target.” ​Foundation Vision Partners ​ Former members of the Rays and Hines development team partnered with Will Conroy, founder of St. Petersburg-based real estate investment firm Backstreets Capital, to submit a unique proposal that would allow the city to retain ownership of the land. The group, Foundation Vision Partners (FVP), would take a master planning and infrastructure-first approach to transforming the area into a vibrant, mixed-use community. ​FVP plans to co-create a master plan with the community before starting the project’s design, permitting, and essential infrastructure phase. St. Petersburg would pay an estimated $67 million in upfront costs to unlock $510 million in land sales, according to the proposal. ​While Foster found the proposal “hard to evaluate,” she noted the “relatively low bar for city investment” and potential for “deep community involvement.” Conversely, she believes the project “could become bogged down or convoluted with ongoing public input.” ​Greene wrote that the concept would “allow the city to ensure that the public interests are met throughout the redevelopment process.” He also highlighted the “risk of market value changes during the development period.” ​Pinellas County Housing Authority ​The Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) submitted a proposal with Ascension Real Estate Partners and STORYN Studio for Architecture. It consists of a seven-story affordable senior housing facility on one city-owned parcel within the Gas Plant. ​The building would offer 80 units, ground-level and rooftop community spaces, and direct access to the Pinellas Trail. PCHA would prioritize applications from former residents of the Gas Plant. ​Herendeen said the “limited” project would help activate what is now used for overflow parking during Tampa Bay Rays games. She also listed the “strong development team” as a strength. ​Greene said the project could “provide affordable housing fairly quickly given the location of the property.” Foster wrote that Mark Van Lue, assistant director of housing and community development, would “prefer to include this parcel in the larger [redevelopment] plan to provide a path to an early housing win while larger phases get underway.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. 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Jocelyn Howard, vice president of customer experience for CivicReach, recently showcased the startup at the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub event. Photo by Mark Parker. A civic-focused startup is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to help ensure that communities receive responsive, accessible assistance from overwhelmed nonprofits and local governments. ​CivicReach launched in 2024 from North Carolina’s Research Triangle and recently opened an outpost in St. Petersburg’s Innovation District, at the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub. Jocelyn Howard, vice president of customer experience for the growing startup, said it exists to “improve lives by creating better systems to deliver social services.” ​Howard, presenting at the hub’s monthly Tech X-Change on March 25, highlighted how CivicReach offers an AI-powered phone system that can handle every call, accurately explain program eligibility, securely capture intake information, and route urgent cases to staff. She said the startup’s founders realized that “the need was just so great,” and saw firsthand how limited capacity creates barriers to service. ​ A Chicago-area nonprofit that serves roughly one million people is one of CivicReach’s first enterprise customers. The organization was inundated with energy assistance requests during winter, Howard said, “and because they were spending so much time answering the phone, they weren’t processing the applications in a timely way.” ​“We’ve just recently started going live, and there was a 12% reduction in denials to this energy assistance program,” Howard said. “And the reason is that the staff have their time back. I get really excited about this because that is actually 12% more people who don’t have their energy cutoff in the middle of a Chicago winter.” ​A similar story unfolded locally when St. Petersburg, Duke Energy, and the Pinellas County Urban League launched a temporary Renter Utility Relief program in March 2024. Staff from multiple city departments, some not typically associated with social services, worked overtime to screen over 1,400 applications in a week. Howard, who grew up in St. Pete, said she has spoken with city and county officials. While the startup is working with seven states, local governments are typically “waiting until they have very involved policies in place” before utilizing AI. ​CivicReach’s multilingual voice agents handle high call volumes with a “very human-like” voice, Howard said. The technology first answers the “easy questions” regarding program information, eligibility, and documentation. ​The platform can also route calls, complete forms, and provide referrals in real time. “What we are typically replacing is a phone tree, which we’ve all had the pleasure of experiencing, or a really bad voice recognition robot that is not actually using conversational AI,” Howard said. ​She stressed the importance of working closely with partners to ensure accuracy, transparency, accountability, and compliance. Organizations retain full ownership and control of data, and CivicReach uses encryption and continuous threat monitoring to safeguard sensitive information. ​The system provides analytics on trends, topics, and outcomes to help organizations analyze community needs. “It’s often the first time that the agency we’re working with actually has insight into the phone calls,” Howard said. ​A lack of understanding, combined with bureaucracy, presents a challenge when pitching the platform to agencies. Howard said that explaining “what AI means in the context of CivicReach” is critical when securing new partnerships. ​“The chatbots are usually not very good – they’re just not,” she said. “Where we fit in is increasing the efficiency at each of those steps … and giving staff back the time to do processing.” Howard has a background in social services and public-private partnerships. She noted that CivicReach’s founder, an engineer, also operated a homeless shelter in Boston with his family. ​“He was really oriented towards this and wanted to create a tech company with a mission,” Howard added. “So, government and social services were kind of baked in from the start. And, as I said, there’s just not a lot of companies filling that need.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

City officials have recommended that four of eight proposals for a reimagined Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field, advance to the next phase of evaluation. They will host a public meeting with those development teams this month. Photo: City of St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg residents will have several opportunities to offer their thoughts on shortlisted Historic Gas Plant redevelopment proposals throughout the spring and summer. ​The city announced a tentative timeline for the proposal selection process on Thursday afternoon, following what Mayor Ken Welch recently called a “slight adjustment” to incorporate additional planning. Staff will begin working on the first phase of an Urban Land Institute (ULI) study this month. ​Welch’s administration will also host a public meeting with shortlisted developers at The Coliseum in April. City officials have recommended that four of eight visions for a reimagined Gas Plant, currently home to Tropicana Field, advance to the next phase of evaluation. ​The public meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to meet with prospective redevelopment teams and ask questions about their proposals. A 30-day “input session” to gather additional community feedback will follow. ​“Additional stakeholder engagement meetings may be announced,” states the release. ​Administrators and directors will further analyze the shortlisted proposals in May, following the 30-day public input session. The city will also open an application portal for a Community Benefits Advisory Council (CBAC) Project Committee next month. ​The CBAC is a non-partisan, resident-led advisory board that helps ensure developments receiving significant public subsidies provide positive socioeconomic impacts. Suggested requirements include contracting with small and minority-owned businesses, hiring apprentices and disadvantaged workers, providing affordable or workforce housing, promoting environmental resiliency and sustainability, and supporting public art, health, education, and technology initiatives. ​The city council will select new CBAC Project Committee members at a workshop in May. Thursday’s announcement also states that “additional information will be provided regarding the selection process” that month. ​Welch plans to select a proposal in June, following a “comprehensive review” and “multiple public input sessions.” The CBAC and city council will then formally vet those initial plans “in alignment with our previously established procedures.” ​In July, the CBAC will host separate public and private meetings regarding the selected proposal. Welch and his administration will use the resulting feedback to begin negotiations with the development team. ​“Next steps following the July 2026 CBAC meetings will be announced later this year,” states the announcement. “Additional community engagement opportunities may be scheduled.” ​Timing for the final step, a term sheet, could hinge on the ULI study. In early February, the council, in a 6-2 vote, approved a resolution urging Welch to “pause any action” related to the proposal process and conduct additional planning. ​“I disagree with that need,” Welch said a week before the timeline announcement. “We’ve been planning for more than a decade; we’ve done a lot of planning since then.” ​The ULI report will include “an analysis and aggregation of previous studies, community feedback, and other research,” according to the announcement. Welch reiterated his opposition to selling the land to the highest bidder. ​“The promise was that there would be economic opportunity for all, including the minority community that gave all they had in the name of progress,” he said. ​Council members must approve a contract with the developer that Welch plans to select in July. Municipal elections loom in November. ​Welch believes voters should consider if he is working to move the Gas Plant’s rebirth forward, as he pledged on the campaign trail in 2021. “Did I honor the promises I made as a candidate and then as a mayor? That answer is clearly yes,” he said, referencing the previous deal negated by former Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg. ​“I think that folks have a lot more to look at than just whether a selection has been made by a certain date,” Welch concluded. “It’s looking at the totality of our efforts to bring this to the right conclusion.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Pictured: Florida A&M University “Marching 100,” blossomed under the wings of Dr. Julian White, band director from 1998-2012. Image: Screengrab. This summer, Mt. Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church and Mt. Zion Human Services bring “Summer Band Camp 2026” to St. Pete youth from June 8–12, an experience senior pastor, Rev. Louis M. Murphy, Sr., calls “a turning point.” “This camp is personal for me. The HBCU band experience shaped who I am — as a leader and as a man,” said Rev. Murphy. “We are bringing that experience home to St. Petersburg, to our young people, in our own neighborhood. For many of these students, this week will be a turning point — and we want every one of them to walk away knowing what excellence, discipline, and pride feel like.” Welcoming 150 young musicians for a five-day, HBCU-style band experience built around musicianship, discipline, leadership, and cultural pride, the camp will be led by Dr. Julian White, the legendary former director of the Florida A&M University “Marching 100.” Dr. Julian Earl White is a retired Distinguished Professor of Music, former Chairman of the Department of Music and Director of the famous “Marching 100” Band at Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida. Camp activities will be held at Mt. Zion Progressive at 955 20th Street South and housing will be on-campus at Eckerd College, 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711. Meals will be provided. As Rev. Murphy, Sr., also a former FAMU drum major, brings the cultural authenticity of the HBCU band tradition to St. Petersburg youth, he shared that being part of the FAMU band gave him three lessons that have stayed with him. “The first is perseverance and discipline,” he noted. “In the band, you learn that preparation is everything — that you don't rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your training. You put in the work when no one is watching so that you're ready when everyone is. That principle carried me through the Marine Corps, through business, and through ministry. It never left me.” The second, he relayed, “is leadership. As a drum major, I learned that real leadership is responsibility, not position. You're accountable for the people behind you. You set the standard, you carry yourself accordingly, and you serve the people you lead. I've applied that lesson in every role I've held since.” Finally, he noted that the third lesson was “striving for excellence. We were never allowed to settle for good enough. You gave your best, and then you pushed past it. That standard becomes part of your character — it shapes how you carry yourself and what you expect of yourself for the rest of your life.” Murphy asserted Dr. White’s impact on his own development as a young man. “He invested in me, he held me to a high standard, and a great deal of who I am today traces back to what he poured into me then. That is precisely why I asked him to lead this camp. I want the young people of St. Petersburg to be shaped by the same excellence that shaped me — and to be led by the very best.” He called having Dr. White invest in the youth of St. Pete in the same way the music director invested in him, “a full-circle blessing." Dr. White shared, "I've spent my whole life believing that band can change a young person's direction. For so many of our students, this kind of experience is the difference between a future full of possibility and one without it. That's what we're building in St. Petersburg — not just musicians, but disciplined, confident young people who know what excellence feels like. I'm proud to be part of it, and proud of what Pastor Murphy is doing for these young people in his own community." Dr. Julian White, chairman of FAMU’s music department and band director from 1998-2012, leading student musicians. Image courtesy of Dr. White. A Full Immersion Experience Conceived not only as a music program but also as a youth development initiative, the week will offer a structured, supportive environment that fosters healthy relationships, builds confidence, and points students toward future academic and personal success. The camp will end with a free, public Field Showcase on Friday, June 12 at 12:00 p.m., during which campers will perform the skills and drills they learned during the camp. Dr. White expanded on the beneficial aspects of the camp, stating that a crucial learning aspect will be centered around teamwork. “When playing in a band, everyone has to work together to make sure that the lines are straight while making formations and that the music is balanced. No one person should be heard over the band; everyone should blend and balance their parts.” He also wants students to gain confidence in their abilities as musicians. “The experience will afford them the opportunity to receive first-class instruction. All of the staff are master musicians on their instruments. The confidence that they gain can carry over to all areas of their lives. Being part of a band builds leadership qualities that will remain with them.” He noted that students attending the camp should have some musical experience. “Because the camp is only a week, there is not time to teach basic concepts. As long as students can read music, they will be able to thrive in the camp.” Campers will rotate through full ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, masterclasses, leadership development sessions, and fitness and marching conditioning. The schedule also includes music theory and music therapy components, wellness activities, and structured exposure to college and career pathways — giving students a real preview of college band life. Sections offered include woodwinds (flute, clarinet, alto, and tenor saxophone), brass (trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, tuba/sousaphone), percussion (snare, tenors, bass drum, cymbals, auxiliary), and auxiliary units including flags and majorettes. Drum Major Training is also offered for participants selected by their band directors. Tuition for the full program is $200 per student, including instruction, on-campus housing at Eckerd College, daily meals, and program materials. Key Dates • Sunday, June 7, 2026 — Check-in at 4:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Progressive (955 20th Street South) • Monday–Friday, June 8–12, 2026 — Full camp programming • Friday, June 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. — Field Showcase finale (free and open to the public) Registration Families and band directors can register and find program details at mzprogressive.org/st-petersburg-summer-band-camp. The St. Petersburg Summer Band Camp 2026 is made possible through the generous support of Duke Energy Florida and the City of St. Petersburg, whose investment helps keep tuition accessible for local families and ensures that every camper receives the full residential, college-style experience. Share Your News To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com: and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube.

The long-vacant Commerce Park property, valued at $4.525 million, sits directly across 22nd Street South from the Manhattan Casino. All images: City documents. Mayor Ken Welch’s administration has revived nearly 20-year-old plans to activate several parcels along the historic Deuces corridor in South St. Petersburg. ​The city issued a request for proposals (RFP) on April 6 for the Commerce Park site. Officials are seeking a developer to create a mixed-use and income housing development on the 3.03-acre property at the intersection of 22nd Street South and 7th Avenue. ​The land, which encompasses 19 city-owned parcels, is just north of I-275 and directly across from the Manhattan Casino. Former Mayor Rick Baker’s administration began assembling the property in 2007 to create a job-generating manufacturing and industrial complex. ​Former Mayors Bill Foster and Rick Kriseman subsequently took over the project, with the latter securing a development contract with St. Petersburg Commerce Park LLC. The group planned to build a marine supply manufacturing facility and a motorcycle dealership. ​Construction stalled, and some of the property went to the Deuces Rising Townhomes project in 2019. The city also gave five acres to the Woodson African American Museum of Florida that year. ​However, Welch and museum stakeholders believe the institution should have a long-awaited permanent home in a reimagined Historic Gas Plant District. What currently remains of the Commerce Park site is still vacant. ​“The city’s primary goal for redevelopment is to deliver a high-quality, mixed-use development that activates 22nd Street South through commercial and retail uses, provides mixed-income housing with both rental and homeownership opportunities, and maximizes allowable density,” states the RFP. ​“Due to the property’s cultural and historical significance as a community asset, the City encourages proposals that honor the community’s heritage and promote equitable partnerships, including meaningful opportunities for small, minority, and women-owned businesses.” An aerial view of the 3.03-acre site. The RFP notes that the surrounding Deuces Live and Warehouse Arts Districts are “experiencing renewed investment from the city.” Valued at $4.525 million, the Commerce Park site is “positioned to serve as the focal point of the corridor.” ​The abutting Deuces Rising development is nearing completion, and the city will soon reopen the Manhattan Casino following a $4.8 million redevelopment project. Commerce Park is approximately a quarter of a mile north of St. Petersburg College’s Midtown Center and less than a mile southwest of the Historic Gas Plant, currently home to Tropicana Field. ​Welch’s administration hopes to make up for lost time. Interested developers must “have the capacity to construct this project immediately upon award,” states the RFP. ​City officials are open to leasing or selling the property, and developers must have confirmed or verifiable construction funding sources. They prefer a proposal that is consistent with the “historic uses and vitality” of the Deuces corridor. ​The city will also prioritize proposals that offer affordable commercial space and those that include a voluntary commitment to utilizing small, minority, and women-owned businesses. Additional preferences include energy efficiency and conservation elements, a development schedule that allows the timeliest occupancy of the site, and a project that does not require rezoning. ​Interested applicants have until May 6 to submit questions. Proposals are due by 10:00 a.m. on May 22. Welch will make the final selection, and the city council must approve of any development agreements. The property is adjacent to the Deuces Rising Townhomes development. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Ongoing youth programming in St. Petersburg, including the Mayor’s Future Ready Academy (pictured), will receive funding in the fiscal year 2027 budget. Photo: City of St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch kicked off a Budget Open House event on Monday by pledging to prioritize projects that strengthen infrastructure and support long-term environmental resiliency in fiscal year 2027. ​Residents also advocated for Complete Streets initiatives in South St. Petersburg that promote pedestrian safety, as well as additional funding for programs that uplift wayward youth. While both will receive municipal support, city officials face difficult budgetary decisions ahead of the upcoming fiscal year, which begins in October. ​In January, city council members heard that Welch’s administration must eliminate a $17.87 million preliminary budget gap before the next round of public hearings in September. That amount is more than double the deficit at this point in fiscal year 2023. ​In addition, proposed property tax legislation could eliminate $89 million in expected revenue next year, forcing officials to cut all non-public safety expenditures by 47%. Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz referenced those challenges in her opening remarks before turning the meeting over to Welch, Budget Director Liz Makofske, and dozens of residents who shared their budget priorities. ​“We are navigating rising costs, shifting federal support, and uncertainty at the state level,” Hanewicz said. “In that environment, we must stay focused on what matters most – keeping St. Petersburg safe, resilient, and moving forward.” ​Welch, who took notes throughout the meeting, called feedback from residents vital to finalizing a recommended budget, which the city council must approve on Sept. 17. He said the upcoming spending plan would build on current financial priorities by “advancing economic and community resilience.” ​“As we develop this budget, we will need to make strategic decisions, some that may be difficult, as community needs continue to increase and trend towards outpacing our projected resources,” Welch warned. “However, we know one thing is clear: Our infrastructure needs to be substantially improved to meet the new environmental weather challenges that we are experiencing.” Mayor Ken Welch’s Five Pillars of Progress will guide the upcoming spending plan. Image: City documents. While previous infrastructure investments have proven effective, Welch said, increasing climate threats are greater than expected. He reiterated plans to ask voters to approve a $600 million bond issuance, financed through an additional property tax, through a ballot referendum in November. ​Welch also pledged to develop a budget that “works for all of our residents and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to succeed in our city.” Residents then pleaded with city officials to increase support for Complete Streets projects. ​According to the city’s website, Complete Streets initiatives foster strategic transit connections and improvements while incorporating surrounding land uses. The resulting design provides a “flexible network of routes and facilities, and a variety of modes of transportation that allow for people of all ages and physical and economic abilities to safely and comfortably reach all parts of the city.” ​Meiko Seymour was the first of many residents to advocate for improvements to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South. He said community elders wait at bus stops with no shade, and mothers must push baby strollers in the street due to insufficient sidewalks. ​“These neighborhoods do not need pity, they need sidewalks,” Seymour said of multiple areas throughout South St. Petersburg. “They need crosswalks. They need street lights that work and curbs that meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards and bike lanes that connect to somewhere worth going.” ​Max McCann said city officials should treat street safety “like the crisis it is,” and respond “boldly.” Justin Cournoyer said one street has two realities, as “MLK North has seen a dramatic reduction in crashes for all road users.” ​Lama Alhasan, a member of the Bay Area Dream Defenders, said nonprofits need additional funding for youth programming to address gun violence. Stakeholders must go door-to-door and ensure families are aware of existing resources and help them overcome barriers to access, she added. ​Increasing access to nutritious food in South St. Petersburg was another community priority repeatedly highlighted at the meeting. Welch will present his recommended budget to the city council on July 15. ​For more budget information, visit the website here. City council members will discuss proposed capital improvement investments at a workshop on April 23. Image: City documents. ​Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Developers have long eyed the former Army-Navy Surplus Market site in downtown Tampa. The city plans for it to now house a mixed-used development with over 1,100 residential units. All images: City of Tampa. Underutilized land on the northern fringes of downtown Tampa is slated for a drastic transformation, featuring hundreds of affordable housing units, commercial space, and significantly improved connectivity. ​The city announced on Monday that it selected PMG Affordable, a subsidiary of Miami-based Property Markets Group, to redevelop four parcels between North Tampa Street and East Ashley Drive. Plans include 1,150 apartments, a 30% increase over the minimum threshold of 800 in a request for proposals. ​PMG will dedicate 70% of that total – 805 units – to affordable and workforce housing. Stakeholders, including the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), celebrated a win for those who struggle to afford the cost of living downtown. ​”This is a milestone for downtown Tampa and our affordable housing goals,” said CRA Chairman Luis Viera in a prepared statement. “As the first affordable housing development in Tampa’s Central Business District, we are opening countless opportunities for the individuals and families that need it most. ​“We want to ensure everyone has a chance to live in our flourishing downtown and enjoy a lifestyle that keeps them close to jobs and the places they enjoy most.” A project rendering highlighting street-level retail space. ​Long-eyed for redevelopment, the site just south of I-275 is less than a mile away from Tampa Riverwalk, Glazer Children’s Museum, Curtis Hixon Park, and several other downtown amenities. The CRA purchased the land, which includes the sought-after, shuttered Army Navy Surplus Market property, for $4.5 million in 2020. ​The assemblage also includes the adjacent Royal Street Regional Parking Lot. Project details, including income limits and the amount of commercial space, remain scarce. ​“We are still early in the development process, but it is incredibly exciting to move this vision for north downtown Tampa forward,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “We can’t overstate the importance of workforce housing in our community.” ​Workforce housing typically serves households earning up to 120% of the area median income (AMI), which is approximately $100,000 for two people in Tampa. Developers typically cap affordable units at 80% of the AMI, or roughly $67,000 for two people. ​Castor’s administration began soliciting redevelopment feedback on the site in 2022. Officials issued and subsequently cancelled an RFP last year before selecting PMG in the latest procurement round. ​The announcement notes that the properties are directly adjacent to I-275’s Ashley Drive on-ramp, which, with the city council’s project approval, “would be redesigned to drastically improve connectivity and pedestrian safety between the new development and surrounding neighborhoods.” ​“Not only will existing neighborhoods benefit from the improved connectivity, but this project will create hundreds of affordable, downtown homes for teachers, first responders, technicians, service employees, and others who make our city great,” Castor said. ​The development team includes the Tampa Housing Authority, Bank of America Community Development Company, and minority-owned DuCon. ​PMG is a national real estate development firm that is leading the Waldorf Astoria Residences St. Petersburg project across the bay. Its affordable housing subsidiary is also overseeing the redevelopment of Tampa’s Robles Park Village, which encompasses 30 acres and will feature 1,200 affordable units, 600 market-rate apartments, and a 30,000-square-foot community center. ​”PMG Affordable is honored to have been selected alongside our partners by the City of Tampa to revitalize the historic Army-Navy site,” said principal Dan Coakley. “Our goal is to deliver a transformative mixed-income, mixed-use community that enhances quality of life through affordable and attainably priced housing, activated retail, and public open spaces. “As planning progresses, we are committed to collaborating closely with residents and local stakeholders to ensure the project reflects the needs and priorities of north downtown.” The development will provide over 800 affordable and workforce housing units in downtown Tampa. ​Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

