Internships CBCF’s internship programs prepare college students and young professionals to become principled leaders, skilled policy analysts, and informed advocates by exposing them to the processes that develop national policies and implement them – from Capitol Hill to federal field offices.
Program participants receive housing, a stipend, office placements, and opportunities to meet and interact with professional legislators and leaders working in all branches of government.
Two of eight proposals to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District follow the same outline as a previous bid by the Tampa Bay Rays and Hines, which former team owner Stuart Sternberg walked away from in March 2025. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.
Mayor Ken Welch is currently considering eight proposals to reimagine the Historic Gas Plant District, currently home to Tropicana Field. His decision will alter St. Petersburg’s socioeconomic fabric.
The site, once a haven for the city’s African American community during segregation, is steeped in history and long-deferred promises. Hundreds of families and businesses were displaced in the name of economic progress; they received a baseball stadium and a sea of surface parking lots.
St. Petersburg’s first Black mayor has sought to make amends since taking office in 2021, and arduously negotiated a failed $6.7 billion redevelopment deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. However, his priorities for the 86-acre site remain unchanged – jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, affordable housing, and a new home for the Woodson African American Museum of Florida.
“This project is about people, history, and long-standing promises – not simply a stadium site or a real estate transaction,” Welch wrote in a recent memo to city council members, who must ultimately approve a redevelopment deal.
Here are some key components of each proposal:
Ark Ellison Horus proposed an elevated park with a “Community Arch” that connects the Historic Gas Plant District and South St. Petersburg neighborhoods. Rendering provided.
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 outlined a “restorative justice and reconciliation” plan with “community-first phasing.” If approved, the group will break ground on a new Woodson African American Museum of Florida, provide 446 affordable housing units with street-level retail space, enhance the 16th Street South corridor, launch a minority-focused business accelerator, and help reconnect neighborhoods 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 will also build 618 affordable units for seniors.
The developers offered $202 million for the land, which includes $50 million in community benefits and demolition of the Trop. Ark Ellison Horus would also create a “Unity Arch” land bridge to Campbell Park, a 200,000-square-foot Innovation Hall, an 80,000-square-foot music venue, and expansive business incubation, academic, and research facilities before the project is completed in 2043.
Ark Ellison Horus set a small, local, and minority-owned business participation goal of 40%. The developers expect the 20-year, $6.8 billion project to create 14,296 “higher wage” jobs and 5,442 temporary positions.
Ground-penetrating radar has found 10 potential graves underneath the Trop’s parking lots. Ark Ellison Horus plans to create a “thoughtful memorial” to ensure those buried at the site are “acknowledged with dignity and respect, creating a lasting place of remembrance within the District.”
“The Gas Plant District can become a magnet for venture capital, entrepreneurs and research talent, seeding the next wave of world-changing companies right here,” said Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Invest, in a prepared statement.
“By embedding education, culture, and startup opportunities alongside housing and infrastructure, this vision can generate exponential long-term economic impact, create thousands of high-wage jobs, and ensure residents share directly in this prosperity.”
A new Woodson African American Museum of Florida will serve as the “crown jewel” of a “Museum Row” in The Burg Bid’s proposal. Rendering: Wannemacher Jensen Architects and Zyscovich (now Stratus).
Blake Investment Partners / The Burg Bid LLC
St. Petersburg native Thompson Whitney Blake, founder of Blake Investment Partners, has partnered with the Related Group, a Miami-based development firm, and several local organizations on his $8.1 billion proposal. A 13-acre central park and new Woodson Museum would anchor the reimagined district.
A “museum row” would also feature a public art museum led by local artists Chad Mize and Mark Aeling. The proposal includes the “largest delivery of affordable and workforce housing units in city history” – over 3,600 on and off-site units.
St. Petersburg-based Blue Sky Communities will help build 1,800 income-restricted units in the Gas Plant and another 1,800 throughout the city over approximately 15 years. The proposal also features conference facilities, academic and research buildings, childcare space, cultural venues, and “significant contiguous green space featuring Booker Creek and the Pinellas Trail.”
Community leaders representing over 20 organizations will serve on a permanent advisory committee, the Historic Gas Plant Visionary Panel. Participants will provide ongoing project guidance, feedback, and accountability.
The developers would purchase 58 acres for $275 million. Additional highlights include a small business success center, “The Collaboratorium,” and space for a potential water and surf park.
Studies on disparity and structural racism will inform efforts to provide “meaningful economic opportunities,” including jobs and business ownership, to historically underserved communities. A Community Investment Fund, a “wealth-generating special purpose vehicle,” will enable residents to have a financial stake in the generational project.
