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Local Government

Aerial view of Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa ahead of a Hillsborough County vote on expanded public funding for renovations.
The Mirasol building on Davis Islands, a historic waterfront apartment complex proposed for boutique hotel conversion, photographed at dusk.
Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry Campus in Tampa ahead of a board vote on a nonbinding memorandum tied to a proposed Rays stadium development.

More Local Government

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park renovation seeks $5.5M CRA funding
 |  Chuck Merlis

Tampa’s CRA will consider a $5.5M request to fund infrastructure upgrades at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

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Playground and event lawn at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa, proposed for infrastructure upgrades under a $5.5M CRA funding request.
St. Pete opens bid window for Gas Plant District
 |  Chuck Merlis

St. Petersburg opens a competitive proposal window for redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District.

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Map showing the Historic Gas Plant District and surrounding St. Petersburg neighborhoods before construction of Interstate 175.
Future of Davis Islands’ Mirasol hinges on Jan. 15 vote
 |  Chuck Merlis

A Jan. 15 City Council vote will determine whether the historic Mirasol returns to its original use as a boutique hotel.

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Historic Mirasol building on Davis Islands shown alongside archival photo as Tampa City Council vote approaches
$34.7M Fair Oaks Recreation Center opens in East Tampa
 |  Chuck Merlis

East Tampa’s $34.7M Fair Oaks Recreation Center opens as a major community investment heading into 2026.

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Aerial view of the Fair Oaks Recreation Center in East Tampa showing solar panels on the roof and surrounding neighborhood
St. Petersburg becomes 1st Florida city to adopt faith based affordable housing provision
 |  Chuck Merlis

St. Petersburg is the first Florida city to adopt a faith based policy aimed at expanding affordable housing opportunities.

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St. Petersburg officials and community partners break ground on SkyWay Lofts, an affordable housing development by Blue Sky Communities
City of Tampa puts police HQ on the market for $36M. Why?
 |  Chuck Merlis

Tampa is putting its police HQ on the market for $36M — here’s why the city is selling and what comes next.

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Tampa Police officers standing in a line in front of the Tampa Police Department headquarters, a tall blue-glass building in downtown Tampa.
New platform links Tampa Bay donors to nonprofits losing funding
 |  Chuck Merlis

Nonprofits across Tampa Bay are facing a squeeze. Federal programs are cutting grants. State budgets are tightening. Hillsborough County is preparing to phase out many recurring local grants. At the same time, demand for food assistance, youth programs and shelter is rising. Kendall Webb has been watching the pressure build. Webb is a longtime philanthropist

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Charity Bridge Fund logo featuring three stylized bridge arches in blue, orange and light blue above the organization’s name.
St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch shares major updates with TBBW
 |  Chuck Merlis

Mayor Ken Welch briefed TBBW on St. Pete’s biggest priorities from tech migration to resilience and the future of the Gas Plant District.

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St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch wearing a blue suit and striped tie, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.
Tropicana Field roof finished early as Rays chase new stadium
 |  Chuck Merlis

St. Pete finished the Trop roof early and is moving into the next phase of repairs while the Rays explore a new stadium site.

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Aerial image of Tropicana Field under bright blue skies with St. Petersburg neighborhoods in the background.
Hyde Park residents push back on Magnolia Hotel proposal
 |  Chuck Merlis

Residents voice concerns over the scale, parking and flood risks tied to the proposed Magnolia Hotel and Residences in Hyde Park.

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Wide shot of Magnolia Hotel & Residences from Bayshore Boulevard, showing its white façade, balconies and surrounding greenery.
Inside Mayor Jane Castor’s plan to fix Tampa traffic
 |  Chuck Merlis

Mayor Jane Castor maps out how Tampa will manage growth through new transit, funding partnerships and smart infrastructure investments.

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Tampa Mayor Jane Castor smiles in a professional headshot, wearing a navy blazer, white blouse and glasses.
Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s PAC tops $1 million as he prepares comeback
 |  Chuck Merlis

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s PAC tops $1 million as a 2027 Tampa mayoral bid looms.

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A view of downtown Tampa, Florida, with the Hillsborough River in the foreground and high-rise office buildings along the waterfront. Inset is a portrait of former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn wearing a navy suit and blue striped tie, smiling outdoors.