An aerial view of Palmetto Park, which, according to a new neighborhood plan, is “experiencing gentrification.” All images: City of St. Petersburg. An evolving South St. Petersburg neighborhood along the 22nd Street South (Deuces) corridor, near the Historic Gas Plant District, has a new guiding vision for the first time since 1992. ​City council members unanimously approved the updated Palmetto Park Neighborhood Plan at their March 5 meeting. The 69-page document begins by noting that the area has “attracted renewed interest from investors” and is “experiencing gentrification.” ​Palmetto Park encompasses 407 acres, is home to 1,492 residents, and sits within the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). The area “stands on the brink of a transformative era,” states the plan, a strategic framework for growth. ​“The current Palmetto Park Neighborhood Plan is older than I am,” Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. told Power Broker Magazine. “It is outdated and does not reflect the true character or needs of today’s Palmetto Park. ​“This new community-driven plan – crafted by residents and stakeholders over a series of workshops, conversations, and surveys – will help guide future development in Palmetto Park, and also at the neighboring Gas Plant.” A graphic highlighting Palmetto Park (black outline), the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (green outline), the Historic Gas Plant District (blue stripes), and the 22nd Street South Business District (purple stripes). ​The area now known as Palmetto Park was once subjected to redlining, which prevented prospective homebuyers from obtaining mortgages in predominantly Black neighborhoods during segregation. However, 22nd Street South was a thriving commercial corridor during the city’s Jim Crow era. ​Post-segregation urban renewal efforts, combined with the construction of I-275, “greatly impacted” neighborhood culture and resources, notes the plan. Mayor Ken Welch’s administration launched the Neighborhood Planning Program in 2022 to help CRA communities reduce blight, improve infrastructure, preserve heritage, and balance growth with long-term stability. ​Neighborhood relations manager Kayleigh Sagonowsky said the program includes three pots of much-needed funding. The city hired Orlando-based Inspire Placemaking Collective, Inc. to facilitate neighborhood engagement, which began in December 2023, and to write the plan. ​Palmetto Park, bordered by 34th Street to the west and 22nd Street to the east, sits between the Grand Central and Warehouse Arts Districts. “So, this site is really primed for opportunity,” Sagonowsky said. ​Inspire Placemaking collaborated with community members and city staff to evaluate Palmetto Park’s streets, homes, and destinations across five key attributes: Connectivity, inclusivity, well-being, resiliency, and empowerment. ​Approximately 88% of neighborhood residents rely on private vehicles, with just 6% utilizing public transportation or bicycles. Sagonowsky said one of the plan’s “biggest takeaways” was that the community wants “more complete streets improvements” to help increase the number of pedestrians and bicyclists. ​Potential projects include repairing or installing sidewalks and bike lanes, adding signalized crosswalks, and intersection improvements, which could include new signage, lighting, and shade trees. Residents would like to see additional benches, pavilions, outdoor fitness stations, picnic areas, dog amenities, and increased connectivity along the Pinellas Trail. The plan highlights “large homes built to maximize use of the lot (left) that are not consistent in scale to adjacent homes.” The plan’s implementation ideas also include wayfinding signage, enhanced recreational amenities, and new mixed-use developments to infill vacant or underutilized lots. Sagonowsky said increasing food access “could be through something smaller, like identifying a site for a pop-up farmer’s market on the weekend, or something larger, like increasing grocery options throughout the neighborhood.” ​Stakeholders want the city to address illegal dumping and believe that additional pedestrian lighting and properly maintained landscaping will increase safety. “When people know that a neighborhood is well taken care of, they’re less likely to commit crimes in the area,” Sagonowsky said. ​Projects within the approved plan are now eligible for city and CRA funding. Councilmember Gina Driscoll called Palmetto Park an “active neighborhood that really knows how to use their voice to get things done.” ​Sagonowsky said residents have already provided a list of implementation priorities, and city officials are now ensuring that “all those things are feasible.” Driscoll noted that the CRA is “huge,” and people often fail to see progress due to “spread out” projects. “If we can concentrate the funding on some of these items, I think that we could really show the strength of the South St. Pete CRA, and what it does for its residents,” she said. A community garden in Palmetto Park. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

City council members must still approve a contract with the recommended design-build team, which includes six local certified small, minority, and women-owned business enterprises. Photo by Mark Parker. ​An evaluation committee has selected a global firm with local expertise to breathe new life into the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina – now a $162 million project. ​New York-based Skanska USA’s proposal emerged from a competitive process on Feb. 20. The prominent development and construction company’s selection represents the latest chapter in an ongoing saga to revitalize a critical facility that is functionally obsolete. ​Skanska’s 92-page proposal, obtained through a records request, outlines an extensive design-build partnership that will “meet the city’s goals for quality, schedule, and cost.” The joint venture, which includes six local certified small, minority, and women-owned business enterprises, still requires approval from the city council. ​In the proposal’s opening letter, Chuck Jablon, senior vice president of Skanska, and Jannek Cederberg, president of Coral Gables-based marine engineering firm Cummins Cederberg, state that the project provides “an opportunity to elevate the marina to its potential as the crown jewel of the St. Petersburg waterfront.” ​“We understand the importance of stakeholder coordination, community engagement, maintaining public access, and ensuring the long-term resilience of the marina infrastructure,” wrote the two partners. “Our team is local, invested, and ready to work side-by-side with the city to deliver your vision with optimal economic and operational outcomes.” A graphic highlighting significantly taller living seawalls that Skanska Cummin Cederberg would install throughout the downtown waterfront. Image: Skanska USA. ​A rocky history ​A master plan called for modernization efforts and improvements to docks that reached “the end of their service lives” in 2017. Time and recent hurricanes have exacerbated those issues. ​Former Mayor Rick Kriseman selected Safe Harbor Development to reimagine and operate the marina in 2021. The company wanted a 25-year lease, a nonstarter for city council members. Current Mayor Ken Welch reissued a request for proposals in April 2023. ​Welch’s administration subsequently selected Safe Harbor Marinas. The company planned to invest $48 million into new docks, a welcome center, and a two-story amenity facility with a lounge. ​However, those delayed plans hit a snag in April 2025 after Blackstone, a trillion-dollar investment firm, acquired Safe Harbor Marinas. The city’s agreement was dead in the water by June. Welch then decided to hire a design-build team and retain control of the marina rather than lease it to a private operator. Self-funding the project remains a source of contention. ​ Anchors aweigh? ​The antiquated 640-slip marina is home to approximately 100 residents and several businesses. Responses to the latest request for qualifications were due Dec. 2. ​Welch’s administration significantly expanded the project’s scope and construction requirements. Prioritizing environmental resiliency, including implementing a floating dock system, replacing the Demens Landing bridge and area seawalls, and numerous other infrastructure and utility upgrades, has exponentially increased the project’s cost. St. Petersburg’s Municipal Marina currently provides affordable space for residents and businesses. Photo by Mark Parker. The recommended redevelopment team, Skanska Cummins Cederberg, wrote that the area’s environmental vulnerability “calls for visionary design and proven expertise in marine structures and coastal hydrodynamics to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that achieve the City’s 75-year design life goal.” ​“Our team will model wind and wave scenarios – from everyday conditions to extreme storms – to create resilient marine and upland infrastructure that safeguards the waterfront for generations to come,” states the proposal. ​RFQ documents noted a $148 million budget. Welch’s administration recently told the city council that Intown Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) coffers would cover the $62 million first phase of a $165 million project. ​“I just find this, quite frankly, to be fiscally irresponsible,” said Councilmember Brandi Gabbard. “I’m afraid it’s going to be a boondoggle.” ​Here is a sample of what Skanska Cummins Cederberg pledged to provide: ​• A forward-looking strategic master plan, anchored by in-depth financial analysis that enables the city to unlock maximum long-term value. • Deep technical expertise in marine and coastal engineering, permitting, and environmental services, including a proven track record supporting the city through its Citywide Seawall Strategic Capital Improvement Plan. • Extensive experience building along the downtown waterfront, including the St. Pete Pier and its approach. • Maximized opportunity for local and diverse businesses, through both inclusion in our design-build team and the construction subcontracting process. ​“Skanska is committed to fostering inclusion and diversity throughout all phases of the project, with a strong focus on engaging diverse business entities and uplifting the St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and greater Tampa Bay communities,” states the proposal. ​Skanska operates a Tampa office, and Cummins Cederberg has an outpost in St. Petersburg. The proposal notes that both Jablon and Cederberg are local residents who “appreciate the vibrancy of St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront and understand the complexity of building here.” The city anticipates construction commencing in 2028 and completing in 2031, according to an update on the marina’s website. A graphic highlighting the condition of seawalls throughout the subject area. Image: Skanska USA. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube ​

Pinellas County native Maranda Douglas made a historic first this month when she became 1st Klass Enterprise LLC’s first Black Woman Mariner Captain. Maranda Douglas made a historic first this month when she became 1st Klass Enterprise LLC’s first Black Woman Mariner Captain. In a majorly white male-dominated field, Douglas has carved out a space for herself as the First Black Woman Mariner Captain under Floyd Balentine’s luxury rental business. There are over 11,000 captains employed in the country, 6.7% is made up of Blacks/African Americans; a statistic Douglas now proudly contributes to. Under her title, Douglas will captain charters, mentor aspiring women mariners, support women-focused boating experiences, represent the brand at maritime events, and help expand the visibility of women in leadership roles within the marine industry. She will also help lead and represent the organization’s Sisters of the Seas initiative, a platform that highlights and empowers women in boating and maritime careers. “Captain Douglas is not only an exceptional captain—she is a trailblazer who will help shape the future of our company and inspire more women to take the helm,” said Balentine, who is himself a professional pilot and boat captain. Balentine is the founder and owner of the Tampa Bay–based luxury boating business. His company offers private charter experiences, curated on-water events, and premium maritime hospitality. Guests cruise through Tampa Bay waters on their flagship vessel, the 2022 Crownline 260XSS MY ACE. Floyd Balentine, a professional pilot and boat captain, is founder and owner of Tampa Bay’s 1st Klass Enterprise luxury boating business. Image courtesy of 1st Klass Enterprise LLC. “Bringing Captain Maranda Douglas aboard…represents an important step in expanding visibility, mentorship, and professional opportunities for women navigating careers on the water. Her presence as a professional mariner captain brings visibility and representation to an industry where women — especially Black women — are still underrepresented,” said Balentine. Douglas is no stranger to the marine industry. While she studied at the University of South Florida, she worked as a marketing associate for a yacht charter startup. In 2022, she ran for Clearwater’s city council, where she served on the City’s Marine Advisory Board and completed a water conservation art project in Lake Belleview. Fast forward a few years, and Douglas became the founder and owner of Top Nauts, an exclusive seaside experience that features boat rentals and yacht charters. Douglas is no stranger to the marine industry, as the founder and owner of Top Nauts, an exclusive seaside experience that featuresboat rentals and yacht charters. “My career journey starts with my upbringing in community service, growing as a servant leader, and the results of curiously following my passion for the marine industry. I was honored to be asked to serve as a voice for those directly and indirectly impacted by the various plans for Clearwater’s future,” Douglas acknowledged. Together, Balentine and Douglas set out to create a space for women interested in the marine industry through their immersive programs, including women’s empowerment cruises, mentorship days for interested young ladies, and leadership experiences on the water. Their mission is to create a visible pathway for women to enter the boating world. Together, Balentine and Douglas set out to create a space for women interested in the marine industry, with a mission to create a visible pathway for women to enter the boating world. Image courtesy of Floyd Balentine. “To have a partner with the same mindset is energizing and makes for a great collaboration. I am truly honored for this opportunity to share my passion with 1st Klass Enterprise,” shared Douglas. Douglas is considering enrolling at the Fred K. Marchman Technical College (FKMTC) to become a certified marine mechanic. Until her future enrollment, the newly appointed captain looks forward to a season of fun on the Tampa Bay waters. In 2022, Douglas ran for Clearwater’s city council, where she served on the City’s Marine Advisory Board and completed a water conservation art project in Lake Belleview. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

The governor could remove Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, the city’s first female police chief, from office for not disclosing the immigration status of crime victims and witnesses, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Photo: City of Tampa. ​Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has threatened to remove Tampa Mayor Jane Castor from office for failing to fully comply with immigration enforcement efforts. ​In a letter addressed to Castor and posted to X on Wednesday, Uthmeir claimed that the Tampa Police Department is violating “several Florida laws” by not disclosing the immigration status of crime victims or witnesses. ​“Mayor Castor is forcing sanctuary policies on the Tampa Police Department (TPD),” Uthmeir captioned the post. “These policies must be reversed immediately, or there will be consequences.” ​Florida’s “anti-sanctuary” law, which Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri helped shape in 2019, prohibits any action that “impedes local law enforcement agencies from cooperating or communicating with a federal immigration agency.” The statute was updated in 2025, and Uthmeier noted that local jurisdictions must now “use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law.” ​However, a court has yet to define “best efforts.” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently highlighted the law’s broad reach. ​Local organizations have also warned of the law’s paralyzing effect on crime victims and witnesses. Isaret Jeffers, founder of the Tree Collective, which supports Tampa area farmworkers, told NBC News that several undocumented women are enduring rather than reporting abuse from their partners due to deportation fears. ​Uthmeier’s letter acknowledges Tampa’s alleged policy benefits crime victims and witnesses – not the perpetrators. “TPD ostensibly supports these policies because they do not want illegal aliens to be concerned with immigration consequences by cooperating with law enforcement,” he wrote. ​“But we want illegal immigrants to fear immigration consequences to the extent that they are here unlawfully.” ​TPD’s policies also prohibit officers from participating in “broad-based immigration enforcement actions,” Uthmeier claimed. He said the agency’s ambiguous restrictions are “precisely the sort of conduct that Florida law prohibits and plainly fails the ‘best efforts’ test. You must do better.” ​Uthmeier gave Castor until March 31 to reverse “unlawful” immigration policies. “Failure to do so will risk the enforcement of all applicable civil penalties, including removal from office by the governor,” he concluded. ​Gov. Ron DeSantis removed Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren from office in 2022 due to an alleged dereliction of duty to enforce state laws regarding abortion, gender-affirming care, and a pledge not to prosecute low-level crimes, including trespassing at business locations and disorderly conduct. ​Tampa and St. Petersburg participate in the 287(g) program, which enables limited cooperation between local officers and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Castor, currently serving a second term that ends in May 2027, said in a prepared statement that she is reviewing Uthmeier’s concerns and evaluating policies and procedures” to ensure that we use best efforts to support” federal immigration law. ​“Tampa is one of the safest cities of our size in the nation because we built trust with our community through collaboration,” Castor said. “The Tampa Police Department signed the 287(g) and developed its immigration enforcement policy in consultation with partner agencies and law enforcement associations to ensure all immigration-related actions are carried out according to state and federal law.” ​The Florida Statute guiding the 287(g) program seemingly provides a provision that supports the TPD’s alleged policy. “This section does not authorize a law enforcement agency to detain an alien unlawfully present in the United States pursuant to an immigration detainer solely because the alien witnessed or reported a crime or was a victim of a criminal offense,” it states. ​Castor discussed local and national immigration enforcement efforts at a Suncoast Tiger Bay forum with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector in January. She believes that Americans can agree on deporting people who enter the country illegally and subsequently commit crimes. ​However, Castor also noted that “over 70% of the people who have been deported have no criminal record.” The former police chief said those people “want to come to our country for the same reason our ancestors came to this country; in most cases, to make a better life for them and their families.” ​“We have got, as a nation, come to an agreement on what is acceptable and what isn’t,” Castor added. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube ​