The proposal prioritizes reconnecting bifurcated South St. Pete neighborhoods through a multimodal transportation network, continuous workforce development with apprenticeship and placement programs, environmental sustainability, and innovation through smart city technologies.
“We’re weaving together housing, culture, and commerce, with meaningful community accountability to create everlasting value for the city,” Blake said in a prepared statement. “The Historic Gas Plant District holds deep meaning, and our vision represents a long-term commitment to the people of St. Petersburg.”
Foundation Vision Partners will prepare the site for “shovel-ready vertical development parcels” that the city would then sell, “block-by-block,” to local, regional, and national developers. Rendering provided.
Foundation Vision Partners
Former members of the Rays and Hines development team submitted a unique proposal that would allow St. Petersburg to retain ownership of the 86 acres surrounding Tropicana Field. Foundation Vision Partners (FVP) is led by Will Conroy, founder of St. Petersburg-based real estate investment firm Backstreets Capital; Alex Schapira, former regional partner for global developer Hines; and Anddrikk Frazier, CEO of Best Source Consulting.
The group would take a master planning and infrastructure-first approach to transforming the area into a vibrant, mixed-use community. FVP’s announcement stated that the Gas Plant, “a site of profound cultural and historical significance,” remains undeveloped due to “all-or-nothing” models.
FVP plans to co-create a master plan with the community before starting the project’s design, permitting, and essential infrastructure phase. That will prepare the area for “shovel-ready vertical development parcels” that the city would then sell, “block-by-block,” to local, regional, and national developers.
Under the proposal, St. Petersburg would pay an estimated $67 million in upfront infrastructure costs to unlock $510 million in land sales – creating a self-funding mechanism throughout the project’s lifespan. “A generational project deserves to be responsive to multiple generations,” Frazier said in a prepared statement.
“Our success will be measured by how effectively this district creates opportunity for residents and local businesses, and reflects the full fabric of St. Petersburg.”
The city would pay a total of $239 million over four development phases. FVP believes its model would foster approximately 4,700 mixed-income housing units, 825,000 square feet of office and medical space, 450,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 350,000 square feet of civic, cultural, and entertainment space, and over 20 acres of park and open space.
Sarellyn Hamatani, founder of Freedom Communities Company, submitted a six-page proposal encompassing 1 to 1.5 acres within the Gas Plant. The site would feature an affordable housing-focused mixed-use development, Sanctuary St. Pete.
The project’s first phase would feature 80 affordable and 20 workforce housing units. FCC would also build ground-level commercial space for a grocer and community amenities.
Future phases would include an unspecified number of apartments for seniors and additional workforce housing. The project, limited to one seven-story building, would offer a two-year rental-to-homeownership program.
Hamatani estimated the project’s costs at roughly $300,000 per unit. FCC also hopes to partner with Habitat for Humanity.
“This development is designed not only to house residents, but to restore opportunity, honor history, and build generational pathways to stability and ownership,” Hamatani wrote.
Seminole resident Thomas Rask submitted a vague proposal on behalf of Logical Sites, Inc. & Partners. He wrote that the group could “only provide an outline of its plan for the site” due to legal concerns with the city’s solicitation process.
“In such an environment, putting exact plans, numbers, figures, and even the name of the development principal into the public record, at this point in time, would be extremely unwise,” Rask added.
The proposal’s “starting point is 100% affordable housing.” Rask, his wife, Jennifer, and unnamed partners will also create homes for residents with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Logical Sites believes its plan will allow the city to “exercise various options” that could include a Woodson Museum, a convention center, hotel rooms, and office, retail, and park space. However, those components would reduce the number of affordable housing units.
“If we are not selected, we anticipate that there will be a future and legally sufficient invitation for new proposals, an invitation which we will be happy to respond to more fully,” Rask wrote.
The Pinellas County Housing Authority proposed a seven-story affordable senior housing facility. Rendering: City documents.
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 at 1659 3rd Ave. S., a city-owned parcel used for overflow parking during Rays games.
The project would provide 80 affordable housing units, with SPHA prioritizing applications from former residents of the Gas Plant. Apartments would average approximately 700 square feet and cater to “lower-income seniors, with an emphasis on very-low income.”
The PCHA proposed a land conveyance fee of $1. The facility, designed by STORYN Studios, which was also part of the Rays and Hines development team, will feature ground-level and rooftop community spaces. It will also provide direct access to the Pinellas Trail.
