Amid growing concerns about the structural stability of downtown St. Pete’s tallest skyscraper, representatives are once again reassuring residents that the 46-story tower is not expected to tip over and fall onto neighboring properties anytime soon. Development consultant Graham Whitmore says the building was constructed to the highest standards, using the highest-quality materials, and that…

As calls grow louder to remove Flock cameras from county roads, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has warned that scaling back the surveillance network could come at a steep price, raising concerns among pet owners that their animals could be at risk. The controversy follows Tuesday’s County Commission meeting, where commissioners shelved a proposal to…

According to a recent study, dozens of Florida condo towers are slowly sinking. Researchers documented differential settlement in several buildings along South Florida’s coastline, raising concerns about potential structural damage and costly repairs. But development consultant Graham Whitmore says that’s great news for the economy. “Florida has always benefited from new construction,” Whitmore explained. “Now…

ST. PETERSBURG — City officials are exploring an ambitious proposal to drain Lake Maggiore and replace it with a sprawling workforce housing development, tentatively named Maggiore Manor. The project would transform hundreds of acres of underwater real estate into thousands of affordable housing units. Officials say the lake represents an underutilized development opportunity, occupying valuable…

ST. PETERSBURG — Developers have proposed replacing the Hilton Bayfront hotel in downtown St. Petersburg with two 110-story luxury condominium towers, potentially creating the largest residential development in the city’s history. The project would feature luxury residences, sweeping views of Tampa Bay, and a distinctive architectural design intended to transform the downtown skyline. City spokesperson…

ST. PETERSBURG — St. Pete City Council may soon have electric shock gloves on hand as officials explore exciting new possibilities for the high-tech devices. The gloves could become the latest addition to City Hall’s growing toolbox. City officials are enthusiastic about the gloves’ potential, describing them as a promising way to enhance the overall…

St. Petersburg has officially been named Best City in the Bay in Creative Loafing’s annual Best of the Bay awards, prompting city officials to announce plans for a massive mural honoring Mayor Ken Welch and the City Council on the exterior of The Central parking garage across from Ferg’s. Welch accepted the award Wednesday evening,…

As city leaders search for innovative ways to address St. Pete’s affordable housing crisis, an unlikely institution could provide the solution: the Church of Scientology. A concept dubbed “Commodore Commons” could pair Scientology’s existing organizational structure with St. Pete’s “Yes in God’s Backyard,” or YIGBY, initiative to create a new model for affordable housing. The…

LARGO — Following the arrests of two deputies accused of improperly accessing law-enforcement databases while pursuing a woman and a 17-year-old girl, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is reportedly preparing to launch its own Flock-based dating service. Officials say the misconduct didn’t highlight a problem with the technology itself, but rather the need for a…

CLEARWATER — Local officials are warning that Amendment 3 could force governments across Florida to make painful budget cuts, affecting parks, libraries, public safety and other essential services. If approved by voters in November, the constitutional amendment would significantly increase Florida’s homestead exemption for non-school property taxes, reducing a major source of revenue for counties…