Uniquely Original Art Studio has operated from 915 24th St. S. for nearly 35 years. Photo: Facebook. Time is running out to help preserve and celebrate local business legacies in St. Petersburg. ​The city opened the first round of applications for its burgeoning Legacy Business Program in February. Stakeholders have until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16, to submit nominations for the inaugural cohort. ​​Officials will then select eight small businesses – one from each city council district – that have helped shape the city’s identity, economy, and culture for over two decades. The program’s website notes that legacy businesses are “the barbershop that greets you by name, the family-run restaurant that spans generations, the storefront that has quietly witnessed the city’s evolution.” ​“Their longevity is no accident – it is earned through commitment, consistency, and deep community connection,” the city said of its longstanding establishments. “The Legacy Business Program exists to recognize that staying power and help ensure it continues.” ​Selected businesses will receive a public-facing seal to display; a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the establishment’s enduring impact; signage at the event; and a professionally produced video or photo spread, which the city will then share through its BurgBiz: Legacy Edition publication, website, and social media channels. ​Officials previously said that an interactive map on the city’s website would also highlight participants. In addition, awardees can attend events, training sessions, and panel discussions tailored to meet legacy business needs, such as retirement and succession planning, social media marketing and storytelling, access to legal consultation, and lease negotiation support. ​In August 2025, economic development specialist Brittany Cagle told city council members that the program was about more than recognition. “It’s about safeguarding our roots – the cultural and economic backbone to our city,” she said. ​“Legacy businesses aren’t just our storefronts,” Cagle added. “They are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods.” ​Eligibility requires at least 20 years of continuous operation, a primary physical location in St. Petersburg, and an independent owner with no regulatory, financial, or unaddressed code violation issues. Home-based and multi-level marketing businesses do not qualify. ​Cagle said comparable legacy business programs found success by focusing on non-monetary, high-value technical support that fostered longevity. She also noted the focus on quality over quantity, as selecting smaller cohorts “ensures deeper community impact.” ​City Development Administrator James Corbett will select eight businesses on April 17, according to program documents. The nomination portal will reopen in the fall. ​St. Petersburg is home to 4,218 establishments that qualify for the program after surviving economic downturns, soaring living costs, and exponential growth for over two decades. This unassuming building at 1940 22nd Ave. S. houses a neighborhood market beloved by generations of St. Petersburg residents. Photo: Google Street View. Here are some African American-owned businesses that could meet the city’s criteria: ​​Green’s Bakery and Sandwich Shop: The business opened on the historic 22nd Street South (Deuces) corridor in 1965 and thrived for 37 years until redevelopment forced owner Bernice Green to move to 3065 18th Ave. S. Lorene’s Fish House: The takeout restaurant has served fresh seafood in the Deuces Live District for over 30 years. American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded owner Lorene Office a $50,000 “Backing Historic Small Restaurants” last year to help preserve history at 927 22nd St. S. Uniquely Original Art Studio: Catherine Weaver has operated Uniquely Original Art Studio at 915 24th St. S. for nearly 35 years. Her grandfather built the building, which initially housed the Original Art Studio, in 1947. Lakeview Market: The neighborhood grocer and general store has remained in business for nearly 50 years. Daisy Swinton relocated the market to 1940 22nd Ave. S. after it was displaced from the Historic Gas Plant District. Happy Workers: Founded in 1929 at 920 19th St. S., Happy Workers is one of, if not the oldest, childcare organizations in Pinellas County. ‘R Club Child Care, a nonprofit, now operates the center, and it may not qualify. For more information on program guidelines, visit the website here. Lorene Office’s (left) fresh seafood restaurant has been a staple in the historic Deuces Live District for over 30 years. Photo: Facebook. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Proposals to create and operate a new “Genius Lab” at the Enoch D. Davis Center are due by March 26. Photo: University of Toronto. St. Petersburg is currently searching for a qualified vendor to design and deliver a new hands-on afterschool experience that helps local youth reach their full potential. The Genius Lab will nurture academic growth, personal development, and creative exploration for students in grades 6 through 12, according to the city’s request for proposals (RFP). Participants will receive transportation to and from the Enoch D. Davis Center in South St. Petersburg. Mayor Ken Welch’s administration issued the RFP on Feb. 17, and interested organizations have until March 26 to apply. Officials expect the Genius Lab to welcome youth who attend St. Petersburg schools from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. “The selected vendor will create a learning environment that strengthens students’ confidence, supports their overall wellbeing, and expands their opportunities through innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities, leadership development, financial empowerment, and exercises in mindfulness, to include reflective practices,” states the RFP. “As a service provider, the vendor must demonstrate experience in youth academic enrichment, experiential learning, and student-centered instructional approaches.” The program has a $250,000 annual budget. Applicants must demonstrate experience in youth academic enrichment, experiential learning, and student-centered instructional approaches. Transportation services are a key program component. The selected vendor must pick up Genius Lab participants from schools or home, and transport them to the Enoch Davis Center, workshops, events, and “city-related programs.” Most pickup locations are at south Pinellas County middle and high schools, according to the RFP. The city wrote that operators should ensure “equitable access, with consideration to the schools within the proximity to Enoch Davis Center,” in response to a vendor question. The City of St. Petersburg plans to significantly expand and reimagine the Enoch Davis Center at 1111 18th Ave. S. Photo: City of St. Petersburg. The selected vendor will collaborate with Pinellas County Schools and community partners to align Genius Lab programming with student needs and complement academic curriculum. “Be sure to consider the WHOLE Child Framework,” the city said of an educational philosophy that prioritizes cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Genius Lab programming will integrate technology-supported tools, including adaptive learning platforms, design-based learning experiences, and other nontraditional instructional strategies, to meet the varied needs of students. “The Vendor shall use data-driven strategies to identify academic needs, monitor student progress, and adjust instruction to address learning gaps while fostering overall achievement and personal development,” states the RFP. Parental engagement, including periodic social events, is also a focus. The goal is to strengthen family involvement, reinforce student progress, and create a collaborative learning environment. Genius Lab participants will receive daily nutritious meals or “substantial snacks,” provided by the vendor. Those must be “wholesome, balanced, and sufficient to sustain students’ focus, energy, and well-being,” wrote the city. The program’s operator will coordinate field trips that directly align with Genius Lab curriculum and foster student enrichment, career exploration, and real-world learning experiences. City officials will receive reports on youth progress, participation, and demographics to discern the initiative’s effectiveness. “Data collection must move beyond attendance and retention, providing clear evidence of student learning, skill development, and personal growth,” states the RFP. Interested vendors have until March 18 to submit questions and March 26 to apply. Welch’s administration expects to present an award to the city council on May 28. St. Petersburg will fully launch the Genius Lab within 60 days of executing a contract, according to the RFP. “St. Pete is tackling youth engagement head-on,” Welch previously pledged. “With the WHOLE child framework, we’re investing in literacy, STEAM, mentoring, and workforce readiness, and reaching over 3,000 young people with real opportunities.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (right), Danielle Thomas, senior vice president of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority, and several stakeholders celebrated the organization receiving a Community Project Funding grant for the Ed White Hospital’s transformation at a ceremony on Friday. ​U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has secured $3.15 million in much-needed funding to help ensure St. Petersburg seniors – particularly vulnerable to soaring housing costs – have a unique place to call home. ​The federal funding will support the St. Petersburg Housing Authority’s (SPHA) transformation of the former Ed White Hospital into an affordable senior housing complex. Once completed, the six-story, 121,000-square-foot building will feature 71 apartments for seniors earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI). ​SPHA will move its administrative headquarters to the centrally located facility, which will also house an Evara Health clinic. Castor, speaking at a check presentation ceremony on Friday, said federal funding uncertainty delayed the long-awaited, $43.8 million redevelopment. ​In October 2022, the city dedicated $8.94 million in Penny for Pinellas and American Rescue Plan Act funding to the project. Officials rescinded the allocation in June 2024 due to concerns about delays. ​The city reallocated the money in June 2025 once SPHA restarted construction. However, a funding gap still jeopardized the project. Castor’s award, part of the federal Community Project Funding program, will allow SPHA to bring the hospital’s transformation to fruition. She said Friday that St. Petersburg “has done more with federal dollars to provide housing that is affordable and attainable for our neighbors than just about any city in the country.” “I believe in keeping these projects on track and not letting them get bogged down,” Castor told Power Broker Magazine. “There is an overwhelming need in this community to have more affordable places, especially for seniors.” A rendering of the redeveloped campus. Image: Wannemacher Jensen Architects. In 2025, Congress significantly reduced or eliminated many Community Project Funding requests amid efforts to reduce federal spending. Castor, who represents a wide swath of Tampa and St. Petersburg, secured $17.32 million this year for 13 projects throughout the region. SPHA received the largest award. ​Castor said affordable housing for seniors is “pretty fundamental to their ability to survive.” She also noted that the federal funding “would have been spent out in the world anyway,” and the Community Project program enables congress members to support local priorities. ​Ed White Hospital is adjacent to Booker Creek Park. Residents will have views of the lake and access to a walking trail, basketball courts, and pickleball courts. SPHA will convert a first-floor lobby into a dining room with a catering kitchen. ​The reimagined complex will also feature a community room, computer lab, and fitness center. However, its most vital amenity is on-site clinician services, including preventative care and chronic disease management, that make it easier for seniors to access care. Elodie Dorso (left), CEO of Evara Health, and Danielle Thomas, senior vice president of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. Elodie Dorso, CEO of Evara Health, said affordable housing is “also a health issue.” She credited SPHA for partnering with the organization, and said their vision is “turning policy into progress.” ​The facility could “be the difference between managing a chronic condition and ending up in the emergency room,” Dorso said of its future residents. “When housing is unstable, their health suffers.” ​“This moment is really about more than a check presentation,” Dorso said. “It really represents a shared belief that when we invest in people, especially our seniors, we’re strengthening our community.” ​Danielle Thomas, senior vice president of SPHA, thanked the myriad stakeholders who have supported the ambitious project. She said the agency’s new 18,000-square-foot headquarters would “better serve the families that rely on us every day.” ​The campus will feature 60 one-bedroom, four two-bedroom, and seven studio apartments for seniors aged 62 and older. SPHA expects construction to conclude in the spring of 2027. Additional funding sources include SPHA’s mortgage, Federal Home Loans through the Bank of Pittsburgh and Bank of New York, and the Pinellas Community Foundation. ​The former Ed White Hospital opened at 2323 9th Ave. N. in 1976. Its namesake became the first American spacewalker in 1965 and subsequently piloted the first Apollo mission. ​Edward Higgins White II died in January 1967 when Apollo I caught fire during pre-launch testing. His daughter, Bonnie White Baer, said he would “be so happy and proud” that the reimagined facility will continue honoring his name at a groundbreaking ceremony in August 2024. ​The 162-bed hospital closed in 2014 due to declining admissions and revenue. Rodents and adventure-seeking teenagers were the only visitors for nearly a decade. The St. Petersburg Housing Authority’s award was the largest among 13 projects throughout Tampa Bay. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Long-vacant lots within the Jamestown Apartments and Townhomes complex could feature additional affordable housing. All images: City documents. Evolving plans to create additional affordable housing at a city-owned complex near downtown St. Petersburg are advancing. However, voters will have the final say. ​​A city council committee approved draft ballot language on Thursday that, if approved by residents in November, would enable officials to build affordable housing on nine vacant parcels surrounding the Jamestown Apartments and Townhomes site. The land is currently considered park space despite only featuring “No Trespassing” signs. ​Any changes to the lots, which total 1.7 acres, will require a voter referendum. The city or selected developers could then create up to 37 additional affordable and workforce housing units at the site. ​“There’s illegal dumping – there’s other issues that are happening on these lots,” said City Development Administrator James Corbett. “So, we realized that this was a fairly simple way to take the nine lots that are not being used as parks, and put them into a program where they could be quickly utilized for workforce and affordable housing.” A graphic highlighting the parcels (yellow) that the city wants to remove from an outdated Parks and Waterfront Map. Unity Park is in green. Jamestown opened at 1035 Burlington Ave. N. in 1976 and provides 76 recently renovated affordable housing units. Unity Park borders the complex and abuts 4th Avenue North and the I-375 offramp. ​Aaron Fisch, director of real estate and property management, explained Jamestown’s convoluted land-use restrictions. An area redevelopment plan, established in 1982, required officials to implement buffer space throughout the 3.45-acre site. ​The legally binding Parks & Waterfront Map, approved by voters in 1984, prevents the city from selling or developing the buffer parcels without a charter amendment, which requires a ballot referendum. Fisch said the lots, vacant for over 40 years, “should be integrated into the adjacent neighborhood.” ​Officials once considered creating additional housing at Unity Park but shelved the idea in August 2025. “One of the concerns I have is that it’s always touchy when you ask our residents to approve the removal of park space,” said Councilmember Gina Driscoll. ​“Immediately, their mind goes to what they think of as our traditional parks – not this,” she added. “How do we make sure voters know exactly what we’re talking about?” Another large vacant lot within Jamestown. Developable land is scarce in St. Petersburg. Assistant City Attorney Brett Pettigrew said he would incorporate photos showing that the lots are not part of the park into public notices. Officials could also host community forums and “push out information to anyone in the city we want.” ​“We have options, but the greatest flexibility is now,” Pettigrew continued. “Once this becomes a ballot question, then our options are limited.” ​The city will also highlight that the lots will become affordable and workforce housing rather than market-rate condominiums. Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. said officials should “overly communicate what we anticipate seeing there at that site.” ​Givens also stressed the importance of quickly identifying project “allies.” He would “hate for residents and neighbors to try to oppose this in any way.” ​Corbett said administrators would issue a request for proposals from developers for the five largest parcels if voters approve the referendum. That would include criteria for income thresholds and affordability levels. ​Officials would place the four smaller lots in the city’s land disposition program. However, Councilmember Richie Floyd said the city should expand Jamestown and retain ownership of the property, as was discussed in a committee meeting last year. ​“If that’s not contemplated as part of this, I’m not going to support it,” Floyd said. “I don’t think I can successfully motivate people to take city land and put it into private hands.” ​Driscoll agreed that the city should maintain flexibility in its vision for the site. She also noted that some of the parcels could provide homeownership opportunities. ​Corbett said the ballot language would only require officials to ensure that lots feature affordable or workforce housing. “We can own it, we can sell it, or we can have someone develop it and manage it.” ​Floyd subsequently said that he felt more comfortable advocating for the land-use changes at Jamestown. The committee unanimously approved the draft ballot language, which will now head to the full city council for a vote. A smaller lot in Jamestown that currently serves as “buffer space.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Mayor Jane Castor (right) has updated the Tampa Police Department’s immigration enforcement policies. Photo: City of Tampa. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has revised the city’s immigration enforcement policies days after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier threatened her with removal from office. ​In a letter posted to X last week, Uthmeier claimed Castor was “forcing sanctuary policies on the Tampa Police Department.” Those included not disclosing the immigration status of crime victims or witnesses. ​“The City of Tampa has no intention of violating state or federal law,” Castor said in a letter sent to Uthmeier on Monday. “We will continue to use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law, as well as state law.” ​Florida’s “anti-sanctuary” law prohibits any action that “impedes local law enforcement agencies from cooperating” with federal immigration agencies. Uthmeier noted that municipal governments must “use best efforts” to comply. ​He ordered Castor to reverse all alleged sanctuary policies by March 31 or face civil penalties, “including removal from office by the governor.” Castor subsequently said in a prepared statement that “Tampa is one of the safest cities of our size in the nation because we built trust with our community through collaboration.” ​Uthmeier’s letter stated that the Tampa Police Department (TPD) “ostensibly supports” policies that protect crime victims and witnesses “because they do not want illegal aliens to be concerned with immigration consequences by cooperating with law enforcement.” ​Castor said Monday that TPD has revised its policy and added language from state statutes. The changes went into effect immediately. ​The updated policy reiterates that officers are “not required to provide a federal immigration agency with information related to victims or witnesses “necessary to the investigation or prosecution of a crime” that occurred in the United States. ​“Florida Statute 908.104 (9) does not authorize a law enforcement agency to detain an alien unlawfully present in the United States pursuant to an immigration detainer solely because the alien witnessed or reported a crime or was a victim of a criminal offense,” states the revised documents. ​However, Castor has eliminated a policy that prohibited officers from participating in “broad-based enforcement” efforts, another point of contention for Uthmeier. Those operations include traffic checkpoints, workplace raids, and “saturation sweeps.” The updated policy states that only officers who have completed the federal 287(g) training program and received related credentials can assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. ​Those who become Designated Immigration Officers (DIOs) have the authority to “question any person believed to be an alien regarding their right to remain in the United States,” and to arrest someone without a warrant, “when there is reason to believe the individual is in violation of immigration law” and is “likely to flee the country.” ​DIOs can inquire about immigration statuses if a person is suspected of, or observed engaging in, criminal activity; if they present an articulable threat to public safety or national security; or if the officer has reliable information that the suspect is unlawfully in the country. ​“All law enforcement officers shall have a clear and lawful basis for any enforcement action, investigative stop, or detention,” states the policy. “Immigration status inquiries shall never be initiated solely on the basis of a person’s race, color, ethnicity, accent, manner of speaking, or presumed national origin.” ​As of Friday, the City of St. Petersburg, Mayor Ken Welch, and Police Chief Anthony Holloway had not received any state correspondence regarding a lack of cooperation with immigration enforcement. Welch and Holloway declined to comment on issues concerning other jurisdictions. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Mayor Ken Welch (right) and artist John Gascot at a Black History Month event in 2023. The state has since removed the “Black History Matters” mural outside of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Photo: City of St. Petersburg. ​St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch has pledged to continue fighting legislation that bans local governments from funding, supporting, or taking any official action related to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. ​The Florida House passed Senate Bill 1134 last week despite five Republicans joining all Democrats in opposing the legislation. Critics have bemoaned its ambiguous language and steep penalties for defiance, including removal from office. ​Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has spent the past several years targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, is widely expected to soon sign the bill into law. Welch, in a prepared statement sent to Power Broker Magazine on Friday, said that would “usurp our local community values” and “impede local government’s ability to respond to community needs.” ​“Our inclusive policies are neither discriminatory nor punitive, but are essential tools for effective governance,” Welch said. “Our programs and policies reflect the voices of our residents and the will of the voters who entrust us with the responsibility of serving them. ​“As mayor of St. Pete, I want to send a clear message to our residents – we are committed to fighting this legislation, and we will continue to advocate for our community.” ​Welch’s stance could result in municipal litigation. The bill enables residents to sue for noncompliance, and local officials must pay legal damages if found in violation by a court. ​Elected officials could also face removal from office for perceived malfeasance. Welch called the legislation, which would take effect on Jan. 1 with the governor’s signature, the state’s latest “attempt to continue exerting their authority over local governments, while demanding adherence to a regressive anti-inclusion mindset.” ​“This is not who we are in St. Pete,” Welch added. “St. Pete believes in inclusive progress and a city that works for everyone.” ​According to SB 1134, DEI is any effort to “manipulate or otherwise influence the composition of employees with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation other than to ensure that hiring is conducted in accordance with state and federal antidiscrimination laws.” ​The bill bans any action that promotes or provides “preferential treatment or special benefits to a person or group based on that person’s or group’s race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation; or promote or adopt training, programming, or activities designed or implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.” ​State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky has warned the bill “could mean that you can’t celebrate Women’s History Month or Women’s Equality Day or Diwali or Chinese New Year or Easter.” Rep. Michele Rayner unsuccessfully attempted to pass an amendment that would have allowed local governments to support Pride events. ​The bill does not prohibit municipalities from recognizing state and federal holidays, including Juneteenth or Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Local governments can issue event permits in a “content-neutral manner” and provide public safety services. ​“We can’t predict all the unintended consequences that could result from this legislation,” said Welch, echoing concerns shared by local, state, and federal officials. ​The latter group includes U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, who believes Republican lawmakers are “simply out of touch.” Castor, speaking after a check presentation ceremony for an affordable senior housing development in St. Petersburg on Friday, said the “critical issue is the cost of living.” “Since they’re not solving those problems, they create these distractions for people to try and take your attention away from what’s important,” she continued. “And it’s not serving Floridians well at all.” Congresswoman Kathy Castor (right) said on Friday that state lawmakers should focus on housing affordability, soaring electric bills, and property insurance costs rather than culture wars. Photo by Mark Parker. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube ​

Author Donna Welch (third in line) stands with her husband, Mayor Ken Welch (first in line), family, and friends, holding her novel. All photos by Isis Climes City of St. Petersburg’s First Lady, Donna Welch, has started a new chapter in her life as a debuting author with “Becoming Her – A Pocket of Hope.” Last Saturday, Welch hosted a book release gathering at Enoch Davis Center. The two-hour event featured light refreshments, poetry, and a photo op with the author. Welch’s book is a collection of affirmations, mini messages, and selected reflections intended to “remind readers of their worth, strength, and the freedom to take up space in becoming.” Welch dedicates her book to her late aunt, Cecilia Denise Boykins, whose “life, love, and legacy” continue to inspire her. “Through her words and example, she anchored me in a simple truth: you are enough…Her wisdom taught me to value my worth, stand confidently in my identity, and walk boldly in who I was created to be,“ said Welch. “Becoming Her – A Pocket of Hope” by Donna Welch Welch explained that her “becoming” is a call to servitude in the ways that she shows up for others. Welch grew up in a religious background, attending church six days a week. She cited her call to service as stemming from the combined teachings of her matriarchal leaders, such as her aunt and grandmothers, and from her religious upbringing. “Becoming is not a destination. It is a process. We become because of the people we serve,” explained Welch. Before her title as mayoress, Welch was – and continues to be – a source of strength and support to her community. Taught to serve and act as a helping hand, Welch has actively changed lives through her community service and leadership in the St. Petersburg area. In attendance were Arnisha Whitman and Andrea White, two individuals who have personally felt the grace and influence of Welch’s support. Whitman met Welch in 2010; from graduating from high school to the birth of her daughter, Whitman stated that Welch remained a prominent figure in her life. Whitman described Welch as “an example of grace” that showed her anything was possible with “God, love, and hope.” She thanked Welch for being a pillar, not just in the community but in her life. “If I had to describe Ms. Donna, I would say she’s the one person who shows up for the good and the bad. No matter what you’re going through, she doesn’t pass judgment,” said Whitman. White met Welch at the Children’s Home Network caregiver group. Welch initially reached out to White over email to offer assistance, but White was wary of the support. Through her persistence, Welch showed White her intentions were genuine and helped White in her time of need. “To be able to have a person to talk to about any problem, to understand and embrace you without judgment, makes it a little easier to deal with any situation that life throws at you. I’m grateful, and I appreciate having her in my life,” said White. Donna Welch poses with family and friends at her book release Welch has always kept her hand outstretched to those in need; in 2008, she founded My Daughter’s Keeper, a nonprofit dedicated to “educating, empowering, and inspiring young girls, women, and youth in rising above life challenges and finding their greater purpose,” and currently sits as the organization’s president. Raised in a village of aunts and uncles who poured love and support into her, Welch vows to be that somebody for those who may not have communal support. “For me, this was never about titles or recognition. It was about service, responsibility, and purpose, because purpose is not about recognition; it is about impact. The question then becomes, as you continue becoming, what will you leave behind?” Welch asked the audience. Advocate, servant leader, and now published author, Welch continues to be a mentor to young girls and the women in her community. “‘Becoming Her – A Pocketful of Hope’ was behind all the women, all the young girls, all the mothers, all the phone calls. What can I give back to them that I have? I had a notice,” said Welch. Interested readers can grab a copy of her book on her website. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube More photos

The Chattaway’s roots trace back to 1921. It will soon have new owners for the first time in over 50 years. All photos: Courtesy of The Chattaway. The Chattaway, a South St. Petersburg staple since 1951, will change hands in August. Co-owner Debby Kitto said time and the daily grind of running a restaurant have taken a toll. ​She believes the new owners, who should close on the property at 358 22nd Ave. S. in early August, are investors with the money and energy to revitalize The Chattaway. Kitto’s mother, Jillian Frers, assumed ownership in the mid-1970s and is now 93 years old. ​“It’s just not the same without her there, and a lot of family members really don’t work here anymore,” Kitto said. “For the most part, no one really wants to do it anymore. We’re done.” ​Kitto said she also lacks the money to renovate a 105-year-old building that has withstood numerous storms. “Something is always going wrong in it … The place needs a lot of work.” The Chattaway is known for its outdoor patio. The building opened in 1921 and initially housed a general store. A sandwich and beer shop followed once Prohibition ended. ​The establishment subsequently became the Chattaway Drive-In and changed hands several times throughout the 1940s. Helen Lund purchased the business, which gradually evolved into what it is today, in 1951. ​She was later joined by her son, Everett Lund. He and Frers met through the local theater circuit and eventually married. ​The two became co-owners of The Chattaway in the mid-1970s. Frers, a native of England, and Everett purchased the property in 1981. ​While the establishment has long been known for its vibrant outdoor dining area, surrounded by brightly painted bathtubs filled with flowers, Frers began incorporating British ambience. The Chattaway’s afternoon tea service – held in a formal indoor dining room, complete with elegant furniture and decor – became a defining feature. ​However, the restaurant remained a family affair with renowned burgers, seafood, and fried chicken. Greg Kitto, Frers’ son and a bartender at The Chattaway for roughly 40 years, called it a “blessed place.” ​“We didn’t want to leave, by any means,” said Greg. “I love my job. I love the people of St. Pete.” From left: Greg Kitto, his mother, Jillian “Lady Chattaway” Freers, and her third great-grandbaby, Shilo. ​ Greg, Debby’s brother, said the decision to sell was “completely financial.” The family “did not want to go out of business.” ​Debby called relinquishing the restaurant “bittersweet.” She stressed that the family still loves The Chattaway, which will serve its last meals in mid-July. ​“Sometimes I think I’m just crazy,” Debby said. “But it’s too much. It’s for young people. You have to be there every minute.” ​Business slowed during the summer, as is typical for the industry. Greg noted that the pandemic and Hurricanes Helene and Milton exacerbated mounting issues. ​Debby was initially skeptical that the new owners would maintain The Chattaway. However, architects have visited the site, and she now believes “they’re going to fix it up.” The restaurant is also known for its tea service. ​Greg, who said he runs the restaurant’s “diplomacy department,” is optimistic for the enduring icon’s future in St. Petersburg. “If the people that take over have the same idea as us, they’ll be just as blessed to run it,” he added. “All you have to do is be a good person with a good heart.” ​That mentality has enabled the restaurant to atypically remain in business since the Truman Administration. The family also maintained close ties with surrounding neighbors as urbanization inevitably changed the once-rural area. ​Greg credited The Chattaway’s staying power and relevancy in what is now the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) to “genuine, from the heart goodwill.” ​“We were able to meet some of the first Black cops and hear their stories,” he continued. “All these wonderful people, like the Freedom Riders, who came in here – I was so blessed to meet. These folks have turned into our soul family.” ​Loyal customers will have the opportunity to bid farewell and purchase Chattaway memorabilia in July. Greg has heard that the new owner’s wife “likes to help homeless people,” and he and his family are “just hoping they’re good-spirited.” ​“I’ll tell you one thing: Through the decades, I never turned down one hungry mouth,” he said. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube ​