Ark Ellison Horus selected the PCHA to oversee its affordable housing component. The St. Petersburg Housing Authority has signed non-exclusive letters of intent to partner with both The Burg Bid and Ark Ellison Horus.
The International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement submitted a proposal for the Reparations Land Trust and Development Authority (RLTADA). It does not include a redevelopment or site plan.
Instead, the group plans to establish a quasi-governmental agency to secure reparations for displaced Black residents by seizing “large tracts of city-owned or corporate-owned land” in South St. Petersburg through eminent domain. The RLTADA would create a Community Empowerment Corridor between 1st Avenue and 54th Avenue South, from 49th Street to 3rd Street South.
The agency would then own, buy, sell, and develop land within those boundaries. A Black Contractor Consortium would complete the work.
Tampa Bay Boom’s proposal highlights new sports facilities, both inside and outside of the Gas Plant District. Rendering: City documents.
Tampa Bay Boom
Dr. R. Brian Ligon, a St. Petersburg-based dentist, proposed a mixed-use district with multiple sports-related projects. He plans to purchase the Gas Plant site for an unnamed amount.
Ligon also wants to purchase the Tampa Bay Rays and renovate or replace the Trop. Potential development partners include national firms HOK, Populous, AECOM, JE Dunn, and JLL.
The developers also hope to secure a new NBA franchise, the Tampa Bay Boom, a WNBA franchise dubbed the Tampa Bay Angels, and an NBA G League (developmental) team called the Tampa Bay Palms. Renderings include a 17,000-seat multipurpose arena adjacent to Al Lang Stadium along St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront.
The proposal outlines an unknown number of affordable and workforce housing units. Ligon’s development model emphasizes “equitable public-private partnerships, minority and women-owned business participation, community-based workforce development, long-term ownership and stewardship, and financial sustainability with shared public benefit.”
Minority-led Tampa Bay Boom “anticipates engagement” with national financial institutions Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan Chase to “strengthen financial capacity, enhance capital market credibility, and support disciplined execution consistent with the city’s expectations.” However, the proposal states that “no financial commitments are implied.”
In addition to a “substantial affordable and workforce housing component,” the project would feature retail and small business spaces, cultural, arts, and heritage-focused programming, workforce training, education and innovation spaces, public open space, green infrastructure, and community gathering areas.
“Our approach mirrors nationally recognized best practices for inclusive development, similar in structure and intent to precedent projects that integrate sports, housing, retail, culture, and workforce pathways into cohesive urban districts,” states the proposal.
A community health workshop at The Willa Carson Health & Wellness Center, founded in 1997 by Willa Livingston Carson. Carson worked as a registered nurse and sought to meet the needs of those uninsured in her community. She formed a free, not-for-profit clinic that continues to uphold her legacy almost 30 years later. Image courtesy of the Willa Carson Center.
The Willa Carson Wellness and Health Center’s 13th Annual Run/Walk for Willa will be off to the races on March 28, 2026, at Coachman Park. Executive Director, Kimberly Nunn-Crawford is busy preparing for the non-profit’s clinic key event to take off at the end of the month.
In her role, Nunn-Crawford oversees the financial operations, coordinates and writes grants, and manages compliance to ensure the clinic meets all regulatory standards.
“My role also involves expanding our reach, boosting community awareness, networking, and pursuing new partnerships and resources for the wellness center,” said Nunn-Crawford.
The Willa Carson Health & Wellness Center was founded in 1997 in North Greenwood, Clearwater, by Willa Livingston Carson. Carson worked as a registered nurse and sought to meet the needs of those uninsured in her community. She formed a free, not-for-profit clinic that continues to uphold her legacy almost 30 years later.
After Carson’s passing in 2006, the “Walk for Willa” was established to honor her legacy. The first run/walk fundraiser started in 2007 as a community-driven event to celebrate her commitment to accessible health care and to raise both funds and awareness for the clinic.
Runners from the annual Run/Walk for Willa. Image courtesy of Kimberly Nunn-Crawford.
“Today, the Annual Run/Walk for Willa serves as a key fundraiser and a celebration, bringing together supporters from all backgrounds to advance the cause of accessible health and wellness in Pinellas County,” stated Nunn-Crawford.
This no-cost medical center is an enormous help to those uninsured and is funded primarily through donations. Funding supports the salaries of nurse practitioners and medical assistants, and has enabled the clinic to expand its mental health services. The wellness center has received generous grants from BayCare, the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, the Pinellas Community Foundation, and Allegany Franciscan Foundation, to name a few.
