St. Pete plans a November vote on up to $600 million for storm resilience
Up to $600 million for infrastructure, a Free Clinic gift and October events.
The City plans to ask residents in November to vote on general obligation bonds of up to $600 million for St. Pete Agile Resilience projects. Public works administrator Claude Tankersley says the borrowing would add to ongoing work funded through utility rates. The current plan would take roughly 24 years to complete $2.7 billion in projects; he estimates the bond would shorten that to about 19 years. The proposed improvements include flood protection, drainage, wastewater treatment and drinking-water systems.
Reverie Room is open
It opened Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 655 31st Street South.
The Pier’s October calendar brings back four annual events
- When
- October 2026
- Where
- St. Pete Pier
Fall Fest and Putt the Pier also return during October.
Green Bench hosts October Halloween screenings
- When
- All month in October
- Where
- Green Bench Brewing beer garden
- Address
- 1133 Baum Avenue, St. Petersburg
Halloween films screen under the stars in the beer garden throughout October.
A $5 million gift for the St. Pete Free Clinic
Trevor Burgess and Gary Hess committed $5 million to St. Pete Free Clinic’s five-year, $100 million Care Forward effort. The clinic plans to combine medical and office space, a food pantry and partner services at the former Badcock furniture store at 2200 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street S. The clinic previously said it hoped to open in late 2026 or early 2027.
St. Petersburg College starts its own police force
Chief Andrew MacPherson and Deputy Chief Tracy Smith oversee police operations at SPC’s main campuses. The department works alongside Campus Security and does not replace it. The college hopes to hire five sworn officers over the next year, if the budget allows. The board approved the department this summer, and a ceremonial swearing-in took place in September.