Erica Sutherlin, current Artistic Executive Director of St. Pete’s acclaimed Studio@620, assumed the reins after being hand-picked by retiring founder and visionary Bob Devin Jones in 2023. Photo: Joey Clay Professional Erica Sutherlin, current Artistic Executive Director of St. Pete’s acclaimed Studio@620, assumed the reins after being hand-picked by retiring founder and visionary Bob Devin Jones in 2023. But the transition hasn’t been without challenges – and it’s Sutherlin’s smart turnaround strategies that are keeping the doors open during a difficult time for live performance. During her six-month shadowing process beginning in January 2024, she quickly realized there were “no policies or procedures” – and no strategic plan. “There was no handing over the book – ‘this is how this studio operates.’ There was none of that. There were no financial structures in place.” It was about to get worse. The organization had just purchased the building at 620 1st Avenue South, which it had rented since 2008 — and while she was in the shadowing process, she got a call saying that there was “no more money” in the coffers. The next shock was learning that no one was coming with the organization. She knew that the board had decided not to bring back the director of marketing — but she didn’t know that the managing director, with whom she had built a partnership during her six-month shadowing period, was also resigning. “I walked into a building on my first day of work, and I was the only one, and that was it.” Sutherlin said she had “$5,500 [in the organization’s bank account] with a mortgage that was $4,100 due.” Sutherlin was honest with the board. “I had to have that conversation, ‘you may have hired me to make the hard decision, because maybe I’m here to close the doors’.” She agreed to give it a year, but she also told them, “I’m not going to do it by myself. It has to be a team effort,” – and if they couldn’t hold up their end, she assured them, “I’m out — because I can’t do this all by myself.” Gaining a six-month grant for the mortgage allowed her “a little breathing room.” As the only one on payroll at the time, Sutherlin was dealing with the physical demands of maintaining the place as well as the administrative end, and was grateful when Charlotte Quandt, a well-respected and beloved local arts stage manager, volunteered to help. (Quandt has since been under contract as the resident stage manager.) Sutherlin started renting the Studio out to a church on Sunday — and considered raising the rent on the second-floor space (”Our prices hadn’t been increased in probably ten years!”). Sutherlin chose to split the area into two separate spaces. She eventually procured a new renter who took both spaces, bringing in additional much-needed finances. The Studio wasn’t out of the woods. With a monthly budget of around $14,000 to run the space, and no robust grant department, there were no immediate grants or income. Since programming had slowed due to the storms of 2024, when Sutherlin started programming again, she strategically eliminated events that couldn’t contribute to her new vision for the Studio, while keeping the ones that had hefty community support and were a boon rather than a drag on resources. Erica Sutherlin, far left, Cadillac Crew Cast, and Powerstories executive director Clareann Despain, far right. Image courtesy of Powerstories Theatre. Her next step was to devise a calendar that was built on partnerships and shared expenses, and she worked with Tampa’s Powerstories Theatre to split the costs of a technical director (TD) and also to co-produce the recent hit play Cadillac Crew. Today, two organizations are sharing the TD and have learned how to plan their seasons to avoid scheduling conflicts. Sutherlin calls it a “blueprint” for the way arts organizations can move forward together to weather the financial realities of the day. Noting that, in a world where everything is more expensive, “people are not necessarily spending money the way they used to,” which, for Sutherlin, means arts organizations need to be highly strategic and continue to find ways to work together. “I think the landscape is speaking to lifting together. We are experiencing obstacles that have intensified, and they’re more rapid. I don’t think that we can problem-solve this by ourselves – [so] how do we save each other? I think the idea of cost sharing is very important.” Sutherlin also stressed that the misunderstanding about how nonprofits function is harmful. “People like to think that when they hear nonprofit, that nonprofits don’t create a profit. Not true at all. A nonprofit should create a profit. It’s just what happens to the profit: it does not go into the pockets of the shareholders – it goes back into the organization.” Acknowledging the positives of her tenure so far, Sutherlin was proud that the Studio employed over 500 artists in 2025. Looking to the future, she is also excited about the new “Arts at Work program” giving young tech and sound crew — costumers, sound engineers, set designers – their first paid experiences through the Studio’s productions. For more information on the Studio@620, and how you can contribute to its future, visit https://thestudioat620.org. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Flooding around Lake Maggiore after Hurricane Milton. Photo: Heather Davidson, Facebook. St. Petersburg is finalizing plans for a Voluntary BuyoutProgram that will offer homeowners in strategic areas up to $400,000 for storm-damaged properties and relocation incentives. ​Residents in high-risk areas, including parts of South St. Petersburg, can receive up to $50,000 to purchase or rent a new home, $10,000 to move to higher ground, and $5,000 to remain in the city rather than relocate. The $5 million initiative is part of the $160 million Sunrise St. Pete disaster recovery plan. ​A city council committee heard a program update on March 12. Mayor Ken Welch’s administration plans to purchase 14 strategically located properties when the initiative launches in the spring or summer. ​“I want to make sure that those who need the help the most – get the help,” said Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. “And if we can keep residents here in St. Pete, I want to focus on that.” The city plans to purchase 14 eligible homes at fair market value, up to $400,000. Image: City documents. Properties within a floodplain or designated risk reduction area that sustained damage during Hurricanes Idalia or Helene could qualify. At least 80% of the voluntary buyouts will benefit households earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI). ​The city will convert purchased parcels into open space or dedicate the land to stormwater management and flood mitigation uses. Officials will prioritize contiguous, repetitive loss homes – particularly those adjacent to parks or city-owned properties. ​Staff will notify eligible property owners about the program before conducting assessments and prioritizing parcels via a ranking system. Residents earning up to 120% of the AMI can receive $50,000 in down payment assistance to purchase a home in Florida with a reduced risk of flooding. ​Residents earning up to 80% of the AMI can receive up to $50,000 to move into an affordable rental unit in Florida for a year. There are no income requirements for a $10,000 incentive to relocate to an area with a reduced flooding risk, and the city will offer those participants $5,000 to remain in St. Petersburg. A graphic highlighting relocation incentives. Image: City documents. Councilmember Brandi Gabbard believes the city should target single-family homes that could increase natural shorelines rather than multifamily properties. “We’re not going to be able to do a large amount of these, and I really think we’re going to have to have a laser focus on this program,” she said. ​“I do not want us to use these funds for people to move outside of the City of St. Petersburg, at all,” Gabbard added. “I want this to be an initiative that helps people stay in the city.” ​The committee agreed with that sentiment. City Development Administrator James Corbett said certain restrictions, including only targeting homesteaded properties, “make sense.” ​However, he also explained the importance of not eliminating potential program participants. The overarching goal is to acquire contiguous lots that will increase environmental resiliency, and Corbett said that would “be difficult when you have people coming in and out of the mix based on their own personal circumstances.” ​Aubrey Phillips, director of strategic initiatives and grants, said the city broadly defined disaster risk reduction areas for the same reason. Administrators will provide more precise location data before seeking the city council’s approval and throughout the iterative process. ​Councilmember Richie Floyd said an in-development interactive map helped him visualize the city’s intent. “If we were to have a good number of homes turn into mitigation properties, especially around a creek – you can see how stormwater drainage areas would be really beneficial here.” ​“Whatever detail you can provide like this in the future just makes my life easier, and I assume that a lot of my colleagues would agree,” Floyd added. ​Phillips said the “excellent amount of feedback” will help the administration refine program parameters. The city’s deadline for publishing general guidelines, which officials can “always go back and revisit,” was Saturday. A map highlighting eligible disaster risk reduction areas (pink). Image: City documents. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

“Bridging the Gap: A Community Conversation” offers families, educators, and community leaders an opportunity to come together to listen, learn, and share their experiences, opening the door to solutions that directly shape the future of young people. Image courtesy of Pinellas County Schools on Facebook. When families, educators, and community leaders come together to listen, learn, and share their experiences, it can open the door to solutions that directly shape the future of young people. “Bridging the Gap: A Community Conversation,” happening on Monday, April 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Enoch D. Davis Center, is designed to create that kind of space, bringing the community together to focus on the achievement of Black students and clarifying the roles families, schools, and local leaders play in addressing educational gaps. As a part of COQEBS’s (Concerned Organization for Quality Education of Black Students) mission to promote, advance, and monitor public quality education of Black students in Pinellas County via a Court-ordered agreement, the event continues the ongoing work to evaluate the Pinellas County School District’s progress toward reducing the achievement gap between Black and non-Black students, with the most recent report of findings presented in April 2025. Doors open at 5:15 p.m., as the evening brings together parents, educators, and local residents to hear insights from recent research, share their experiences, and explore ways the community can work collectively to support student success. Dinner will be provided, and childcare will be available for children ages two and older who are independently using the restroom, allowing parents and guardians to fully participate in the conversation. The evening is hosted by Erik Smith’s Inclusivity Innovative Institute (I3), a nonprofit dedicated to amplify community resources to foster sustainable change. Through I3, Smith works with organizations leveraging community resources and education to drive sustainable change, while emphasizing inclusion and collectiveness. “Families need to understand the outcome data and benchmarks set by the district,” Smith shared, reiterating the Bridging the Gap Plan’s six goals: Graduation Rates, Student Achievement, Advanced Course Work, Student Discipline, ESE Identification, and Minority Hiring. While he acknowledged that, “Essentially, we know the gap still exists,” Smith stressed the importance of this moment as a time to look critically at “what happens to our children if the gap never closes.” “It’s important to focus on the current gaps,” he affirmed, “because with the increasing dependence on technology, cost of living expenses rising, and the wealth gap widening, we must do whatever it takes to create more sustainable opportunities for our children to fully participate in an economy that tends towards building generational wealth.” Bridging the Gap reflects the same values that guide Smith’s work through I3, helping organizations strengthen cultural competence and better understand how communication, leadership, and inclusion shape opportunity. While that work often takes place in business and institutional settings, this event brings those ideas into a community space, creating an opportunity for families, educators, and local residents to come together. In that way, Bridging the Gap is not separate from Smith’s broader mission, but an extension of it, turning the principles behind his consulting work into a conversation centered on students, families, and collective action. “This event, in collaboration with COQEBS, seeks to convene families, social service organizations, and the school district to co-create solutions to bridge the current achievement gap that can limit the earning potential of our children,” Smith explained. Rather than stopping at awareness, the conversation is intended to push deeper into the factors that continue to shape the achievement gap for Black students. Organizers are creating space for families, educators, and community members to not only discuss the challenges students face, but also consider what accountability, support, and community involvement can look like in response. The I3 founder said he hopes the community will walk away with “realistic and doable actions to move the needle, knowledge of what will happen if nothing is done, a greater understanding of proficiency rates, and resources that the district is implementing to address the gap.” With blocks for discussion and other ways for all attendees to participate, he believes attendees will gain “a renewed sense of hope and desire to work together with the district and other organizations to build sustainable pathways for our children to reach their full potential.” Community members who want to be part of the conversation are encouraged to attend and join the effort to support stronger outcomes for local students. Register with the Google Forms link. Join the conversation at Bridging the Gap, a community discussion focused on the barriers impacting Black students and the path toward stronger outcomes. The event will be held on Monday, April 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Enoch D. Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33705. Dinner will be provided, and childcare will be available for children ages 2 and older who are independently using the restroom. Through Inclusivity Innovative Institute (I3), Erik Smith has worked to reshape conversations around race, inclusion, and opportunity in workplaces and across the community. With Bridging the Gap, that mission continues through a conversation focused on the barriers facing Black students and the path toward meaningful change. Image retrieved from Inclusivity Innovative Institute Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

From left: St. Petersburg Councilmember Brandi Gabbard; Enrico Palmerino, co-founder of Dam It Defense; and Erica Hall, executive board member for the Storm Squad, participate in a recent flood mitigation panel. Photo by Kayla Avirett. Enrico Palmerino could have fled St. Petersburg after Hurricane Helene inundated his St. Petersburg home. Instead, he turned a harrowing experience into a thriving business. ​Palmerino and Danny Fustar, a close friend and neighbor, launched Dam It Defense in June 2025. The cofounders have since scaled the family-owned flood barrier fabrication company, which has sold several hundred systems and now employs nearly 20 people. A community-focused company, Dam It Defense partnered with Cajun Navy Relief to provide local resources after a disaster. But Palmerino and Fustar never had a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for its headquarters. That changed on Wednesday, as the two families led tours of the facility, designed to resemble a castle, and hosted a flood resiliency panel that provided expert insight. ​“We want to make sure everybody hears this story of not just a solution that’s going to help them, but of a community of entrepreneurs who create their solutions in St. Pete,” said Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. “That is how you become resilient.” From back left: Enrico Palmerino, co-founder of Dam It Defense; Carlie Palmerino; Kristin Fustar; Danny Fustar, co-founder of Dam It Defense; their children; and Christ Steinocher (right), CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Kayla Avirett. Valuable insight ​A group of neighborhood leaders, known as the Storm Squad, are utilizing new technology to help vulnerable communities mitigate the impacts of flooding. Executive board member Erica Hall kicked off the panel discussion by highlighting the free, publicly available platform’s benefits. ​The CRIS-HAZARD app provided a “completely different” view of storm impacts during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Hall said. “We saw flooding happening outside of designated flood zones, we saw streets becoming impassable before alerts went out, we saw clusters of impact in neighborhoods that historically deal with disinvestment.” ​“But what we also saw was community data moving faster, because it was coming from people experiencing it in real time,” Hall added. “If we’re only relying on official data, we’re already behind the storm.” ​Councilmember Brandi Gabbard stressed the importance of proactive, individual flood mitigation efforts. She encouraged attendees to ensure their storm drains are clear and “be good neighbors and good stewards.” ​Gabbard said that St. Petersburg’s infrastructure cannot currently withstand increasing environmental threats. The city’s Stormwater Master Plan outlines nearly $1 billion in projects that should have been implemented “five years ago.” ​Officials must prioritize stormwater initiatives according to impact, Gabbard said. “We’re going to have to eat this apple one bite at a time.” A ballot referendum in November will ask residents to fund infrastructure projects through an additional property tax. ​Cristian Bragano, an insurance adjustor with VIP Adjusting, encourages home and business owners to invest in a flood barrier system, such as those fabricated by Dam It Defense. He also highlighted the importance of safeguarding flood insurance documents before a storm. ​The panelists agreed that all St. Petersburg homeowners, regardless of requirements, should consider maintaining flood insurance due to evolving risks. Bragano also explained that standard National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies do not provide payments “for you to live elsewhere while your home is substantially damaged.” ​“So, I would just push for understanding the policy and what is covered,” he said. Erica Hall (right), executive board member for the Storm Squad, and Cristian Bragano, an insurance adjustor for VIP Adjusting. Photo by Kayla Avirett. ​Palmerino does not guarantee that his flood barrier systems will prevent water from entering a home. However, he said those and other commercially available products can drastically mitigate “devastation.” ​Now is the time for residents to prepare a “go-bag” that includes copies of insurance policies and photos of their property and possessions, Palmerino said. He also encouraged creating a flood plan; Dam It Defense provides a template. ​Residents should seal doors and windows, put valuable possessions into sealed, plastic bags, and use risers to lift furniture valuable inches off the ground as a storm approaches. “All you have to do is keep water out of your home for hours, not days, in most cases,” Palmerino said. ​Nearly all of Gabbard’s district sits within a Coastal High Hazard Area. Her passion for promoting environmental resiliency stems from the people who “cannot do this work for themselves, but they love this city.” ​Average residents can also have a significant impact on their communities, Hall said, as Storm Squad ambassadors had an intimate understanding of their neighborhood’s vulnerabilities. The organization hopes to expand into other areas. ​“Your neighbors should be the number one team that you build around, because preparedness isn’t just about your house,” Hall elaborated. “It’s also about your network, and it’s about your community.” ​Dam It Defense is now another local resource. The company will utilize its fleet of military Humvees to support search and rescue efforts after a storm. Palmerino encourages anyone who needs assistance to call the company, which also stores supplies and will become a safe haven for displaced residents during storms. “I wanted to let the community know to consider this home when disaster strikes,” he said. Local artist Kris Markovich painted the fabrication facility at 695 28th St. S. in South St. Petersburg to resemble a castle. Photo by Kayla Avirett. More photos Clayton Percy, director of field sales, demonstrates a Dam It Defense flood prevention system. The company stores and deploys its products for customers as needed. Photo by Mark Parker. St. Petersburg-based Dam It Defense serves the entire Tampa Bay area and has partnered with other companies for deployments outside of the area. Photo by Mark Parker. ​Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

The nine-week College for Kids summer program returns to St. Petersburg College’s Gibbs Campus on June 1. Photos: SPC. ​For over 40 years, St. Petersburg College has been planting seeds of ambition in local youth by combining the fun of summer camp with the look and feel of higher education. ​College for Kids is returning to SPC’s Gibbs Campus, its oldest, on June 1. Participating children, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, will spend nine weeks exploring a wide range of topics, from career opportunities and entrepreneurship to the art of dance and storytelling. ​Kiani Bowman, associate dean of workforce development & corporate partnerships, said SPC expects to serve about 80 kids weekly. Many will go on to become first-generation college students. ​“People can’t be it if they can’t see it,” said Bowman, who oversees the program. “I definitely believe that when kids have exposure to being on a college campus, it gets them excited about their education, their future, and where they can go.” ​Several weekly topics fall under the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) umbrella. Those include Adventures of Space Exploration, a beginner and an advanced Science Experiments and Discovery course, and Robotics. ​“What I have seen, in my experience, is that when people don’t know that certain careers exist, they don’t know that there are pathways they can pursue,” Bowman said. “So, giving the kids early exposure to robotics, to manufacturing, allows them the opportunity to learn and experience these jobs - and maybe see themselves in it one day.” Many attendees will go on to become first-generation college students. ​Bowman noted that SPC only hires certified teachers who work for the Pinellas or Hillsborough County school districts, another differentiating factor from traditional summer camps. Local industry experts also serve as guest instructors to help provide students with “real-world, hands-on experiences, based on their grade level.” ​Some weekly topics are inherently more lighthearted than others, such as LEGO Exploration. All include entertaining and engaging activities, “so not only are they learning, but they’re also having fun,” Bowman said. ​However, the most important aspect of College for Kids is its setting. Extensive research has shown that introducing disadvantaged youth to college at an early age has a profound, positive impact on their high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and degree completion rates. ​Bowman has seen those generational benefits firsthand. She said several SPC staff members attended College for Kids growing up, and their children have since participated in the program. ​“There are a lot of first-generation college students, especially here in Pinellas County,” Bowman said. “I think when you have that early exposure, there’s definitely long-term economic impacts.” ​College for Kids is open to students in kindergarten through 8th grade. While the scholarship application window has closed, Bowman urges anyone who needs assistance to contact SPC and “see if we have additional funding available.” ​Registration is $25, and the cost to attend camp is $150 weekly. Parents or guardians can drop children off at the Gibbs Campus as early as 7:30 a.m. ​Camp programming runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from June 1 to July 30. Aftercare, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., is an additional $50 weekly. ​“Usually, once the kids come for one week, they’re going to want to come back,” Bowman said. “Because they make those friends and those lifetime memories.” Here is the weekly schedule: Week of June 1 - Career Exploration & Entrepreneurship Week of June 8 - LEGO Exploration Week of June 15 - Health and Wellness Week of June 22 - STEM Exploration Week of June 29 - Adventures of Space Exploration Week of July 6 - The Art of Dance & Storytelling (Music and Dance) Week of July 13 - Science Experiments and Discovery Week of July 20 - Robotics Week of July 27 - Science Experiments and Discovery I College for Kids is open to students in kindergarten through 8th grade. Share Your News To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com: and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube.