“We recently partnered with the Rotary Club of Belleair, which hosted a 50-50 raffle to benefit the clinic; the proceeds were used to purchase much-needed clinic supplies,” Nunn-Crawford said.
The clinic operates part-time, three days a week, serving the community Tuesdays through Thursdays. Last year, they served approximately 237 individuals.
A mural depicting community health, painted by renowned local artist Zulu Painter, adorns the Willa Carson Health and Wellness Center in North Greenwood, Clearwater.Image courtesy of Kimberly Nunn-Crawford.
Last November, Nunn-Crawford attended the Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (FAFCC) Annual Conference. A key takeaway that stayed with her was “the importance of prioritizing donor relationships.”
“We are now implementing personal touches such as sending hand-written thank-you notes to our donors. This initiative aims to strengthen our connections and show genuine appreciation for their support, which is essential for sustaining our clinic’s mission,” explained Nunn-Crawford.
The Willa Carson Health and Wellness Center has achieved several significant milestones to expand its impact on the community. At the start, the center prioritized providing essential medical care for uninsured individuals. As their understanding of “holistic health” evolved, the no-cost medical center broadened its services to address an individual’s physical, mental, and social well-being. It introduced mental health services to support emotional well-being, as well as dietary consultations to help patients make informed nutritional choices.
“Recognizing the importance of addressing food insecurity, we recently partnered with Metropolitan Ministries to provide weekly congregate dining,” said Nunn-Crawford.
Carson’s vision to bring free and accessible healthcare to the community is evident in the center’s sustained operation and expansion nearly three decades later.
“By welcoming a new generation of residents, the clinic demonstrates its commitment to providing essential medical support and fostering wellness for all, regardless of financial barriers,” Nunn-Crawford affirmed.
Due to changes in the law, all Florida voters who vote by mail must submit a NEW mail ballot request to their county Supervisor of Elections. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5pm, 10 days before the election. Photo image courtesy of League of Women Voters
By Tanya Landry, League of Women Voters of North Pinellas County
If you’re a Florida voter, here’s something you need to know: the state legislature is considering a bill that could make voting way more complicated. The proposed Election Integrity Act (HB 991/SB 1334) would require all voters in Florida—new and existing—to re-verify their citizenship just to keep voting.
Here’s how it could affect you:
– Your voting record would be checked against a government database.
– If your info doesn’t match—maybe your last name changed after marriage or divorce—you’d need to provide extra proof of citizenship.
– That could mean digging up a birth certificate or even getting a passport.
Why this matters:
– Over 8 million Floridians don’t have a passport.
– Over 4.7 million women in Florida don’t have a birth certificate that matches their current legal name.
– Florida has already been passing laws that make voting harder, like changing polling – places or tightening ID requirements—especially impacting students and seniors.
Sound familiar? That’s because Florida’s bill is modeled after the national Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which is currently in the U.S. Senate. Supporters say it’s about preventing illegal voting, but the reality is that voter fraud in Florida is extremely rare, and illegal voters face serious penalties anyway.
In short: this bill could add unnecessary barriers for millions of legal voters—at a time when the cost of living (and passports) is high.
What You Can Do
You don’t have to sit this out. Here’s how to stay ready to vote:
1. Spread the word. Share this info with friends, family, and classmates.
2. Check your documents. Find your birth certificate and make sure your ID is current.
3. Get a passport if you can. Even if you mostly vote in person, it’s better to be prepared.
4. Check your voter registration. Use VOTE411.org.
5. Register to vote if you haven’t yet. Don’t wait—do it now.
6. Request a mail ballot. Even if you plan to vote in person, this is a backup that lets you study issues at home. You can drop it off at your local Supervisor of Elections office (Hillsborough: votehillsborough.gov, Pinellas: votepinellas.gov, Pasco: pascovotes.gov).
7. Consider early voting if you plan to vote in person.
Civil rights icon John Lewis once said, “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to change our world.” Make sure your voice is heard—your vote matters.
Take action: Contact your Florida House and Senate reps today:
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Alton Skyway will replace the former St. Petersburg College Allstate Center at 3200 34th St. S. All images: City documents.
A 17.25-acre property in St. Petersburg’s rapidly evolving Skyway Marina District will soon feature an upscale, 619-unit apartment community, despite ardent opposition to the project.
The city’s Development Review Commission approved a site plan for Alton Skyway on Wednesday in a 5-1 vote following a lengthy debate. Delray Beach-based developer Kolter Multifamily will build the garden-style complex at 3200 34th Street South, formerly home to St. Petersburg College’s Allstate Center.