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway (left) and Mayor Ken Welch. Photo by Mark Parker. City and community leaders recently sounded the alarm over a surge in youth crime at Jordan Park. Stakeholders now say the situation at St. Petersburg’s first public housing development has improved. Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders requested a committee discussion in February due to an influx of “criminal and violent behavior” in Jordan Park. Police Chief Anthony Holloway said over a third of calls for assistance in the area from June 1,2025, to Jan. 28 were related to “juveniles, crowds, and brawling.” Holloway subsequently explained that calls for service dramatically increased in December, to 110, before dropping by 39% in January. He said law enforcement expects a citywide spike in youth issues around spring, summer, and winter breaks. “The kids are out of school, they have nothing to do, and people start calling in on them,” Holloway told Power Broker Magazine. “People tend to see them more.” While fights among youth had increased in Jordan Park, Holloway noted that the St. Petersburg Police Department received just 22 calls for brawling from June 1 to Jan. 28. Officers also responded to 51 reports of disorderly juveniles, 24 auto thefts, 24 crowd issues, and 17 narcotics violations. Another 16 residents reported hearing shots in the area from June through January. Holloway said the calls encompass both real and perceived threats. Stakeholders have split on whether residents or visitors are more responsible for the issues. “We can’t stop and ask who lives here and who doesn’t live here,” Holloway said. “So, I can’t tell you where those kids are from unless we make an encounter with them.” Officers completed 188 directed patrols, 100 park, walk, and talk outings, and 34 special assignments in Jordan Park from June 1 to Jan. 28. SPPD has increased those efforts in response to community concerns. A graphic highlighting police activity in Jordan Park between June 1, 2025, and Jan. 28, 2026. Image: St. Petersburg Police Department. St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) leadership told city officials in February that the situation was scaring away residents and employees. The agency manages Jordan Park, which opened between 1939 and 1941 along the 22nd Street South (Deuces) corridor. Nick Fokianos, communications director for SPHA, said increasing police patrols around Florida’s oldest public housing community has “been a big help.” Residents are also “grateful.” The agency hired private security for the Legacy at Jordan Park, a $93 million senior housing development that opened in October 2023. Although nothing is “set in stone,” Fokianos said SPHA is working with the city to increase safety measures throughout the surrounding neighborhood. ​“When you have a large group of youth who are out late, unsupervised, of course, trouble can find them,” he added. “So, we’re trying to guide them to more productive endeavors.” The Legacy at Jordan has enhanced security measures that are cost prohibitive to implement throughout the community. Photo by Mark Parker. Fokianos said SPHA’s social services department facilitates multiple youth programs at Jordan Park. He noted that the “fantastic” team now feels more secure and appreciates the police department’s efforts. Residents are also responsible for their visitors, Fokianos said. “If your guests come in and they engage in bad actions, that can get you kicked out. So, we’re making that clear.” Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. represents the area. He, like Holloway, realizes that “kids are going to be kids.” However, Givens believes stakeholders must also “put some pressure on those parents.” He said the entire community must do its part to “foster a better environment for those kids to grow up.” “It’s not their responsibility to raise themselves,” Givens said of wayward youth. “It’s not the government’s responsibility.” Local leaders must provide tools and resources that parents, who often lack “hope and opportunity,” need to successfully raise their children, Givens said. He also noted the importance of informing residents of available programs. “We just got to keep doing our part,” he added. “And I don’t think we’re doing enough.” Overall crime decreased by 16% in 2025. St. Petersburg recorded its lowest number of homicides, 10, since 1967. Holloway said issues among young adults aged 18 to 24 remain constant. However, he also believes that “we as a community” can collaboratively mitigate the problem. The mayor and city officials have “done a great job of targeting our youth, so that’s why we see those numbers are down,” Holloway said. “How do we address them when they hit this age where they’re becoming adults?” There is hope that current programming for children and teens will help participants as they age into adulthood. Holloway also noted that the issue extends far beyond South St. Petersburg. “We still have fights throughout the city,” he said. “Sometimes people think there are too many young people downtown on a Friday night, so they perceive that as a problem. Or too many kids hanging out at Tyrone Mall on a Friday night – they perceive that as a problem. “So, it’s perception, and I don’t know how we address that.” Jordan Park, Florida’s oldest public housing community, opened between 1939 and 1941 along the 22nd Street South corridor in St. Petersburg. Photo: St. Petersburg Housing Authority. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg in South St. Petersburg will host a grant information session on Tuesday, June 23rd (Photo: Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg) The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg just announced the launch of two new responsive grant opportunities. Local nonprofits, grassroots groups, and community changemakers are invited to a special kick-off and information session on Tuesday, June 23rd. The session will introduce two distinct funding tracks designed to support community-driven solutions in South St. Petersburg: Together With Our Community: A rolling deadline opportunity offering grants of up to $2,500 to support community-based and mission-aligned activities, events, or new programming happening in priority zip codes of 33705, 33711, and 33712. Applications will be reviewed and grants awarded on a monthly basis until funds are exhausted. St. Pete Thrives: Offered in partnership with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, this flagship initiative provides substantial grants of up to $50,000. It targets direct-service solutions aimed at sustaining and scaling existing programs so that all residents can lead healthier lives. Doors open at 8:30 AM for a complimentary breakfast, with the official program running from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Attendees will get a first look at the application guidelines, review timelines, and eligibility criteria, along with a live Q&A session with Foundation staff. Crucially, organizers emphasize that this is an inclusive event. All groups — including brand-new organizations just getting started — are highly encouraged to participate. Because this is an interactive session rather than a drop-in open house, attendees are asked to arrive before the 9:00 AM presentation begins. Click here to register for this event. This event will be held at The Foundation's Center for Health Equity, located at 2333 34th Street South, in St. Petersburg. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube.

Commissioner Roger Goodell believes its Rooney Rule, which promotes diversity in hiring practices, does not violate Florida law despite a recent letter from Attorney General James Uthmeier emphatically stating otherwise. Photo: NFL.com ​Recent threats of legal action from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier will not stop the NFL from enforcing its Rooney Rule. ​Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the initiative, created to increase diversity in key positions, at the NFL’s annual meeting on Tuesday. He pledged to “engage” with Uthmeier, who said last week that the Rooney Rule and similar policies “brazenly” violate Florida law. ​In a letter to Goodell and the owners of Florida’s three NFL teams, dated March 25, Uthmeier gave the league until May 1 to confirm it will no longer enforce the Rooney Rule and multiple other diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. He wrote that “failure to provide such confirmation may result in a civil rights enforcement action.” ​“One thing that doesn’t change is our values, and we believe that diversity has been a benefit to the National Football League,” Goodell told the media on Tuesday. ​“We are well aware of the laws, and where the laws are changing and evolving. We think the Rooney Rule is consistent with those.” ​Republican leadership in Florida will likely disagree with that sentiment. State lawmakers, along party lines, recently passed legislation banning local governments from taking any official action related to DEI initiatives. ​The NFL adopted the Rooney Rule in 2003 to ensure that “promising candidates have the opportunity to prove they have the necessary skills and qualifications to excel. It requires all 32 teams to interview two external minority or female candidates for general manager or head coaching vacancies. ​Some stakeholders believe that teams treat the policy as a perfunctory exercise. Just three – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, and Houston Texans – employ Black head coaches (9.4%), despite that demographic accounting for 53.5% of all players. ​However, Uthmeier believes the Rooney Rule requires teams to “limit, segregate, and classify applicants for certain employment and training opportunities because of race and sex,” which is “precisely what Florida law forbids.” ​Goodell emphasized on Tuesday that the Rooney rule is “not a hiring mandate.” He also noted that the longstanding policy has evolved over the past 23 years, and said the NFL would “continue to do that as circumstances warrant.” ​“It’s intended to try to help, and it’s been used by industries far beyond football and far beyond the United States to help identify candidates, and a diverse set of candidates, to bring in better talent … and folks make those decisions individually,” Goodell said. ​“Those are, I think, principles of how we try to get better. Bring in the best talent.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Hillsborough County Commissioner Josh Wostal asserted on Wednesday that documents related to a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium financing deal exist and should be released to the public. Mounting concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding a Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal stoked ardent debate on Wednesday at a Hillsborough County Commission meeting. ​Commissioner Joshua Wostal filed a motion that would have forced staff and the Tampa Sports Authority to release all draft documents regarding stadium financing negotiations with the Rays. County Attorney Julia Mandell and Administrator Bonnie Wise, much to his dismay, insisted that publicly releasable information does not exist. ​Mandell said she, like Wostal, has “heard about leaked documents.” However, negotiations between the administration and Rays have been confined to in-person or online meetings, and staff notes are not “subject to the public records law or production.” ​“If this board doesn’t want to allow the public to see how we’re attempting to spend their money, then shame on us,” Wostal said. “The records in question are there. They have been shared. They should be made available to the public immediately, and I will testify under oath that they all have been shared among county staff.” ​Mandell was adamant that the county had not received any draft documents regarding the Rays stadium deal. Wostal asked if staff completed an extensive financial risk analysis “in their head.” ​While there “may be some documents that we have created that did analyze various revenue sources,” said Wise, “nothing has been agreed to.” She believes it is “very awkward” to publicly negotiate “a deal of this magnitude.” ​Mandell and Wise both stated that personal notes not shared with anyone else are not considered public records. “Something doesn’t smell right,” Wostal said. A rendering of the proposed ballpark at the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus. Image: Tampa Bay Rays. ​The Rays shared that they plan to contribute 54% of the stadium’s estimated $2.3 billion cost, with public funding covering the remaining $1.06 billion. An initial financing proposal, according to commissioners briefed on the subject, reportedly includes $467 million from the county’s Community Investment Tax (CIT). The money pays for infrastructure, public facilities, and current stadium upgrades. ​Residents approved renewing the CIT, a half-cent sales tax, through a ballot referendum in 2024. Wostal reminded the board on Wednesday that he and multiple colleagues spoke against using the money for new stadiums before that vote. ​Commissioners subsequently allowed the Tampa Bay Sports Authority to negotiate a Rays deal using any expected excess CIT revenue above what was previously earmarked for other projects. Wostal asked if that has since changed without their blessing. ​Mandell was reluctant to “get into a discussion about the things that we have talked about, publicly, at this time.” Various funding sources are under consideration, she added. Wostal said the commission wants to “force” a stadium financing vote on April 15 to keep the Rays in Tampa Bay. The team has stressed the importance of opening a new ballpark in time for the 2029 season. ​“I was promised by the Rays … the Saturday before last, that we would both jointly call the administrator and have her release these documents. Radio silence, nothing,” Wostal said. “Then I received another phone call on Sunday that they do agree, and that I would receive these documents before today’s board meeting … and here we are again, nothing.” ​Commissioner Chris Boles believes formal negotiations would create an “executive work product,” which falls under public record laws. He said the county is operating within a “gray realm” while the public and commissioners are left in the dark. Boles said Hillsborough and Tampa officials are trying to “not lose the Rays,” when they are St. Petersburg’s team “to keep.” He also bemoaned the timeline. ​​“We’re being pushed up against this deadline,” Boles said of efforts to approve a deal. “That’s not our deadline, it’s somebody else’s deadline.” ​Wostal’s motion did not carry a vote. Commissioner Harry Cohen said it was “very irresponsible of us to break open this information” before negotiations had concluded. ​Commissioner Christine Miller noted that “transparency is critical, especially in a project of this magnitude.” She also doesn’t believe that “anything should be released,” and said the board must trust the negotiating team. ​Cohen subsequently motioned to schedule a televised workshop when public documents are available, followed by a public hearing. While Hagan acknowledged there is a “sensitive issue on time,” he supported the additional meetings. ​The commission approved the workshop, with Wostal and Boles dissenting. Commissioner Gwen Myers later asked Mandell to clarify whether the county can use CIT funds to help pay for a new stadium. ​Mandell, who was not the county attorney in 2024, preferred to seek an outside legal opinion and said she would report back to the board before April 15. Wostal said the county should prepare for a legal battle. ​“It’s not if we are going to get sued on this, it’s when we get sued on this – if we use CIT for a new professional sports stadium,” Wostal said. An aerial rendering of the new ballpark and surrounding district. Image: Tampa Bay Rays. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

From left: Lynn Harrell-Johnson, president of the National Council of Negro Women’s St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section; Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida; Rita Wesley, executive assistant to the mayor; Jeannine Williams, assistant city attorney; and Stephanie Morge, vice president of learning and development for Power Design, at the Sunshine Senior Center on Tuesday. Photo provided. Women’s History Month concluded on Tuesday with St. Petersburg celebrating five trailblazers who have left an indelible mark on the city. ​Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida, served as the keynote speaker for the event – “Her Story, Our Future: Women Leading the Way.” She also participated in a panel with Lynn Harrell-Johnson, president of the National Council of Negro Women’s St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section; Stephanie Morge, vice president of learning and development for Power Design; Rita Wesley, executive assistant to the mayor; and Jeannine Williams, assistant city attorney. ​Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders kicked off the event by stating that there is “no way that you can calculate, measure, or count the contributions that women have brought to the City of St. Petersburg.” Seixas, who lost her parents at a young age, then shared her unlikely journey from history major to leading a power utility. She concluded her speech with words of inspiration. ​“You have to be kind to yourself,” Seixas said. “And do not take criticism from somebody that you would not ask for advice.” ​Here are some highlights from the panel, slightly edited for clarity and brevity: ​Inspirations ​Harrell-Johnson, also an accomplished entrepreneur, credited her mother, a maid, for instilling the value of hard work. “I don’t care what job you have, whatever you’re going to give, just make sure you do your best,” she said. ​Williams named Tampa Bay’s first Black elected official, C. Bette Wimbish, as her inspiration. The two met shortly after Williams moved to St. Petersburg, and routinely stressed the importance of perseverance. ​“She was young, she was Black, she was a woman, and she accomplished all these things despite the obstacles in her way,” Williams said of Wimbish. “Every time I have an obstacle before me, I think of her, because they seem small when I think about what she faced.” ​Lessons Learned ​Morge noted that the number of women in leadership positions has increased. She also warned that “they’re not always in your corner.” ​However, those personal experiences still taught Morge how “not to be a leader, and things not to do,” she said. “How can I learn from this person? How do I make sure that I can not only work with them, but also make myself better through that relationship?” The City of St. Petersburg’s Parks & Recreation Department organized and hosted the event. Photo by Mark Parker. Motivation and Perseverance ​Williams said she maintains a “growth mindset” to ensure her kids realize that “mom never stopped learning.” Harrell-Johnson highlighted the reciprocal impacts of keeping close relationships. ​“We don’t know what this journey is going to throw at us, but when it does, we need to be able to stand firm and continue to move forward,” she explained. “You can do that when we have good people who we have poured into, who understand us, and they can pour back into us.” ​Misconceptions ​Wesley said people often assume that “you’re perfect, that everything has been wonderful for you,” without realizing the obstacles faced away from the public eye. She also noted that “sometimes people are watching us to see how we are responding to challenges.” ​“Just keep putting one foot in front of the other,” Wesley said. “Just get up, and sometimes it’s hard to get up.” ​Morge, echoing a sentiment Figgs-Sanders shared in her opening remarks, noted that women often take on multiple roles. She emphasized the importance of seeking help and practicing self-care. ​“I think we owe it to ourselves to do a better job of trying to balance the weight that we carry,” Morge said. ​Moving Forward ​Seixas said the city has a well-earned reputation for fostering connections. She credited decades-old women’s clubs and church groups, and hopes future generations will “carry on that legacy of being involved and engaged and willing to raise your voice – not be a bystander.” ​Harrell-Johnson encourages people to think and “be outside of the box,” volunteer, and not let a professional title become a defining characteristic. Morge said women should “say ‘yes’ to things that bring you joy,” and not be afraid to share their accomplishments. ​“Try something new, and just see what happens,” Wesley said. “Be open to what the universe is offering you. Maybe you’ll like it, maybe you won’t, and maybe it will lead you down the yellow brick road to where you really want to be.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

BayCare Ballpark opened in 2004 at 601 Old Coachman Rd. in Clearwater. The Philadelphia Phillies have held spring training in the city since 1947. Photo: MLB.com The Philadelphia Phillies are seeking approximately $110 million in public funding to renovate their spring training complex in Clearwater. ​Pinellas County’s other stadium saga is seemingly nearing a conclusion as the Phillies presented a new term sheet for the long-discussed project to commissioners on Thursday. The team also plans to extend its lease at BayCare Ballpark through 2047, which would mark a century of spring ball in Clearwater. The upgrades and expansion would cost roughly $205 million, said County Administrator Barry Burton. Commissioners generally supported providing at least $80 million in tourist development tax dollars, generated from a one-cent tax on overnight stays. ​Burton said the Phillies would contribute $75 million, “of which $49 million has already been spent” on previous upgrades, and assume cost overruns. There is also a $20 million state grant, which, as multiple commissioners noted, leaves Clearwater to cover the remaining $30 million. ​Several commissioners said they would support increasing the tourism funding amount to reduce the burden on Clearwater taxpayers. Local attorney Brian Aungst Jr., speaking on behalf of the Phillies and citing a municipal study, said the revamped ballpark and 20-year lease extension would generate a $1.6 billion economic impact. ​“Not one penny is going to the Philadelphia Phillies,” Aungst said. “This is going to the City of Clearwater, for their asset, to renovate and bring it up to date through 2047.” A rendering of new fan amenities along the left field wall. Image: Screenbrab. ​Evolving Costs ​BayCare Ballpark opened in 2004. In 2019, the Phillies unsuccessfully requested $40 million from local tourism tax coffers to complete nearly $80 million in upgrades for the 15-year-old stadium. In 2022, the Phillies proposed transforming the site into a $300 million, year-round player development facility. Ownership updated its plans the following year to include a $250 million mixed-use development after acquiring 13 acres south of the stadium. ​Aungst’s father, former Mayor Brian Aungst Sr., said in 2024 that the team shelved the ambitious project due to an ownership change. He expected a new $65 million proposal that focused solely on stadium upgrades. ​“I was on board as this escalated up until we got north of $65 million, because then I started looking at the numbers and what’s the breakdown between public and private money,” Commissioner Brian Scott said on Thursday. ​ ​“That’s where I’m a little challenged with this, because I always believe that something like this, public dollars should be the last dollars in.” ​While the Phillies will provide $25 million in advertising value over the next two decades, Scott said the deal’s public-to-private funding ratio is still 58.4% to 41.6%, respectively. He also noted that the “timing of this isn’t good,” as living costs continue to soar. ​“With $5 gallon gas prices and the affordability problems that we’ve been having, it’s just the optics of it are not good,” Scott concluded. The Philadelphia Phillies have already installed a new video board. However, the proposed project would add new viewing areas. Image: Screengrab. Sports Tourism ​The county has requested an annual marketing contribution of $850,000 from the Phillies, which would increase slightly over time to account for inflation. Philadelphia is the largest market for hotel revenue in Pinellas during spring training, according to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VSPC) data. ​Approximately 380,000 Philadelphia residents visited Pinellas throughout 2025, and 128,00 came during spring training. “That’s why you have thousands of people who get second homes here, who retire here, from that market,” said Aungst Jr. ​“The reason we’re here is because the Phillies do travel well,” Burton said. “It is an economic engine – not just for Clearwater, but all of Pinellas County.” ​Aungst said the upgrades would boost both the fan and player experience at BayCare Ballpark. Those include: ​New LED field lighting A larger concourse Enhancement to the west plaza fan entrance Seat replacements A new center field fan deck An expanded Frenchy’s Tiki Bar and revamped concessions New center field restrooms Refreshing suite interiors An expanded team store Diamond dugout restroom upgrades Installing south and west fan elevators Enclosing the 1st Base Club area and suite hallway Updating the grounds crew area Aungst said an administrative and player development facility would feature a new cafeteria and a baseball “lab.” Renderings also show new training fields and pitching areas. ​The county and city must still approve the team’s terms, and the proposal expires before the next spring training season. “I absolutely believe in the Phillies partnership,” Scott said. “It’s just at what level that I’m comfortable with.” A rendering of new training and administrative facilities. Image: Screengrab. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube More Photos An aerial rendering of the revamped complex. Image: Screengrab. An aerial view of the surrounding area, including the plaza acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022. Image: Screengrab. ​

Pinellas County Commission Chair Dave Eggers (standing) greets David Baldwin, grandson of Dansville’s founder, Dan Henry, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a long-awaited park on March 31. All photos: Pinellas County Government. What was once a dumping ground in a historic yet long-neglected Black neighborhood in Pinellas County is now home to a 12-acre park. ​Stakeholders celebrated the much-anticipated Dansville Park opening on March 31 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The admittedly overdue public amenity in a community founded by Black pioneers is at 12701 Wilcox Rd. in the unincorporated Greater Ridgecrest area, near Largo. ​Dansville Park features a pond, a multi-use paved path, a picnic shelter, benches, sidewalks, restrooms, and several acres of open green space. The county will install a playground later this year. ​Dan Henry, a former sharecropper, began settling the area in the early 1920s. County Commission Chair Dave Eggers said the pioneer’s history is “not just an inspiring story, it is the very foundation on which we stand.” ​“This land, once a blighted dump site, now blooms,” Eggers said. “We find ourselves in a beautiful park in a thriving neighborhood at the beating heart of Pinellas County, thanks to the efforts of so many.” The park encompasses 12 acres. The park, as Eggers noted, symbolizes decades of perseverance. He also credited former officials and local organizations for doggedly pursuing “redress for a history of indifference and neglect.” ​Eggers said the occasion marked a “major step forward in building on the work that they began.” Wanda McCawthan, president of the Friends of Ridgecrest, said the community started petitioning the county for a park nearly 30 years ago. ​“We have been waiting a long time,” said McCawthan, her voice rising. “But it’s beautiful. I love the water, I love the scenery, I love the feeling of it. County, thank you all so very much for blessing us today.” ​McCawthan pledged that the community would embrace, enjoy, and maintain the park. “I guarantee you it’s going to get used,” she said. Wanda McCawthan, president of the Friends of Ridgecrest. Eggers called the park a “historic achievement, a testament” to Henry’s lasting impact on the area. In May 2021, the county unveiled a historic marker that highlights Dansville’s rich history. ​Henry and one of his 12 brothers, Lloyd, found employment loading citrus at freight stations along the Seaboard Airline Railroad after arriving in Pinellas from Dawson, Georgia, in the early 1920s. In 1928, Lloyd became the first of the two to purchase property, a rarity for African Americans in the Jim Crow era. ​By 1946, Henry had purchased two 40-acre tracts. He built a home for his family and invited other African Americans to settle on the property. ​Henry began creating smaller lots for the growing, self-sufficient community. His land, subsequently known as Dansville, would eventually accommodate 80 homes, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and a store. ​A tornado swept through the area in October 1992, destroying 26 homes and damaging many others. Eggers said the county then began formalizing property lines. ​The county, after years of neglect, also helped residents rebuild and documented Dansville’s history through an award-winning oral history project. Henry’s grandson, David Baldwin, helped cut the ribbon at the park’s opening ceremony. ​“This is a really big deal,” Eggers told attendees. “A big deal to all of us, a bigger deal to all of you – the folks who live here and have wanted this for so long. I just wish you all the very best.” Efforts to establish the park began in earnest nearly 30 years ago. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube More Photos Local stakeholders cut a ceremonial ribbon. The county will add a playground later this year. The community can host functions and events in the park. ​