Kolter will demolish multiple existing educational buildings to make way for Alton Skyway. Concerns centered on the two-phased development’s lack of retail space.
A local developer, district representatives, and commissioners agreed that the project diverges from design standards outlined in the Skyway Marina District Plan. However, attorney Elise Batsel of Stearns Weaver Miller, who represents Kolter, noted that the city never codified what amounts to a development guide.
“Would I like to see it perhaps integrate more into the vision of the Marina plan? Sure,” said Commissioner Sarah Jane Vatelot. “But can we enforce it? No. And I think that it meets the requirements of the land development regulations as they stand today.”
An overhead view of the 17.25-acre site (red).
Once complete, the project will feature eight five-story buildings, a large stormwater pond with a trail, and 883 parking spaces, another point of contention. Additional amenities include two pools, a dog park, and a clubhouse.
Kolter will complete the project in two phases, each with four buildings. The first will feature 342 units and 484 parking spaces on the southern half of the site.
Alton Skyway’s second phase includes an additional 277 apartments and 399 parking spaces. Kolter dedicated a one-acre parcel on the property’s southwest corner for up to 5,000 square feet of commercial space, which the commission will review separately.
Registered opponent Frank Guerra, founder of Altis Cardinal, believes the retail component is an afterthought that may never materialize. He said the district plan, adopted by the city council in 2014, called for more commercial development, increased walkability, and parking structures rather than sprawling surface lots.
Guerra’s firm is building Sky Town, a 34.3-acre, $800 million development to the west of Alton Skyway. His project will feature 2,084 apartments, 69,000 square feet of retail space anchored by a recently opened Sprouts Farmers Market, and a 120,000 square-foot self-storage facility.
The district’s plan “wouldn’t have been adopted by the city council and wouldn’t have been followed by all other developers” of market-rate multifamily projects if it were not applicable, Guerra argued.
Alton Skyway will offer one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.
Chris Isaacson, a Skyway Marina District board member, said there was “no meaningful engagement for this community.” His group met with Kolter’s team twice in the past two months and “clearly outlined our concerns.”
“Once the plans came back, they were unchanged,” Isaacson added. “We’re seeing that as not really a good faith engagement.”
One-story bike storage sheds will shield what one commissioner called a “sea of asphalt.” Alton Skyway will also feature an extensive sidewalk network that connects the ungated complex to the surrounding area.
“There’s a lot I like about the project,” said Commissioner Tim Clemmons. “I think the building is really quite handsome, and there’s a lot of effort to create this sort of internal street that runs through the middle of the project. But I think all of that is to the detriment of 34th Street.”
However, multiple commissioners said the district needs additional residents with disposable incomes to support the sought-after commercial development. “Today, there is over 47,000 square feet of vacant retail space seeking tenants,” Batsel said.
The commission ultimately found that the site plan aligned with land-use regulations, with Commissioner Joseph Griner dissenting. Kolter is under contract to purchase the property from St. Petersburg College for $26 million and can now close on the deal.
Alton Skyway’s site plan, with potential retail space in the upper left corner (grey).
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Baseball fans entering Tropicana Field have likely walked over human remains. Photo by Mark Parker.
St. Petersburg will excavate possible graves found underneath Tropicana Field’s parking lots. However, the next step in a long-overdue process must wait until the baseball season concludes in October.
City council members unanimously approved a $380,000 architectural and engineering contract on Thursday with Stantec. The firm will provide archaeological ground truthing fieldwork, management services, and a subsequent report.
Stantec delivered its initial, much-anticipated study to Mayor Ken Welch’s administration in November 2024 after using ground-penetrating radar to uncover 10 possible graves – some just three feet below ground – at the Trop. The findings remained hidden from the public until April 2025.
While the firm also found 11 areas of interest and nine unidentified disturbances, confirming the results requires exhuming remains. Council Chair Lisset Hanewicz requested a brief update on Thursday after residents reached out with concerns.
“Once anything as part of this exploratory analysis is identified, the first step is to stop work and contact the state (archaeological) officer,” said Brejesh Prayman, engineering and capital improvements director. “And then that’s a regulated process governed by Florida Statutes.”
Planning Director Derek Kilborn noted that city research at the site began in early 2020. Ground penetrating radar first identified three likely graves beneath Lots 1 and 2 at the Trop in August 2021.
The area was once home to Oaklawn Cemetery, established in 1907 between 3rd and 5th Avenues South, west of 16th Street. It predominantly served white residents.