Myiah Moody Huff (MyiahPink), founder of HappySoul Revival Inc., has built her creative practice around faith, wellness, and helping others find their voice through art. Photo Courtesy of HappySoul Revival Inc. The fourth annual Soul Revival Art Festival and Fundraiser returns with a three-day experience shaped by art, healing, wellness, and sickle cell awareness, April 17 through 19 in St. Petersburg. Founded by artist, educator, and philanthropist Myiah Moody Huff, Soul Revival has continued to grow into a cultural gathering grounded in creativity, community care, advocacy, and awareness. This year marks an important turning point for the work behind Soul Revival. With Happy Soul Revival Inc. now officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Huff is building on the momentum of the annual event while creating room for more sustained, year-round efforts rooted in creative education, mental wellness, and support for illnesses that continue to affect Black and Brown communities at disproportionate rates. Soul Revival grew from a deeply personal place for Huff, who created the event in honor of her aunt, LaMetra Moody. Watching her aunt live with and fight sickle cell disease gave Huff a firsthand understanding of how the illness can shape an entire family, and that experience became the force behind the work she would later build. Huff said LaMetra still shapes both the spirit and direction of Soul Revival, remembering her as a teacher, a woman of faith and a fighter whose perseverance left a lasting mark. “LaMetra’s legacy was one of love, joy, learning, and service,” Huff said. “Despite her struggles with sickle cell, she always found a reason to smile and put a smile on someone else’s face.” What began as a tribute has since grown into a public expression of that legacy, carrying LaMetra’s memory into a weekend that invites people into a deeper understanding of sickle cell disease and the lives it touches. Myiah Huff, right, and her sister, Sherie Moody, left, with their aunt, LaMetra Moody, whose life and legacy continue to inspire the mission behind Soul Revival. Photo Courtesy of Myiah Huff Honoring her aunt also meant widening the conversation around a disease that continues to shape far too many lives. According to the CDC, sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 people in the United States, with more than 90% of those affected identified as non-Hispanic Black or African American. The agency also reports that people living with sickle cell disease in the U.S. face an estimated life expectancy more than 20 years shorter than average, while many still struggle to access recommended screenings and treatment. That reality helped define the purpose behind Soul Revival, giving the event a foundation that reaches beyond tribute and into public understanding. That purpose is clear from the first day and continues throughout the weekend’s lineup. The weekend opens Friday, April 17, at St. Petersburg College Midtown with “Understanding Sickle Cell: Wellness, Research, and Lived Experience,” a gathering designed to ground the festival in the realities behind its mission. The opening program will bring together healthcare professionals, researchers, caregivers, wellness experts, and people living with sickle cell disease for a conversation rooted in lived experience, practical information, and a fuller understanding of the condition and the communities it affects. On Saturday, April 18, Soul Revival heads to The James Museum for “The Revival Art Gala Brunch,” where brunch, live performances, and visual art come together in a setting designed to spark conversation around healing and wellness. Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the brunch will include a panel exploring the role of art in personal and collective well-being, alongside work from local artists and performers across multiple disciplines. Huff said she hopes guests leave with something they can carry beyond the event itself. “We want people to walk away with a renewed mindset and tools in their pocket to maintain their overall wellness,” Huff said. The weekend closes Sunday, April 19, on The Deuces, where Soul Revival’s festival and fundraiser will bring the event into the heart of the community through live art, local talent, and public engagement, with The Well for Life serving as home to a pop-up gallery. Set along one of St. Petersburg’s most historic corridors, the final day puts the weekend’s purpose on full display, showing how Soul Revival continues to turn creativity into something people can experience and support in real time. This public-facing mission has also translated into measurable impact. Organizers say last year’s event raised more than $5,000 for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America St. Petersburg Chapter, and this year’s goal is $10,000. The fundraising effort supports continued work in research, education, and outreach around sickle cell disease, while reinforcing the larger purpose behind the weekend. As Huff sees it, the creative side of Soul Revival is part of what makes that possible. “Art is also a powerful way to bring people together, tell stories, and raise money,” she said. As Soul Revival enters its fourth year, the event is growing into something with a wider footprint in St. Petersburg, shaped by a three-day experience, nonprofit momentum, and a mission that reaches beyond the weekend itself. What began as Myiah Huff’s tribute to her aunt, LaMetra Moody, now stands as a public-facing expression of that legacy, one that uses art to open conversation, deepen understanding around sickle cell disease, and pour back into the community that surrounds it. To support Soul Revival, visit the organization’s website for more information on the weekend’s events and ways to contribute. Tickets are available for purchase for “The Revival Art Gala Brunch” at The James Museum, while the remaining Soul Revival events are free and open to the community. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube More Photos Myiah Huff stands with family members and The president of the St. Petersburg Chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Mary Murph (far right) . in front of a display highlighting sickle cell awareness. Rooted in the legacy of her late aunt, LaMetra Moody, the event’s mission is closely tied to the family’s ongoing effort to bring greater visibility to sickle cell disease and support the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America St. Petersburg Chapter. Myiah Huff with AR the Prophet, the featured artist for last year’s Revival Art Gala Brunch. AR the Prophet, an Orlando artist living with sickle cell disease, traveled to St. Petersburg for the festival and used his music and advocacy to help bring greater visibility to the condition and the experiences of those affected by it. Photo Courtesy of HappySoul Revival Inc. Community members take part in Soul Revival activities during a previous festival on The Deuces. Images Courtesy of HappySoul Revival Inc.

Ebony Vaz (second to right) with innovators and leaders at the 2022 Synapse Summit conference. The Black Innovation Leaders of Florida (BILF) is changing the economic architecture of the Tampa Bay area. With co-founder and board president Ebony Vaz at the helm, BILF works tirelessly to close the gap between local talent and established businesses, furthering the growth and expansion of Florida’s technological economy. The Black Innovation Leaders of Florida (BILF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting and providing access, education, advocacy, and technical support to Florida organizations and leaders, while also focusing on elevating innovation in the black community. As board president of BILF, Vaz leads and connects visionary leaders dedicated to architecting Florida’s future economy. “My role is to bridge the gap between complex economic systems and local talent, ensuring that resources aren’t just available but actually land in the hands of Floridians who can drive growth,” said Vaz. The nonprofit organization operates across five pillars: Capital, Talent, Education, Procurement, and Public Policy. Through these values, Vaz stated that BILF turns “theoretical frameworks” into tangible, measurable statewide impact. Founded in 2022 during Black History Month, BILF has evolved from a resource-sharing group into a robust “resource house” for the state of Florida. Some key milestones it accomplished are securing grants to hire local organizations to deliver specialized training; providing strategic public commentary to the White House and OpenAI on emerging technology and national security; and placing professionals into underfunded schools during the Great American Teach-In. In recent events, BILF is working on its 2026 Innovation Tour and, in addition, a high-impact immersive experience, “Beyond the Block: From Code to Capital”. The tour will head to Miami for BITE-CON (April 9-10), followed by Pensacola (April 17-18), with stops in Orlando and Tallahassee. Their tours will include educational offerings designed to build pathways to high-wage roles. Discussion topics featured in the tour are listed below: Innovation PD for Educators: Arming teachers with the latest AI and cybersecurity tools to modernize their classrooms. IP Launchpad: Providing the professional training necessary for entrepreneurs to protect their intellectual property. Innovation Pipeline: A comprehensive program that takes residents from entry-level positions to skilled tech professionals, fostering true economic mobility. Locally, BILF has partnered with The Skills Center, Tribaja, and Big Stage Energy to be featured on a panel titled “Culture to Commerce: How Untapped Talent Becomes Economic Infrastructure” during Tampa Bay Tech Week on Wednesday, April 8th at 12pm, at The Skills Center. Tampa Bay’s Tech Week is a multi-citywide celebration of technology, culture, and community set to connect innovators and creators alike. Vaz stated that BILF’s vision for “Florida’s innovation economy” is to serve as a force multiplier, whether by helping organizations relaunch or connecting legacy foundations with grassroots innovators. “Our roadmap is focused on building that ‘connective tissue’ across the state. We are uniting Florida’s leaders to provide the advocacy and technical education that elevates the entire state’s standing,” explained Vaz. In 2024, BILF launched its IP Launchpad Program and partnered with Kukua Institute as an official “Innovation Hub.” Designed to empower Black entrepreneurs with knowledge and resources to protect their intellectual property, their shared partnership provided innovators the chance to hold “protected, scalable assets” that would attract capital and create jobs. “Our partnership with the Kukua Institute established a physical and virtual ‘Innovation Hub’ that gives talent a platform. By combining our network with their community-rooted expertise, we’ve provided entrepreneurs with the technical tools to navigate complex legal and filing processes,” explained Vaz. The following year, BILF provided trademarked and patented education to 33 businesses, while simultaneously providing $165,000 in community savings on attorney fees and loans through its IP Launchpad program. Simultaneously, BILF’s Innovation Pipeline Project works to ensure no Floridians are left behind in the digital economy by providing access to AI and VR (Virtual Reality) through transformative workshops to the public free of charge. “By connecting residents to high-wage tech roles and training business owners in modern, tech-enabled marketing systems, we are fostering long-term wealth creation rather than temporary assistance,” said Vaz. As of 2026, BILF launched their “Last Mile Fund,” which provides final-stage support for innovators ready to cross the finish line into commercialization or in need of mentorship or employment certification. This year is full of hopeful expectations as BILF works to make Florida the international standard for inclusive economic growth. “At BILF, we aren’t just talking about the future; we are architecting it,” Vaz proudly stated. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube Ebony Vaz, Board president and Co-Founder of Black Innovation Leaders of Florida (left) and Servola Frazier, CEO of Motivate Enterprises (right) at the 2024 White House Summit on STEMM Equity and Excellence, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM).

Hurricane Helene flooded the existing homes at 421 15th Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. All images: Screengrabs, city documents. A developer will soon demolish several storm-damaged, 101-year-old apartments to build an environmentally resilient complex in the Bartlett Park neighborhood of South St. Petersburg. ​The city’s Development Review Commission approved the approximately $2 million project at 421 15th Ave. S. on Wednesday. St. Petersburg-based Storyn Studio for Architecture designed the new 11-unit community, which encompasses two buildings around a shared courtyard with a water feature. ​Local developer Jamie Duncan of Cowabungalows, LLC, purchased the .23-acre property in 2022 and subsequently completed multiple improvements. However, Hurricane Helene inundated what is now known as The Burg’ Bungalows in late September 2024. ​Braydon Evans, a principal planner who spoke on the developer’s behalf at the hearing, said the aging, 11-foot-tall structures received five feet of water. “Unfortunately, the buildings weren’t able to be resuscitated after the storm.” ​The developer will elevate residences in the new 32-foot-tall buildings, which remain well below the 48-foot maximum zoning allowance. Several commissioners credited the project for maintaining the surrounding neighborhood’s character while mitigating flood risks. ​“I actually think this project is really a unicorn, and I applaud the development team,” said Commissioner Will Conroy. ​“When you think about the hardening of our housing stock, raising things out of the flood zone … and you’ve pulled parking on-site, which is always a conversation that we have with these types of developments, and you agreed to improve the alley – I think this is an outstanding project.” St. Petersburg-based Storyn Studio for Architecture designed the new buildings. The complex will feature studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with street-facing balconies. Amenities include a bicycle locker room to promote multimodal transportation and self-storage space. ​A city building official said the developer would eventually install a pool. The development will provide nine parking spaces rather than the eight required by code. ​While current zoning only permits three units, the developer can maintain the previously allowed density and build 11 new apartments. The commission also approved variances to front, side, and rear setbacks – the required distance between a structure and roads or property lines. ​The development team could have met the setback requirements by constructing one significantly taller building than the two they proposed, Evans said. “We weren’t able to design it in a way that was complementary to the existing structures.” A map of the area. ​ Commissioner Sarah Jane Vatelot appreciated the developer’s sensitivity to the surrounding neighborhood, which primarily consists of older homes that remain below the current floodplain. “I think this is a thoughtful application,” she said. ​ Some of her colleagues did not share the same sentiment. Commissioner Michael Kiernan, who passes the site several times weekly, said he felt conflicted due to setback concerns. He also thought, “This is what the area could really use – it will kickstart it, I think,” and ultimately approved the project. Commissioner Charles Flynt, who noted that other new multifamily developments in the area have complied with setback requirements, cast the sole opposing vote. ​“I understand they’re grandfathered – they have the right to build 11 units on the property,” Flynt said of the proposed project. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do it if you can’t meet the setbacks.” ​Commissioners approved the redevelopment in a 6-1 vote. The developers must commence “substantial” construction by April 2029, according to city documents. Another view of the redevelopment. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

On Monday, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (second from left) and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch (second from right) simultaneously threw out ceremonial first pitches at Tropicana Field, which hasn’t hosted a game since September 2024. All photos by Mark Parker. ​When asked who had the better ceremonial first pitch before Monday’s historic home opener at Tropicana Field, both Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch demurred. ​“Neither one of us have baseball careers,” Castor said. Welch noted that they “should have practiced a little bit more.” ​The rest of the day, however, was a resounding success as the Trop hosted baseball for the first time in 561 days. Over 25,000 fans watched as the Tampa Bay Rays recorded a thrilling 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Tampa Bay Rays started the 2026 season with a nine-game road trip to ensure a recently repaired Tropicana Field was ready to host baseball. A pre-game video montage provided a sobering reminder of the damage inflicted on the stadium and the surrounding community by Hurricane Milton. Repair workers, first responders, and Rays staff participated in the ceremony. ​Welch opined that Beth Herendeen, managing director of city development for St. Petersburg, should have received on-field recognition for leading an “extraordinary” effort to repair a domed stadium left open to the elements for nearly 15 months. “She just wants to do the work – that speaks to the kind of person she is,” Welch said. ​“It’s a lot to take in, given where we were not even 24 months ago,” Welch said of the buzzing atmosphere. “It’s just amazing, the transformation that has happened here.” ​Platinum-selling country music artist Eric Church performed the national anthem. Gov. Ron DeSantis and Hillsborough County commissioners watched the game from the owner’s suite amid the team’s ongoing quest to open a new stadium in Tampa in time for the 2029 season. ​Welch said the Rays are Tampa Bay’s team, and St. Petersburg has fulfilled its obligation to provide a major league ballpark through 2028. He and Castor did not discuss the future of baseball in the region. Welch said they “talked about trying to get the ball over the plate, and both of us were not successful.” ​The Rays realize his offer to extend the team’s lease remains “on the table,” Welch said. “When the time is right, we’ll talk about that.” Country music star Eric Church performed the National Anthem. St. Petersburg spent approximately $60 million on Trop repairs, and the Rays also unveiled several upgrades. Those included improved premium seating and club areas, a new speakeasy lounge, and a state-of-the-art video board with LED displays. Players have an expanded gym and larger lockers. ​Seven storm-displaced cownose rays from The Florida Aquarium returned to a renovated “Cownose Clubhouse” viewing area at the Trop. Rays CEO Ken Babby expressed his excitement for the homecoming during the game’s broadcast. ​“It’s incredible – what a moment for the community,” Babby said. “We’re back, guys, we’re back. What a day.” ​He called the video montage highlighting Milton’s destruction “emotional.” Babby, like many people, wondered if the Trop would ever host baseball again after touring the stadium during negotiations to buy the team. ​“The city and so many folks have been just so focused on this moment without taking their eye off the ball,” Babby added. “So much of this building was totally destroyed … but that American flag in center field survived two hurricanes without a scratch or a tear.” Rays CEO Ken Babby (right) during the National Anthem. ​Rays players, who received raucous cheers during pre-game introductions, also appreciated a return home to a packed and enclosed Tropicana Field. The team spent the 2025 season without air conditioning or a roof at the New York Yankees’ minor league ballpark in Tampa. “It was just great to feel the fans and have them here,” said Jonathan Aranda, whose two-run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning provided the winning margin over the Cubs. “With everything the stadium went through, obviously, it’s just a great feeling. Just to hear the roar and to have them here and have their support and have their love, it makes things great for us.” The Rays will play at Tropicana Field through Sunday before embarking on another road trip. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube More Photos Rays CEO Ken Babby (right) talks with principal owner Patrick Zalupski before the game. A team staffer and mascot Raymond share an embrace. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch (right) said he and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor did not discuss the team’s future before the ceremonial first pitch. The Rays would go on to beat the Cubs 6-4. From left: Rays co-chair Bill Cosgrove, CEO Ken Babby, Gov. Ron DeSantis, and co-chair Patrick Zalupski walk across the street to Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill after the game. The team bought customers a round of beer. Image: Screengrab, Rays. ​

Barry Brown, principal at Gibbs High School, walks through a new weapon detection system. Image: Pinellas County Schools. Two schools in Pinellas County began testing new weapon detection systems on Tuesday. Hyper-responsive settings and rain dampened the launch at one site. ​Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor University High School are participating in a pilot program that runs through May 29. District officials chose the locations “based on the size of their campuses and the number of students and staff at each,” according to the announcement. ​The advanced, walk-through systems typically utilize artificial intelligence to detect weapons while “allowing students to move efficiently through designated entry points.” However, students at Palm Harbor University High reportedly endured long lines in the rain on Tuesday morning as the technology flagged belts, jewelry, and other items they were told didn’t need to be removed. ​Those false alarms necessitated additional screenings, which exacerbated the problem. Isabel Mascarenas, public information officer for Pinellas County Schools (PCS), said in a prepared statement that one of three checkpoints closed earlier than scheduled “due to an operational adjustment and the inclement weather.” ​“However, other checkpoints at the school remained open and continued to process students smoothly,” Mascarenas added. “These challenges are expected during a pilot and will help us refine the process to ensure both efficiency and student safety.” ​The goal is to evaluate how the systems perform in high-traffic environments, including morning arrivals and large school events. District administrators, the PCS police department, and local law enforcement partners at each campus are overseeing implementation. ​Gibbs High avoided any inaugural issues, and both schools will continue testing the technology. Principal Barry Brown, in a PCS video, noted that the systems are increasingly common at many public events and facilities. ​“Unlike traditional metal detectors, individuals do not need to remove most items from their pockets or backpacks before passing through the systems,” Brown said. “However, BLUE items – binders, laptops, umbrellas, and eyeglass cases – may need to be removed from backpacks and handed to staff members to help prevent false alarms.” ​Students should not have to remove their cell phones, keys, coins, jackets, belts, wallets, watches, or jewelry. PCS is testing systems from Evolv and OPENGATE. ​Lee County’s school district reported a 39% decrease in safety incidents after installing OPENGATE systems. No facilities showed an increase. ​However, other districts have also encountered false alarms. An automated weapon detection system triggered a “Code Red” at a middle school near Orlando in December 2025 because a student held a clarinet like a rifle. Pinellas County Schools will continue fine-tuning the technology throughout the pilot program. Image: Pinellas County Schools. ​A PCS website states that vendor representatives and the district’s safety and security team trained administrators and staff. The principals of both pilot schools also visited facilities in Manatee and Sarasota Counties that have implemented similar systems to ensure that “questions from a school perspective were thoroughly addressed.” ​Joe Weisman, chief of schools police for PCS, said the district will “utilize information from this pilot to inform future decisions and implementation.” Sean Jowell, director of safety and security, told the media on Monday that elementary and middle schools could receive the systems if the school board “chooses to move forward in that direction.” ​”Is there some pushback? Of course there is,” Jowell said. “There always is, but that’s a balance. Honestly, I couldn’t tell what it’s going to look like at the end of this, but we’re going to find out.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Multiple city council members want St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch to wait for the results of an Urban Land Institute study before selecting a developer to reimagine the Historic Gas Plant District. His administration prefers to complete the work simultaneously. Photo by Mark Parker. ​St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch plans to select a proposal to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field, in June. Negotiating a term sheet will take another year. ​A city council committee and administrators discussed what some believe is a rushed timeline and the role of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in the process on Thursday. Welch recently announced a “slight adjustment” to incorporate feedback from ULI, the world’s largest network of land use experts. ​Lee Lowry, executive director of ULI Tampa Bay, said the nonprofit will “fast-track” the study while city officials conduct community engagement and analyze shortlisted proposals. Councilmember Gina Driscoll asked if the administration would select a developer and negotiate terms before receiving a final report. ​While a selected developer would work with the ULI as it completes the study’s second phase, City Administrator James Corbett does not expect a project term sheet until the end of the year or early 2027 – several months after municipal elections in November. He believes the summer of 2027 is a “realistic” target date for the council to approve formal agreements. ​“There are some who say that this is moving very fast, and so that really helps put things in perspective,” said Driscoll. ​While she felt “a little bit better” about the timeline, Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. expressed ongoing concerns regarding a potentially rushed ULI study. He wants to ensure the organization has adequate time to “provide a fleshed-out recommendation for what should be done at this site.” ​“I want to know what the benefits are citywide when we redevelop this site,” Givens added. “How does it help the entire City of St. Pete, not just those 86 acres?” ​The study ​Councilmember Brandi Gabbard requested Thursday’s discussion in October 2025, two weeks after the city received an unsolicited redevelopment proposal from Ark Ellison Horus. Four days later, Welch announced that he would launch the land disposition process and accept additional bids. ​In early February, the council, in a 6-2 vote, approved a nonbinding resolution urging Welch to “pause any action” related to the proposal process and conduct additional planning. He disagreed with “that need.” ​“We’ve been planning for more than a decade,” Welch told Power Broker Magazine in late March. “We’ve done a lot of planning since then.” A graphic outlining the study’s first phase. Image: City documents. ​Councilmember Mike Harting questioned the administration’s current support for the ULI study on Thursday. He asked if city officials are “really going to make this part of the process,” or if they were “just talking about it on the surface to try and find a way for us to get along.” ​City Administrator Rob Gerdes said Welch’s team, through productive conversations with ULI representatives, realized the study could be “very beneficial to developing the term sheet and the overall development.” ​“So, based on those discussions, there appeared to be a path forward where we could cooperate with the resolution and the city council’s request, continue on a reasonable timeline, and make it a positive for the process that we’re doing,” Gerdes concluded. ​The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership is raising funding for the study’s estimated $135,000 first phase. CEO Jason Mathis said multiple other stakeholders have expressed interest in contributing. ​A volunteer group of ULI experts will analyze and aggregate previous redevelopment studies and years of community feedback. The overarching goal is to identify key priorities and provide a conceptual vision, Lowry said. ​The ULI will “bring it all together in a concise report” and ensure there are no “voices missing,” Lowry added. She also emphasized the organization’s focus on transparency and eliminating biases. ​“I’m grateful to see how phase one is laid out,” said Councilmember Richie Floyd. “There’s a lot of questions to be answered around what goes on beyond that, but I think this is a good start.” ​Lowry said the ULI could complete the first phase by the end of May. The second will take three to four months “from the time we sign the contract.” ​City officials have yet to establish a scope for the second phase, and multiple council members expressed concern over the administration selecting a developer before receiving the study’s final recommendations. “I believe we can do both together,” Corbett said. ​“The reason that ULI brings value is because they are an independent third party,” Gabbard said. “They do not have any financial gain in what eventually happens at the site. And I think that is critical, because once we start engaging developers … the scope changes, and the output will change.” ​The city will host a public meeting with shortlisted developers at The Coliseum on April 30, and Gabbard noted that “time is certainly of the essence.” Committee members approved her motion for the administration to provide a draft scope of work for the study’s second phase within two weeks. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube ​

Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Patrick Zalupski and CEO Ken Babby at the team’s 2026 home opener in St. Petersburg. The team’s lease at Tropicana Field terminates following the 2028 season. Photo by Mark Parker. ​A proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium financing deal includes $1.065 billion in public funding and a self-imposed deadline of June 1, according to a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU). ​Hillsborough County, which would contribute $750 million, received the document on Thursday. The Rays also seek $251 million from the City of Tampa and an additional $64 million from other public funding sources, including a federal disaster relief grant. ​While the Rays will contribute $1.235 billion and cover all cost overruns, the total highlighted in the draft, obtained by Power Broker Magazine, is $465 million more than what the team previously requested from Pinellas County and St. Petersburg. Rays CEO Ken Babby expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the parties listed in the 16-page document: Hillsborough County, Tampa, and the Tampa Sports Authority. ​“This Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step forward and reflects a responsible public-private partnership that can be achieved through open communication and a commitment to getting this right for the community,” Babby said in a prepared statement. A rendering of the $2.3 billion ballpark. Image: Tampa Bay Rays. ​Not so fast ​The MOU provides the first financing framework for a $2.3 billion stadium at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry Campus since negotiations with the county began in early February. It also lacks critical details, including the amount of funding the team would receive from local tourist development taxes, the half-cent Community Investment Tax, and the Drew Park Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). ​“The Parties need to finalize the (funding) sources and uses, which will be completed and agreed upon prior to execution of this Agreement,” states the document. ​In addition, County Attorney Julia Mandell, in an email to commissioners, wrote that “this document is purely the work product of the Rays’ organization; it has not been reviewed or analyzed by any of the government entities … Therefore, none of the governmental entities, including the county administration, have provided any comments to the Rays organization on this document.” ​Mandell added that none of the governmental stakeholders have “discussed the contents of this document with each other.” Time is of the essence, at least for the Rays. ​The MOU states that those parties “shall work together to finalize and approve” project agreements by June 1 to “maintain a schedule that enables timely commencement and completion of the new stadium project by the 2029 Opening Day target date.” ​Commissioner Josh Wostal took issue with multiple aspects of the proposed MOU. He was particularly concerned with a clause that states the county and city, if unable to meet funding contributions, “shall use best efforts” to secure alternative financing, “including, without limitation, state appropriations, infrastructure grants, or other municipal financing mechanisms, such as Capital Improvement Project funds.” ​“It’s riddled with so many poison pills that I believe it’s an intentional attempt to kill the deal,” Wostal said. “And that no elected official could reasonably vote on what was proposed.” ​The MOU also states that the county will use U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) disaster relief funding for infrastructure upgrades at the stadium site. Area stakeholders can, however, use the ballpark during declared emergencies. ​“I told them from the beginning that they’re out of their minds if they ask for our Hurricane Milton funds for families whose lives got devastated, and we haven’t even been able to provide them relief yet,” Wostal said. “And they want us to fix their stormwater issues instead of people’s homes.” An aerial view of the stadium and surrounding $8 billion mixed-use district. Image: Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays also want 85% of all CRA revenues to fund stadium capital expenditures rather than area improvements. Although the redevelopment area is scheduled to terminate in 2034, the MOU proposes an extension until 2056. ​A stadium lease with the county would span 35 years, with the option for up to 15 years in renewals. The Rays will pay $10 annually. ​Benefits ​The Rays will cover all stadium maintenance, capital improvement, repair, and insurance costs. Ownership will agree to a non-relocation agreement. ​Stakeholders will establish a community benefits package “that will address, among other things, local hiring goals, living wage commitments, community access, youth engagement, neighborhood enhancements, and direct community investments,” states the MOU. ​An overview released by the Rays calls the undefined community benefits agreement the “largest in city and county history.” It adds that all parties have agreed to a “do no harm approach as it relates to longstanding public priorities,” particularly police, fire, and emergency management services. ​The Rays reiterated that the ballpark ($10.4 billion) and the privately funded, $8 billion surrounding mixed-use district ($23.6 billion) will generate a $34 billion direct economic impact over 30 years. The team also expects the project to foster 11,900 permanent and 40,000 “full-time equivalent” jobs. Commissioners will discuss the draft MOU at a workshop on April 14. A vote could come on May 6, and Babby said the team looks forward to working with stakeholders “as we refine the plan and move the process ahead.” A graphic highlighting purported project benefits for Hillsborough College and the community. Image: Screengrab. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Maggie Rogers, executive director of Catholic Charities, said Tampa Hope has served nearly 2,000 people in just over four years and will continue expanding. All images: City of Tampa. The Tampa Hope campus began in 2020 with an ambitious vision to temporarily shelter 100 people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapidly evolving facility can now house over 350 people. ​Mayor Jane Castor and city of Tampa officials joined Maggie Rogers, executive director of Catholic Charities, on April 8 to celebrate the unveiling of 100 new-and-improved Hope Cottages. The tiny homes offer more space than the previous models, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and, perhaps most importantly, privacy for residents. ​The facility at 3704 E. 3rd Ave., in an industrial area of Tampa, now has 215 total cottages, thanks to a $1.2 million grant from the city. Castor noted that Tampa Hope, which also provides holistic wrap-around services to help residents transition into permanent housing, is now a “well-oiled operation that continues to grow.” ​“Tampa Hope treats the whole person,” Castor said. “Everything that is provided here is helpful to the individuals and helps them go from a state of homelessness to becoming productive members of our community.” The new Hope Cottages can withstand a Category 5 hurricane. The new, 70-square-foot cottages feature beds, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, power outlets, shelving, windows, and storage space. Each home can also withstand Category 5 hurricane-force winds. ​Catholic Charities, which operates the shelter, incorporated feedback from clients to ensure the cottages meet their needs. Each tiny home costs approximately $25,000. ​Tampa Hope provides three meals daily, toiletries, clothing, restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Outreach specialists locate homeless individuals and bring them to the shelter. ​Case managers and housing specialists ensure that clients have access to basic health and dental care, mental health and substance abuse counseling, employment skills, financial literacy education, and other resources to help them secure permanent housing. “That’s what we’re looking for – and really, that is what Tampa Hope is all about,” Castor said. ​Castor noted that the city used Pinellas Hope, also operated by Catholic Charities, as a model for the Tampa shelter. “We looked around the nation, and it brought us right back home,” she said. ​The current, permanent facility opened in December 2021. Rogers, whom Castor called “one of the city’s real-life superheroes,” said she and her team established the shelter in roughly a month. ​Tampa Hope has now served nearly 2,000 people. Rogers said approximately 40% have obtained permanent housing, far surpassing the national average of 25% for emergency shelters. Tampa Hope now has 215 total cottages and 116 single-occupancy tents. ​The facility’s 215 cottages represent the “largest pallet village in the country, which is pretty cool,” Rogers said. “And we’re not going to stop there; I plan to add at least another 60. Right now we have about 350 beds on campus, and I will take us to over 400, as promised.” ​Rogers also announced that Tampa Hope plans to add a medical clinic, a welcome center, and new partner and staff offices. She thanked city officials for their support and “believing in us.” ​City Councilmember Lynn Hurtak said she understood the vision for Tampa Hope, but the reality is “more than I really could have ever imagined.” She believes the campus is proof that officials are “focusing on all aspects of housing affordability.” ​The city has provided Tampa Hope with $7.4 million in funding since 2021. Officials budgeted $1 million annually for the shelter, and Hurtak said councilmembers have reallocated an additional $500,000 for the facility this year. ​“We are always looking for creative ways to capitalize on these types of assets and support our program,” Hurtak said. “Tampa Hope has been a huge success story and a model for others nationwide.” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor called Maggie Rogers, executive director of Catholic Charities, “one of the city’s real-life superheroes.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (left) and Raul Alfonso, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Port Tampa Bay, celebrate the facility receiving $10 million in federal funding on Thursday. Photos: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s office. Florida’s largest port now has $10 million in federal funding to launch an ambitious project that enhances navigational safety, increases cargo capacity, and strengthens Tampa Bay’s economy. ​Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced the grants on Thursday at Port Tampa Bay. She secured $3 million through a Community Priority Project Funding request to advance planning, engineering, and design work to deepen the harbor. ​Castor also announced that the port will receive $7 million in general-use funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, thanks to the efforts of the Florida Congressional Delegation, which she led. Raul Alfonso, vice president of Port Tampa Bay, said the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Project is the largest and most important endeavor in the facility’s history. ​“This investment moves a generational project forward,” Alfonso said. “It’s one that will expand capacity, improve efficiency, and strengthen the supply chains that Florida’s economy depends on.” ​The six-phased, $1.5 billion project will deepen the port’s 42-mile shipping channel to accommodate larger ships carrying additional cargo. Castor noted the amount of fuel, food, construction materials, and other goods needed to support a rapidly growing region. ​Florida’s most cargo-diverse seaport generates $34.6 billion in annual economic value and supports over 192,000 jobs across Tampa Bay. Castor said the Iran war, and the country’s subsequent shuttering of the Strait of Hormuz, has highlighted the importance of “free navigation and free supply chains.” ​Castor said port disruptions would exacerbate the region and nation’s ongoing affordability crisis. “We’re not going to let that happen,” she added. ​“We’re going to continue to uplift this economy and make sure people can survive and thrive.” From left: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor; Raul Alfonso, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Port Tampa Bay; Charles Klug, principal counsel for Port Tampa Bay; Ryan Fierst, vice president of legal affairs for Port Tampa Bay; Brian Giuliani, chief operating officer for Port Tampa Bay; Karl Strauch, vice president of marketing for Port Tampa Bay; and Thomas Hobbs, chief external affairs officer for Port Tampa Bay. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, now eligible for a third term, hopes to regain his title. Photo courtesy of Hannah Webster, Omnicom. Bob Buckhorn, a long-rumored candidate to run for mayor of Tampa in 2027, has made it official. ​The former mayor, who led the city from 2011 to 2019, filed paperwork and launched his campaign on Monday. Buckhorn told the media stationed outside of the downtown County Center that it was “time to come back and finish the job.” ​“It’s time to deal with the challenges that have come with our success, and there are a few,” Buckhorn said of Tampa’s growth. “But I will tell you this: I would much prefer to deal with those challenges and preside over a city that’s growing, that’s alive, that’s vibrant, than preside over a city that’s dying. This city’s best days are yet to come.” ​Buckhorn joins nine other candidates vying to replace Mayor Jane Castor, who is term-limited after serving for eight consecutive years. His political committee has already raised $1.8 million with less than a year until the March 2027 election. ​Buckhorn’s campaign mantra is “A Tampa for all of us.” He is running to “build a city that is the envy of the nation.” ​“We’ve proven we can do it – I’ve already done it,” Buckhorn added. “We’re going to take care of the basics, and we’re going to build a city for everybody.” ​He pledged to create a more efficient construction permitting system “on day one.” Buckhorn also emphasized the importance of maintaining Tampa’s authenticity and celebrating its diversity. ​The city must solve its transportation woes, Buckhorn said, or “we will choke on our growth.” He will advocate for state and federal investments in light rail and mass transit. ​Buckhorn noted that he helped Tampa emerge from a recession, when “jobs were fleeing, and companies were closing, and our best and brightest young people were leaving for other cities.” He said the city’s subsequent evolution has “exceeded our wildest expectations.” ​A crowded field of candidates includes City Councilmember Lynn Hurtak. Her colleague Bill Carlson has said that he will file in the coming months. ​Ryan Edwards, Anthony Gilbert Jr., Gary Hartfield, Alan Henderson, Julie Magill, Tres Rodmon, Taryn Sabia, and Reginald Strachan have also declared their candidacy. The race will head to a runoff election on April 27, 2027, if no candidate receives over 50% of the vote on March 2. ​“Whoever else wants to come out, come on out,” Buckhorn said of his competition on Monday. “I’ll be ready.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube ​

Artist and educator Debbie Garrett poses in front of her artwork. Image courtesy of Debbie Garrett.Among community leaders who are making a change in the St. Petersburg area, artist, educator, and mentor Debbie Garrett advocates for creatives and youth while rallying support for environmental progress in the St. Pete area. Among community leaders who are making a change in the St. Petersburg area, artist, educator, and mentor Debbie Garrett advocates for creatives and youth while rallying support for environmental progress in the St. Pete area. “My inspiration comes from wanting to live in a community where I can feel like my community is thriving around me,” said Garrett. Garrett always felt like she was meant to serve and heal those around her. She’s an art teacher at Pinellas County Job Corps, where she’s taught for 15 years; is president and co-founder of Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project, Inc. (PDAP); and is an award-winning independent filmmaker for her film series SIMI. She also curates the Black Art Film Festival and organizes the upcoming annual Tampa Bay Chalk Festival. Garrett will once more organize the Tampa Bay Chalk Festival on the Deuces [22nd Street South between 7th Ave S & 9th Ave S] on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with over 20 community artists creating with the theme “OUR WATERY FUTURES.” Image courtesy of Debbie Garrett “As a teacher, I do ceramics, I paint, I draw, I sew, I crochet, I do so many different things. But most importantly, I try to show young people that art is a tool for distressing, meditation, for love, for beauty,” said Garrett. Arist Myiah Moody Huff has been a regular chalk artist at the annual Tampa Bay Chalk Festival on the Deuces, now in its fourth year. Image courtesy of Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project and Tampa Bay Chalk Festival. In addition to these roles, she’s also a photographer, cinematographer, Healing Touch Practitioner (level 3), works alongside Dreammakerz Production and the Sunshine City Film Festival, and serves as an event coordinator for Ladies in Film & Entertainment (L.I.F.E), and the list goes on. Ultimately, Garrett is a multifaceted artist who uses her advanced background to educate and open opportunities for those with limited resources in the artistic space. “I cannot let my students come around me and not give them something that they can take away and give to somebody else later. It’s about paying it forward,” Garrett said. Garrett traces her artistic journey back to her collegiate years. She attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and worked as a stagehand at the National Black Theatre in Harlem, where she handled various production work, including backdrops and artwork. She continued her arts studies at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she graduated with a degree in Visual Arts and Business Management, and was awarded the Excellence in Visual Arts Honor. In the 30 years that Garrett has rooted herself in the Sunshine City, she’s helped push artistic boundaries and coax artistic awakenings in those interested in the medium. Since 2025, Garrett has served as PDAP’s president, embodying the nonprofit’s vision to strengthen its community by expanding access to arts, technology, media, and civic exchange. She hopes to build a community in St. Pete where individuals can coexist. “We need an intersection of art mediums so people can just get a better understanding and look through the different lenses of art. I’m trying to strike up conversations to heal the community,” Garrett explained. Through the various events and programs hosted by PDAP, this goal is within reach. On Saturday, May 2nd, the fourth annual Tampa Bay Chalk Festival will commence on the sidewalks of 22nd Street South between 7th Ave S & 9th Ave S. This free community event is open to the public to create art: this year’s theme is “Our Watery Futures.” This year will also feature a tea ceremony, group art activity, and environmental discussion at WADA (Warehouse Arts District Association). This event also comes at a critical time, as a historic water shortage is affecting residents in the Tampa Bay area, with officials citing it as one of Florida’s most severe water shortages in 50 years. Effective mid-March and early April of 2026, Tampa was declared a Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage due to severe drought. The 16-county region is working on implementing conservation guidelines. It has recently enforced a mandatory one-day-a-week watering restriction — reducing lawn watering during certain days/times based on residents’ addresses, according to Ian Oliver, Fox Weather’s meteorologist and host. “If people will simply follow that restriction of water once a week, you can save up to 2500 gallons of water per day per irrigation cycle,” said the Chief Science Officer for Tampa Bay Water, Warren Hogg. “So we’re asking the public to step up and save water, help us extend the regional water supply, leave water in the environment.” Artists at the 2nd annual Tampa Bay Chalk Festival; Image courtesy of Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project and Tampa Bay Chalk Festival. Garrett advocates that the artists use the Chalk Festival as an “open art gallery” for the public. While focusing on the vitality of Tampa’s waterways, she urges attendees to take full advantage of the environmental discussion happening at WADA at noon. “We need to start teaching our children how to conserve water,” said Garrett. “My concept is that the artists will be mindful of waterways and incorporate that in their artwork.” Young artists draw on the sidewalk; Image courtesy of Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project and Tampa Bay Chalk Festival. The ultimate takeaway of the festival is to create a chain reaction of community. Garrett hopes eventgoers leave with a sense of duty and mindfulness regarding the city’s environment. “Once people leave that community event, it’s up to them to spread that knowledge, to spread that joy, that information,” said Garrett. According to Garrett, “Celebrating our role in caring for our global climate, the festival captures a theme educating our community on how they can be environmentally conscious and proactive stewards of the Earth while also creating a space for the youth to engage in artistic expression.” Image courtesy of Debbie Garrett Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube Artists at the 2nd annual Tampa Bay Chalk Festival; image courtesy of Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project. Attendees at the 2nd annual Tampa Bay Chalk Festival. Image courtesy of Pinellas Diaspora Arts Project An artist works on his chalk drawing at the 2nd annual Tampa Bay Chalk Festival.

Bianca Lanoue, a University of South Florida graduate and technology architecture analyst at Accenture, built early momentum in tech through internships, mentorship, and community involvement while still in college. As AI and emerging technology continue to reshape the industry, her journey reflects how hands-on experience, strong guidance, and intentional preparation can help new graduates move from the classroom into competitive career spaces. Photo courtesy Lanoue. As the tech industry continues to expand, and artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into everyday life and workflows, breaking into the field can feel both promising and highly competitive for new graduates. With the industry moving quickly, new tools are emerging, and companies are looking for people who can keep up with that pace. In a field that often demands experience, coming out of college with only a degree is rarely enough to secure a position. Hands-on experience, professional exposure, and strong mentorship can be pivotal – making the difference between wanting a tech career and actually obtaining one. That pressure is backed by the numbers. SignalFire’s 2025 tech talent report found that new grad hiring in tech is down 50 percent from pre-pandemic levels. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that recent college graduates saw unemployment rise to 5.7 percent in late 2025, with underemployment reaching 42.5 percent, the highest level since 2020. Handshake, a career platform that connects college students and recent graduates with employers, found that 57 percent of Class of 2025 students felt pessimistic about starting their careers, with many pointing to stiff competition for jobs and the rise of generative AI. As entry-level opportunities grow harder to secure, the gap between earning a degree and landing a role is becoming harder to close without practical experience. Bianca Lanoue is one example of what it looks like to take steps that propel yourself forward in tech. A recent University of South Florida graduate with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, Lanoue completed internships with Accenture and TD SYNNEX before stepping into a full-time role as a technology architecture analyst at Accenture. She said those experiences gave her something the classroom alone could not. “You’re not going to understand how companies work until you’re in them,” Lanoue said. “Being in school teaches you the concepts and sometimes a lot of the technical skills that you need. But that’s just the foundation.” Lanoue adds that students hoping to enter tech should start studying the industry before they ever reach graduation. As AI and security continue to shape hiring needs, she believes students should be paying attention to what companies are investing in, what tools they are adopting, and what skills they expect employees to build. That kind of awareness can shape everything from internship choices to coursework, certifications, and networking efforts while students are still in school. “If you’re new coming in, you know what tools and what skills you might need to go after and learn to succeed,” Lanoue said. The preparation did not stop at internships. While at USF, Bianca Lanoue stayed active in organizations that helped sharpen the kind of skills employers still look for beyond technical ability. She spoke about leading Women of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow, and paying close attention to what it takes to bring people together, work across teams, and grow as a leader. “The best leaders not only know how to get stuff done and stay on task, but they have this quality of being comfortable with their team members, so that their team members are comfortable with them,” she said. In an industry moving deeper into AI, that kind of collaboration and people-centered leadership remains just as important as learning new tools. During her 2023 to 2024 term as president of Women of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow, Lanoue (Center) helped lead the organization for a year and a half, creating space for connection, growth, and leadership development among young women on campus. This captures the kind of teamwork, responsibility, and people-centered leadership that helped shape skills she now carries into the professional world. Photo courtesy Lanoue. That same mindset continues beyond graduation. Along with her role at Accenture, Lanoue said she is helping rebuild the Tampa Bay professional chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and has also taken an interest in spaces like AI Salon. Those connections matter because for students and new graduates, community can be part of the bridge into the industry. Being in the right rooms, staying connected to alumni and professionals, and learning from people already doing the work can open doors that are otherwise hard to find. Mentorship, she said, is a major part of that process. The value is not just encouragement. It is honest insight from people who understand the industry firsthand. “You’re not going to understand how the company works, or the pros and cons of a company, on the website,” Lanoue said. “You have to find out from other people who already have that experience.” She credited one longtime mentor, Roth Marcelin, with helping her strengthen her resume, prepare for interviews, and better understand the professional world she was stepping into. That guidance does not always have to come through a formal program. Sometimes it comes from alumni, colleagues, or professionals who are simply willing to stay in touch and answer questions with honesty. “You also don’t need a formal mentor to get all your questions answered,” she said. “You can just ask different people within your company, different alumni within your school.” For students trying to break into tech, especially as AI continues to reshape the field, that kind of access can make the path feel less distant and more possible. For the next generation entering tech, her advice is to be intentional, stay teachable, and go after opportunities early. “You have to ask for what you want,” she said. “Don’t wait for people to just give you opportunities.” She encourages young professionals to give themselves room to keep learning once they enter the workforce. “Be okay with being a student again,” she said. In a job market where entry-level roles are harder to secure, that mix of initiative, community, and preparation can make all the difference. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube More Photos USF Class of 2025, earned her bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity before stepping into the tech industry through internships, mentorship and early hands-on experience. Photo courtesy Lanoue. Bianca Lanoue officially joined the company full time in March 2026 after first building her experience there as an intern over two summers. The photo captures a full-circle moment in her journey, showing how early exposure, consistency and preparation helped turn an internship opportunity into a career launch. Photo courtesy Lanoue.