Evergreen Cemetery, platted in 1900 to serve the Black community, now sits under I-175. Both races were interred at Moffett (St. Petersburg) Cemetery, which opened in 1888 at the intersection of 16th Street and 5th Avenue South.
Ground penetrating radar first identified three possible graves between Lots 1 and 2 in August 2021. Photo by Mark Parker.
The city condemned the contiguous burial grounds in 1926 and relocated bodies according to race. African Americans were moved to the embattled Lincoln Cemetery in Gulfport. Their Caucasian counterparts stayed closer to home at Royal Palm Cemetery.
City research has focused on Oaklawn Cemetery, as it was “the site most ready for that type of work,” Kilborn said. “And it also was the most timely, because of the ongoing discussion at the time with the Tampa Bay Rays.”
Kilborn said the previous report helped align potential graves with historical records. He also noted that the city lacks burial information for multiple anomalous areas, including two purchased by a Masonic Lodge.
“These are some of the challenges we’ll have in working with individuals and individual families and descendants,” Kilborn added. “Sometimes we just won’t know.”
St. Petersburg is home to several Masonic Lodges, and Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders asked if officials could identify a specific branch. “They may not know, and it would be great for them to have that information,” she said.
Kilborn could not provide an answer. However, he will “certainly look into it” and share what he finds with the council.
Stantec’s previous study area was limited due to roads and redevelopment negotiations. Image: Stantec.
Agenda documents state that Stantec will now conduct soft digging up to a maximum of 15 feet, sift material samples, and identify and catalogue any found remains or artifacts. Officials expect onsite ground truthing and excavations to take 10 business days.
“This task will involve investigation of at least four operation areas through the property with the highest probability of cemetery features, as well as 10 possible graves,” states the agreement. “All 10 graves will be stripped to reveal the outline of the grave shaft, and their locations and dimensions will be mapped.
“Of these graves, at least four will be excavated by hand down to the coffin, in order to confirm that human remains are present.”
The agreement adds that Stantec will complete the work by the 2026 baseball season’s opening day. While the Rays will return to the Trop on April 6, that timeline has changed significantly.
Stantec will now begin archaeological excavations in late October. “Hopefully, based on the timeline, this work won’t happen until after the conclusion of the World Series,” Kilborn said.
“Stantec recommends that no ground-truthing or other archaeological work be conducted without first consulting with potential descendants and stakeholder groups connected to Oaklawn Cemetery,” states the previous report.
“The goal of such work would be to confirm the presence of intact burials and gain a better understanding of the potential for disturbed human remains within the property – and of the distribution of burials and human remains across the property.”
City officials did not discuss outreach efforts – or current proposals to redevelop the site – during the brief presentation on Thursday.
More Photos
An outline of possible grave sites. Image: Stantec
A graphic highlighting the subject area’s evolution. Image: City documents.
A graphic highlighting likely burials and areas of interest. Image: Stantec.
A timeline of the city’s involvement. Image: City documents.
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Get ready for three unforgettable days of Irish culture, music, food, and fun at the 4th Annual Paddy Fest St. Pete. March 13–15, 2026 at Williams Park in downtown St. Pete, Florida.
This year’s festival brings together live performances, a bustling vendor market, traditional Irish food and drinks, and activities for all ages—making it the premier St. Patrick’s Day celebration in St. Pete.
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, in partnership with the Bunker Scholarship Committee and the newly founded Priscilla McFadden Scholarship Committee, proudly invites college-bound scholars to apply for the prestigious 2026 Woodson Warrior Scholarship!
In the spirit of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who championed education as a tool for progress and purpose, this scholarship honors students who are prepared to lead, serve, and excel.
If you are committed to academic excellence and community impact, we encourage you to apply!
Are you looking for a job in Tampa? If you are, this event is a must-attend. Meet with top companies in Tampa, FL.
ABOUT THIS TAMPA JOB FAIR
Join us at the highly anticipated Tampa Job Fair on April 29, 2026! If you’re seeking exciting job opportunities in the Tampa area, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Best Hire Career Fairs has a proven track record of organizing exceptional hiring events nationwide for the past ten years. What sets us apart is our ability to identify the specific skills and experiences employers seek and connect them with top-notch candidates like yourself. Whether you’re craving a fresh start or eager to take your career to new heights, this event is tailor-made for you. Mark your calendar and arrive early – doors open at 11 a.m. sharp until 2 p.m.
GET READY FOR TAMPA JOB FAIRS
Get ready for an incredible experience at the Tampa Job Fair! Picture yourself face-to-face with decision-making hiring managers from leading companies in your area – no more wasted hours sending out resumes without any response. It’s time to revamp your resume, dress professionally, and bring your absolute best self to stand out amongst the competition.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch speaks at a recent Black History Month celebration outside of City Hall. State legislation would ban such ceremonies. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.
Municipal leaders from across Florida are warning residents and business owners about the unintended consequences of ambiguous legislation that bans any actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
For example, the entire Miami Beach City Commission recently signed a letter stating that the rapidly advancing companion bills could jeopardize cultural heritage celebrations, Jewish and Black film festivals, emergency alert translation services, and health initiatives – such as free mammograms. The proposed legislation would also require businesses that work with local governments to abstain from promoting diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI).
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Tallahassee Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox, Leon County Commissioner David O’Keefe, and Fernandina Beach Commissioner Genece Minshew participated in a virtual press conference on Wednesday to highlight the potential economic and social consequences of House Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 1134. They also noted that the legislation, if approved, will result in taxpayer-funded litigation.
“It may sound ridiculous, because it is ridiculous,” Welch said of the bills. “Rather than address the real issues of housing affordability, insurance, and resilience – and maybe passing a budget on time – the legislature is wasting time and money on culture wars.
“Florida can and must do better.”
Trantalis explained that the legislation would outlaw any local ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, or policies that merely reference historically protected classes, including race, color, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis at a Stonewall Pride Parade. Photo: City of Fort Lauderdale.
HB 1001, which goes before the House for consideration on Thursday, prohibits municipal participation in and public funding for DEI-related events. Trantalis said an upcoming St. Patrick’s Day parade, along with intended impacts to people of color and the LGBTQ community, would “be a goner.”
SB 1134, which the Senate subsequently passed on Wednesday, provides “allowances for Black history and federally-recognized patriotic observances,” Williams-Cox said. However, that is “not enough specificity.”
The legislation enables residents to sue for perceived noncompliance. Williams-Cox noted that local governments cannot recover spent attorney fees, “even if we prevail.”
Local elected officials also face removal from office for alleged violations. “This is a penalty typically reserved for the worst kinds of public corruption,” Trantalis said.
“It’s almost getting to the point of absurdity, the extent to which these representatives in Tallahassee are taking their cultural agenda,” he added. “In reality, we’re just trying to run a city.”
Shunning several demographics in a state that relies on tourism could cause an economic downturn, Trantalis said. Williams-Cox worries that the loss of local government contracts could bankrupt minority and women-owned businesses.
Welch called the legislation “dangerous and undemocratic.” The latest attempt to “demonize” DEI efforts also subverts Florida’s constitutional principle of home rule, he said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning DEI initiatives in public colleges and universities in May 2023. He is also a staunch supporter of the exponentially more vague and sweeping legislation advancing through the legislature.
Welch believes the bills will impede the ability to address community needs, create operational uncertainty, and “weaken the public’s trust in government.” He said significant unintended consequences could impact programs supporting women and religious communities.
Residents of the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) should also take notice, although Welch said it was created to reduce poverty rather than uplift a specific demographic. While he hopes the legislation will not affect a funding mechanism that keeps tax dollars in the community, the city has seen “attempts to preempt our use of CRA dollars in the past, as well.”
“If we’re not able to continue to use small, minority, and women-owned businesses for CRA projects, then there will be an economic impact,” Williams-Cox added.
Tallahassee Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox. Photo: City of Tallahassee.
The legislation, if signed into law, would take effect in June 2027. Welch said he would look at every option, including litigation, to mitigate the impacts.
He refuses to accept “this new version of DEI as being discriminatory and prejudiced.” Welch and Williams-Cox noted that their cities have conducted exhaustive structural racism studies that highlight the need for socioeconomic equity.
“I don’t think anyone sent a legislator to Tallahassee to kill DEI – I just don’t believe that,” Williams-Cox said. “Now what I do blame residents for is not keeping up, because everybody’s busy living their life.”
While time is running out, she encourages residents to “check your folk, and let them know what they’re doing is harming you.” Welch pledged that he would continue to “stand firmly in the defense of local self-governance and the right of our residents to shape our own futures.”
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Students and young adults participate in a Powerful Young Adults Inc. program session in Clearwater’s North Greenwood community. The organization provides mentorship, job training, and career development opportunities for youth and transitioning adults across the Tampa Bay region. Since 2005, the program has helped hundreds of participants build skills and pursue meaningful career pathways. Image retrieved from PYA Inc website.
In Clearwater’s North Greenwood community, opportunity is taking flight in a way few could have imagined two decades ago.
Since 2005, Powerful Young Adults Inc. has worked to equip at-risk and underserved youth with mentorship, job training, and access to real career pathways. What began as a community-driven effort to support young adults has grown into a pipeline that has helped more than 800 participants across Clearwater and Tampa Bay step into meaningful careers. Today, its alumni include doctors, nurses, lawyers, fraud investigators, HR analysts, business owners, and community leaders who once sat in the same classrooms the organization now fills.
Now, that mission is expanding skyward.
Through its Skymaster Drone and Flight Program, Powerful Young Adults Inc. is combining artificial intelligence training, aviation fundamentals, and workforce development to prepare young people and transitioning adults for careers in emerging industries. Meeting at the North Greenwood Aquatic Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the program serves youth ages 14 to 25 and adults up to age 35, including military veterans from across the Tampa Bay region who are transitioning into civilian careers.
This initiative is hands-on STEM education where participants train under a licensed pilot using DJI drones and professional-grade flight simulators. The program’s aviation and drone instruction is led by Earl Johnson, who works closely with students as they build both technical skills and confidence in real flight environments. Participants earn their FAA Recreational Drone Certificate and have the opportunity to prepare for and take the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam, allowing them to operate drones commercially.
Katrina George, program director, says the decision to expand the Skymaster Program into aviation and artificial intelligence was shaped by her own experience growing up in Clearwater’s North Greenwood community.
“I understood what it felt like to see opportunity but not have access,” George said. “Aviation, drone systems, and artificial intelligence offer career pathways that are scalable and not limited by geography. By introducing students to drone certification, flight simulation, aviation fundamentals, and AI literacy, we are preparing them not only for current workforce needs but for the next generation of aerospace innovation.”
FAA Part 107 certification opens the door to industries that are rapidly growing and increasingly reliant on drone technology. Construction firms use drones for site mapping. Real estate professionals rely on aerial imaging. Agriculture, infrastructure maintenance, law enforcement, and public safety agencies are also expanding their use of unmanned aircraft systems. Entry-level aviation-related careers can range from 50,000 to 80,000 dollars annually, creating tangible economic mobility for participants.
While last year’s STEM programming emphasized AI training and computer coding, Powerful Young Adults Inc. has consistently provided job readiness preparation, resume development, and direct employment connections through its Career Expo initiatives. Recently, the organization assisted four students with employment placement. Three secured positions with Publix, and one began working with Home Depot.
George states the program is designed to ensure students leave with skills that translate into real opportunity.
“Economic empowerment means that students leave the program with skills that translate into real opportunity and income potential,” George said. “Students gain hands-on drone flight experience using DJI equipment and learn how to use artificial intelligence responsibly for business planning, academic advancement, and technical research. These tools give them a competitive advantage in both school and entrepreneurship.”
The next Youth Career Expo and Job Fair is scheduled for June 6, with the location to be announced. The event will offer resume writing support and connect youth and job seekers directly with Clearwater area employers.
For many, programs like Skymaster offer access, and in North Greenwood, where generational opportunity gaps have shaped outcomes for decades, exposure to AI technology, aviation instruction, and FAA certification pathways proposes a new narrative. It signals that young people from this community can compete in advanced industries and build sustainable careers without leaving home.
“Most importantly, I want students to understand that they have the opportunity to overcome any obstacle and become anything they choose to pursue,” George said. “In aviation, we often say the sky is the limit. In this program, we teach them that the sky is truly the beginning.”
Enrollment for the current Skymaster session remains open through March 14. The next session will begin on August 29. (Maybe subject to change). Students and transitioning adults across Tampa Bay interested in drone certification, flight simulation training, AI literacy, and workforce development are encouraged to inquire while space remains available. For Powerful Young Adults Inc., the program reflects a continued commitment to ensuring young people in North Greenwood have access to the industries shaping tomorrow’s workforce.
Through its Skymaster Drone and Flight Program, Powerful Young Adults Inc. is combining artificial intelligence training, aviation fundamentals, and workforce development to prepare young people and transitioning adults for careers in emerging industries.
Instructor Earl Johnson guides a student through the fundamentals of drone flight during a Skymaster Program training session at the North Greenwood Aquatic Center in Clearwater. Participants receive hands-on instruction using industry-standard DJI drones while learning the principles of safe and responsible flight. The program introduces youth and transitioning adults to aviation concepts while preparing them for FAA drone certification and future career opportunities. Image retrieved from PYA Inc 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.powerbrokermagazine.com; and to join our online conversation, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Power Broker Media Group – YouTube.