City officials closed the application portal in February after receiving exponentially more requests for assistance than planned. Photo by Mark Parker. St. Petersburg is now distributing $61 million in residential storm recovery funding following several months of federal delays. Case managers, who are “just getting started,” have awarded more than $48,000, according to Thursday’s announcement. The social media post called the payments an “important step in helping our community recover from the 2024 hurricanes,” and a priority for Mayor Ken Welch. ​Residents who applied for disaster relief assistance, which includes reimbursements for rent, mortgages, and utility bills, are receiving the program’s first checks. Welch noted that “not that long ago, our landscape looked completely different.” ​“Just think back to the debris, the damage … all the things that really changed our way of life, and how quickly we recovered in most of the city,” Welch told Power Broker Magazine. “And we’re still providing assistance to those who are still in recovery. I think folks realize it takes leadership to do that, not theatrics.” ​The long-awaited federal funding stems from the $160 million Sunrise St. Pete initiative. Thursday’s announcement notes that disaster relief applicants should continue working with their case managers for program updates. ​However, the city stopped accepting applications for residential recovery funding on Feb. 15, two months after the portal opened, due to an influx of requests. The Sunrise St. Pete’s website states that staff are reviewing previous submissions to “see if we can serve more people.” ​“Intake may reopen only if funds remain,” states the website. “Please note that reopening is not guaranteed.” ​City council members approved the $61 million residential recovery program in early October 2025. A historically long government shutdown prevented the opening of applications in November. ​St. Petersburg began accepting funding requests in December. However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) told Welch’s administration in January that it was amending a grant agreement received in October. ​HUD subsequently issued a new contract that incorporated executive orders related to gender ideology, discrimination, abortion, and immigration. The city council approved it on Jan. 22. ​Welch called the federal delays “crazy.” Pinellas County did not encounter the same issues and began distributing its $813 million People First Hurricane Recovery Program checks in December. ​Sunrise St. Pete awards for home repairs, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and elevation assistance will “follow later in the spring, after damage assessments are complete,” states the website. The city understands the “impact this has on residents” awaiting payments and is “moving as quickly as possible to ensure funds are released promptly.” ​Officials initially expected 784 people to apply for the disaster relief assistance. They received 1,560 applications in less than two months. ​The city also planned to provide 98 households with up to $375,000 for home rehabilitation, reconstruction, and elevation. Residents submitted 747 applications before the portal closed on Feb. 15. ​Another 308 people applied for up to $50,000 to repair their homes, 30 more than expected. The website notes that applicants are not “first-come, first-served.” ​The lowest-earning households, particularly those with age-dependent or disabled members, are first in line for rehabilitation and reconstruction funding. Tenants in those categories receive priority for relief payments. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube ​

Dr. Jeffery Johnson, chairman of the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency, plans to eventually add “mayor of Tampa” to an already extensive resume. Photo: Facebook. Dr. Jeffery Johnson is a pastor, founder, executive, U.S. Navy lieutenant, global ambassador, and Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award winner. He also has unfinished business in the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). ​Johnson was reelected, unopposed, to a second one-year term as chairman of Florida’s largest CRA in November 2025. While navigating notoriously slow city processes presents a hurdle, he is particularly proud of efforts to mitigate the ongoing affordable housing crisis. ​Property taxes collected within CRAs help revitalize surrounding neighborhoods rather than fund citywide initiatives. The agency that oversees East Tampa’s revitalization allocated $4.77 million in fiscal year 2024, according to the City of Tampa’s most recent annual report. ​“If my numbers serve me correctly, we’ve already given over $2 million of down payment assistance in the past year,” Johnson said. “We’ve done $1.5 million in housing rehabs to help people stay in their homes in East Tampa.” A map of the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area. Image: City of Tampa. Johnson, also chief strategy officer for the Corporation to Develop Communities (CDC) of Tampa, said the CRA has “been a catalyst” for a facade grant program that bolsters struggling businesses. A city website highlights several other ongoing initiatives that improve parks, support entrepreneurs, create additional affordable housing, and enhance security at a 107-year-old cemetery. ​East Tampa encompasses 7.5 miles, and Johnson said its size and geography present both benefits and challenges. The community is “becoming progressive,” and has seen an influx of new residents who “may not know the history.” ​“East Tampa was not always known as East Tampa,” Johnson explained. “It was more or less different neighborhoods – Jackson Heights, Belmont Heights, College Hill, Ponce De Leon – and the residents never changed the name to East Tampa. It was wayfinding through the city that changed it.” ​Area residents were historically longtime homeowners, Johnson said. The CRA is the closest district to Ybor City, and rapidly evolving demographics can create “tensions.” ​However, Johnson believes that a community needs mixed incomes and uses to “keep it thriving.” He said affordable and market-rate developments with commercial space, a CRA priority, create an “economic engine” for residents and business owners. ​“That’s what I’m looking forward to – that our business market is strengthened and stronger in East Tampa,” Johnson added. An East Tampa CRA public art collage. Photo: City of Tampa. Municipal bureaucracy is an ongoing impediment to progress. “Honestly, I see things moving quicker in other CRAs,” Johnson said. Those include areas around downtown, including the Channel District. ​Johnson said that at times, “it seems as if there’s an intentional delay” when requesting city approval for an East Tampa project. “I can’t prove it, but it seems that way.” ​“The rate of development should be faster than what it is,” Johnson said. “It seems as if some items are being slow-walked, and it is limiting the progression.” ​He believes East Tampa needs a “champion” in the private sector to foster public partnerships. Johnson used developer Darryl Shaw, who is behind the six-million-square-foot Gasworx project in Ybor City, as an example. ​Johnson said the CRA needs someone to “put money up” and consider a development as their “beacon of light to make sure that the growth and development of East Tampa is connected to what I do.” ​The community has a public sector champion in Johnson, 43, who plans to run for mayor in 10 years. He wants the city to extend the CRA, currently scheduled to sunset in 2034. ​Johnson noted that the CRA has sought to redevelop what is known as the “Gator Building” since purchasing the property in 2018. The building opened in 1951 at the intersection of East Lake Avenue and North 22nd Street. ​A request for qualifications from developers to transform the “prime” property into a business incubator with a food hall and event plaza was “finally” approved in early March, Johnson said. “And the way that’s going to go, that building would not be developed until probably 2028, 2029.” ​“That’s 10-11 years for one project,” Johnson said. “That’s unacceptable.” ​He believes the city should extend the CRA’s lifespan to compensate for project delays. The agency is also updating its Community Development Plan, which outlines area initiatives and programming over the next decade. ​Johnson said the CRA’s mission should continue until another “champion” realizes “there’s a systemic problem in East Tampa,” and then works to ensure that “these items and projects are completed.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Smith hosted a reading event for her published book at Canguros’ preschool & private school located in St. Petersburg, FL. Photo courtesy of Taylor Smith. Taylor Smith is changing the digital landscape of the St. Petersburg area one website at a time. Taylor Smith is the founder and CEO of TTC Agency (Taylor the Creator Agency), a creative studio and digital strategy partner that designs websites for non-profits, educators, and institutions. Since starting her business in 2020, Smith has single-handedly designed and remastered over 140 websites for organizations. “I started out just building websites, but as my clients’ websites grew, so did their needs. Now, I don’t just build websites — I build digital ecosystems that help my clients and organizations run a lot smoother,” said Smith. As a digital marketing strategist and web systems manager, Smith noted that creating websites is just one aspect of the job. The web developer is also adept at database management, system configuration, mobile optimization, launch support, and more. With her expertise, Smith turns “digital chaos” into clarity. “In a nutshell, a lot of organizations don’t necessarily need more tools; they just need them structured, clarified, and then a system to keep those tools working,” Smith explained. The TTC Agency works with Hypatia Collaborative, a shared service organization that partners vetted contractors to nonprofits, legal services, financial management programs, and more. Recent web design works from the TTC Agency include The Deuces Live, Inc., and St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, Inc. (SPIFFS). In addition to her partnerships, the web agency is a registered, licensed vendor on Sam.gov, the official US government system for contracting. Smith has a background in education and taught for four years at the Weinberg Early Learning Center at The Temple, based in Atlanta. She worked as an English language arts substitute in the Clearwater school system and received her master’s in professional writing, with a minor in technical writing from Kennesaw State University. Passionate about representation and access, Smith ties her own educational journey into web design in her published book, “Tech is Magic: Tech Tales & Activities for Curious Kids.” This STEM-themed children’s book introduces the world of technology to young minds with vivid illustrations that spark their imaginations. “I want technology to not be intimidating for kids. It’s really about representation, confidence, and showing kids they’re not just users and consumers of technology, but that they can create too,” Smith said. Smith’s book is integrated into both Canguros’ preschool & private school, and Children Read Atlanta. A sequel is in development, but until its release, you can purchase it on her site. Introduction to technology isn’t limited to young children alone. Through its newsletter, Tech Queens Weekly, the TTC Agency provides educational and informational sessions exploring AI. For more information about the TTC Agency’s services and how to book a consultation, you can find her work on her official website. Photo courtesy of Taylor Smith. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

Mayor Ken Welch’s campaign is highlighting new endorsements as the 2026 mayoral race heats up in St. Petersburg. Photo by Mark Parker. Mayor Ken Welch has secured a fresh wave of endorsements from local leaders as he seeks a second term in St. Petersburg. ​State Rep. Michele Rayner, former State Sen. Arthenia Joyner, Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers, and City Council members Copley Gerdes and Deborah Figgs-Sanders have joined the St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters and the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association in supporting Welch’s reelection bid. ​Monday’s announcement also highlighted previous endorsements from former County Commissioners Pat Gerard and Susan Latvala, and Gulfport City Councilmember Jennifer Webb, also a former state representative. Welch said on Tuesday that partnerships are a “huge part of our success.” “You don’t get anything accomplished without having significant partners,” Welch told Power Broker Magazine. “So, having those leaders, folks who have done the hard work on the ground, both in times of celebration and in times of challenge, means a lot. And that’s the way we’ll continue to be successful.” The incumbent’s latest backers credited his leadership amid increasing environmental threats, the affordable housing crisis, and the saga surrounding the pivotal redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District. ​Flowers said Welch has “faced each challenge with a focus and sheer tenacity required of a change agent leader.” She believes the incumbent is ideally suited to “restore a land forgotten, bring about employment opportunities that move in tandem with the digital age, prepare for a resilient and sustainable coastline, and provide attainable/affordable housing for those most in need.” ​“In moments of crisis, residents need leadership that is calm, capable, and focused on results,” Gerdes said in a prepared statement. “Ken Welch has brought exactly that to St. Petersburg’s storm recovery efforts, working to help neighborhoods recover and ensuring the city comes back stronger.” ​Welch, who grew up in the Gas Plant, became the city’s first Black mayor in 2022. The announcement notes his focus on strengthening neighborhoods and inclusive economic opportunities. ​Some opponents, such as former Shore Acres Neighborhood Association President Kevin Batdorf, have criticized the city’s response to the unprecedented 2024 hurricane season. He and other registered mayoral candidates, including Councilmember Brandi Gabbard, have also questioned Welch’s handling of the Gas Plant proposal process after the Tampa Bay Rays exited an arduously negotiated deal in March 2025. ​“The Historic Gas Plant District calls for a steady hand that understands both the weight of the past and the stakes of the future,” said Figgs-Sanders. “Ken Welch has approached that work with care, accountability, and a real commitment to honoring the community’s legacy.” ​Welch’s challengers also include former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large. He recently announced on social media that five former presidents of the St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters are supporting his campaign. ​​Maria Scruggs, former president of the St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP, became the first person to officially enter the 2026 mayoral race in August. The longtime community activist noted that former Gov. Charlie Crist – an expected opponent who has yet to file – endorsed Welch in 2020. ​“That doesn’t give me a lot of confidence in the professional political endorsements, which is why I am working hard to secure public endorsements from the people who can vote for me, as opposed to the ones who can write the biggest checks,” Scruggs said. ​A political action committee (PAC) supporting Crist’s potential campaign has, through previous and current donations, raised over $1 million. However, the group has not announced any endorsements, nor have Gabbard, Batdorf, or perennial candidate Paul Congemi. “I am looking forward to the endorsement of the voters when they go to the polls on Aug. 18,” Gabbard said. Welch remains unconcerned with other candidates or their potential supporters, he said on Tuesday. His campaign will highlight several additional endorsements representing “different parts of the community” from “folks who partner with us to build real progress” throughout the coming months. “My focus is the team that we put together, both within the city and throughout the community, that are going to propel our continued progress in the second term,” Welch said. “These are folks who live, work, and play in St. Pete, and have been visible and active in our community over the past 4.5 years. And I think that’s important.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

County Commissioner Renee Flowers speaks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bayou Court Apartments in South St. Petersburg, one of 18 projects to receive Penny IV Pinellas affordable housing funding. The county is evaluating $37 million in requests with just $2.9 million remaining in program coffers. Photo by Mark Parker. ​Pinellas County is closing its landmark affordable housing fund after dedicating over $90 million to 18 income-restricted, multi-family developments over the past eight years. ​The money stems from the 1-cent Penny IV Pinellas sales tax, approved by 83% of voters in November 2017. County officials initially expected the 10-year housing program to net $99.8 million. ​However, the expected accumulation is now $94.1 million after Florida eliminated state and local sales taxes on commercial rents last year. Bruce Bussey, the county’s community development manager, told commissioners on Tuesday that Pinellas has approximately $2.9 million remaining, and “quite a few more applications in the pipeline significantly exceed that amount.” “The people who have applied – there’s not going to be funds for them anyway,” said County Administrator Barry Burton. “Unless [some of] those projects don’t go forward.” ​Bussey recommended closing the program to new applications immediately. Commissioners agreed to extend the portal until Friday, despite little hope that any last-minute requests would receive critical county funding. ​Pinellas is already evaluating eight additional funding requests totaling $37 million, with just $2.9 million remaining in program coffers. “That’s going to be the challenge,” Burton said. ​Bussey said the county would not disregard existing applications, as federal funding remains available. However, that money has “a lot of different restrictions.” ​County guidelines state that Penny IV Funds can strengthen the local economy by providing affordable housing for residents who meet income requirements. The program is open to developments with, but does not support, mixed uses or market-rate units. ​The county typically uses the funding to acquire land, which ensures affordability. Proposed projects often receive the commission’s approval amid the protracted attainable housing crisis. ​Pinellas cannot restart the program until and unless voters approve an extension in November 2028. The county and its 24 municipalities, which receive a percentage of the funding, would begin receiving additional funding in 2029. ​After the meeting, Commissioner Renee Flowers celebrated the program’s success. She said the county “has kept its promise” to voters by dedicating 4% of Penny IV Funds, which also support capital projects, to affordable housing developments. ​“That’s great news.” Flowers told Power Broker Magazine. “However, due to the rising costs of land and supplies, projects were funded at a greater level in order to make the project viable.” ​Flowers also noted that federal, state, and private equity funding remains available to help subsidize income-restricted units. “It is my hope that the commission will join me in allocating an even greater percentage to affordable housing projects – we certainly could use it.” ​Bussey said developers leveraged Penny IV Funds to secure $862 million from other sources. The 18 projects funded through the program total $953.3 million. ​The $91.2 million already committed will help create 2,227 affordable units. Four funded projects have been completed, eight are under construction, and six will soon break ground. While the per-unit cost has significantly increased – the price tag for each apartment in a project approved on Thursday is $441, 470 – the average county subsidy is approximately $41,000. Bussey said those homes will remain affordable “for the next 30 to 100 years.” Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube

The Florida Holocaust Museum’s recent renovation project included installing a Danish fishing boat used to rescue Jews from Nazi atrocities. Additional tech-enabled exhibitions are on the way. Photos by Mark Parker. “It’s hard to be a Jew right now,” Helen Levine told the crowd gathered at the Florida Holocaust Museum on Wednesday. ​However, the former board member and current lobbyist for the museum noted that it represents “all peoples and how they come together” to stand against hatred. She said the St. Petersburg-based institution has emerged “better and stronger” after enduring some “tough times” throughout the years. ​The museum, which reopened in September 2025 at 55 5th St. S. after an $8 million renovation project, hosted the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership’s quarterly event on Wednesday. CEO Eric Stillman, who took the helm in June, shared how previous, new, and forthcoming exhibitions bolster the institution’s mission. ​“I think once we add these additional elements – particularly, the Wiesel Experience – we’re going to really be standing out from the crowd,” Stillman said after the event. ​ The museum was entrusted with the prized Elie Wiesel Collection in early 2024. Wiesel was a Nobel Laureate, advocate, and Holocaust survivor who President Barack Obama called the “moral conscience of our world.” ​Weisel lived in St. Petersburg part-time for 24 years, and the museum is now the “world’s largest holder” of his personal artifacts, Stillman said. While a small portion of the collection is now on display, most remains unseen. ​That will soon change when the Wiesel Experience opens on the museum’s third floor. Stillman said it would feature a recreation, “not a replica,” of the icon’s office – complete with his desk, bookcases, and literature. ​Touch-screen walls will display digitized versions of artifacts. Stillman said visitors can “pull down documents from any aspect” of the collection to learn more about Wiesel’s life journey. ​The interactive space will also have a Dynamic Dialogue Den to facilitate discussions regarding ethical dilemmas. “We all have them in our personal life, our professional life,” Stillman said. Eric Stillman became president and CEO of the Florida Holocaust Museum in June 2025. Dimensions in Testimony is a longstanding core exhibit that enables people to ask questions and receive responses from pre-recorded video interviews with Holocaust survivors. It will move into a new theater. ​The building was formerly a bank, and the museum is transforming a vault room adjacent to the first-floor core exhibit room into a 68-seat interactive theater. Stillman said the space is large enough “for an entire school group, which goes back to part of our mission.” ​He noted that the museum will remain open during construction, which is expected to conclude in 2027. The institution closed for over a year amid the recent renovation project. ​However, Stillman said the museum has seen significantly more visitors and school groups since it reopened. Its mission to “educate everybody on the dignity and worth of every human being” through the “lessons of the Holocaust” is now leadership’s sole focus. ​“We have to solve all of our problems in society together,” Stillman added. “How can we tackle issues and challenges right here in our city? Right here in St. Petersburg.” A railroad boxcar used to transport Jews to Nazi death camps. ​The core exhibition, “History, Heritage, and Hope,” encompasses the entire first floor and features a railroad boxcar used to transport Jews to Nazi death camps. Stillman noted that five million people of all faiths were killed alongside six million Jews in the Holocaust. ​Visitors can also see a new artifact: A 10-ton Danish fishing boat dubbed Thor. The private vessel was part of a massive flotilla that carried over 7,000 Jews – nearly the entire population in Nazi-occupied Denmark, to neutral Sweden in 1943. ​The museum set Thor “into the floor” so visitors can see where “Jews were hidden under the deck and covered with fish” during renovations, Stillman said. “When you have a physical manifestation, a boat, inside of a museum … you get a sense of the power of what one person can do and the difference one person can make.” ​Additional renovations included a new, modernized facade and entrance with enhanced security features. The latter upgrade is critical amid persistent antisemitism and the ongoing war in Iran. ​Stillman said an X-ray machine utilizes artificial intelligence to determine if someone has a disassembled weapon in their bag. “We know that we have to maintain a very secure environment to protect our visitors, our staff, our artifacts – it’s essential.” The museum, with state funding, has exponentially increased its security features. Share Your News with Us To share news with the Power Broker, connect with reachout@powerbrokermagazine.com. To sign up for our twice-weekly e-newsletter, visit www.powerbrokernews.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube