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All the ways the Rays stadium deal can still fail

If St. Petersburg is any indication, Tampa's far from done.

Sports

The clerk tallied the vote. The yeses carried it. And against all odds, after years of disagreements and near-misses, a deal to build a new ballpark for the Rays and keep baseball in the region for years to come was, at last, reached.<ul><li>The council was St. Petersburg&#x27;s, the year was 2024, and the deal fell apart by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the following spring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/rays-back-out-stadium-deal-historic-gas-plant-district" data-vars-content-id="7fcbb636-8473-45ad-9f91-f5b37c3cd7ab" data-vars-headline="All the ways the Rays stadium deal can still fail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/rays-back-out-stadium-deal-historic-gas-plant-district" target="_self">the following spring</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: The Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Commission last month <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signed off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/28/hillsborough-approves-stadium-deal-rays-tampa-future" data-vars-content-id="7fcbb636-8473-45ad-9f91-f5b37c3cd7ab" data-vars-headline="All the ways the Rays stadium deal can still fail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/28/hillsborough-approves-stadium-deal-rays-tampa-future" target="_self">signed off</a> on the region&#x27;s largest commitment to a sports stadium, a feat that seemed impossible only weeks ago.

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News

Try your hand at our news quiz!Why it matters: Email us a screenshot of your perfect score to tampa@axios.com, and you could get a shout-out in a future newsletter.

Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for "AI slop"

Small businesses say AI saves time and money. Critics say the generic images come at a cost.

It&#x27;s a debate so prolific that even our unusually vocal airport <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weighed in" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/FlyTPA/posts/pfbid02ueoedz83x5jVKmKZeQ32vBTMgHzAep1AgcNiAkDLQHUQmo71eWrE7BLbirE6pFRdl" data-vars-content-id="1aea7e87-8bd7-4518-8260-a6410bae4b15" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for &quot;AI slop&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/FlyTPA/posts/pfbid02ueoedz83x5jVKmKZeQ32vBTMgHzAep1AgcNiAkDLQHUQmo71eWrE7BLbirE6pFRdl" target="_blank">weighed in</a>: What do we do about the AI flyers?Why it matters: From local breweries and markets to your friendly neighborhood landscaper, posters made with generative AI are clogging up social media.<ul><li>And <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the backlash is real" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/generative-ai-accusations-hank-green-jerry-falade" data-vars-content-id="1aea7e87-8bd7-4518-8260-a6410bae4b15" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for &quot;AI slop&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/generative-ai-accusations-hank-green-jerry-falade" target="_self">the backlash is real</a>: in comment sections, in Reddit threads, and in the feeds of other organizations that broadcast — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="using more primitive methods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdEuXOjFrvE/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="1aea7e87-8bd7-4518-8260-a6410bae4b15" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for &quot;AI slop&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdEuXOjFrvE/?img_index=1" target="_blank">using more primitive methods</a> — that they&#x27;ll never resort to AI images.</li></ul>

Tampa Bay is having its Detroit-style pizza moment

Tampa Bay now has more places than ever to try the Motor City delicacy.

Food and Drink

A decade ago, an ex introduced me to Detroit-style pizza, and life has never been the same.Flashback: Biting into that first slice from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jet&#x27;s Pizza" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jetspizza.com/" data-vars-content-id="e080b797-a595-46d6-a322-d56a2e77b6d4" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay is having its Detroit-style pizza moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jetspizza.com/" target="_blank">Jet&#x27;s Pizza</a> was heavenly. The thick, fluffy center leading out to the crunchy, crispy, caramelized-cheesy edge.<ul><li>And the corners … the corners.</li></ul>

Hillsborough approves stadium deal, clearing path for Rays' Tampa future

The deal represents the largest commitment of taxpayer dollars to a sports stadium in the region's history.

The Hillsborough County Commission signed off on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$2.3 billion stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="cd581647-bf90-424b-a46d-7185fb737e6e" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough approves stadium deal, clearing path for Rays&#x27; Tampa future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">$2.3 billion stadium</a> for the Rays at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough College" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="cd581647-bf90-424b-a46d-7185fb737e6e" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough approves stadium deal, clearing path for Rays&#x27; Tampa future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" target="_self">Hillsborough College</a>. Why it matters: The deal represents the largest commitment of taxpayer dollars to a sports stadium in the region&#x27;s history.

Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal

The Tampa City Council gave the Rays its stamp of approval for a $2.3 billion stadium.

Development

The Tampa City Council gave the Rays its stamp of approval Thursday for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$2.3 billion stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="c9a0bc22-a111-42b6-b9e0-dc7e79e497cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">$2.3 billion stadium</a> at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough College" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="c9a0bc22-a111-42b6-b9e0-dc7e79e497cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" target="_self">Hillsborough College</a>. Why it matters: It&#x27;s an outcome that seemed unlikely just weeks ago, when council members twice <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="swatted down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/10/rays-advance-stadium-plans-public-approvals-stall" data-vars-content-id="c9a0bc22-a111-42b6-b9e0-dc7e79e497cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa narrowly approves Rays stadium deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/10/rays-advance-stadium-plans-public-approvals-stall" target="_self">swatted down</a> votes on the ballpark.

What to know about Clearwater's fight over Scientology land deal

Resident group Save the Garden is collecting petition signatures to reverse a recent City Council vote.

A group of residents is trying to reverse a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Clearwater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/19/downtown-clearwater-urban-renaissance-scientology" data-vars-content-id="85b662bd-931d-458a-bc71-87627c294645" data-vars-headline="What to know about Clearwater&#x27;s fight over Scientology land deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/19/downtown-clearwater-urban-renaissance-scientology" target="_self">Clearwater</a> City Council vote to give a block of a downtown street to the Church of Scientology to expand its spiritual headquarters. Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest flashpoint in a struggle over Clearwater&#x27;s fraught downtown, where the church and companies tied to it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own around 200 properties" data-vars-click-url="https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/2019/investigations/scientology-clearwater-real-estate/" data-vars-content-id="85b662bd-931d-458a-bc71-87627c294645" data-vars-headline="What to know about Clearwater&#x27;s fight over Scientology land deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://projects.tampabay.com/projects/2019/investigations/scientology-clearwater-real-estate/" target="_blank">own around 200 properties</a>.<ul><li>It&#x27;s also a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cltampa.com/news/scientologys-role-in-clearwaters-future-shapes-the-race-for-city-councils-seat-5/" data-vars-content-id="85b662bd-931d-458a-bc71-87627c294645" data-vars-headline="What to know about Clearwater&#x27;s fight over Scientology land deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cltampa.com/news/scientologys-role-in-clearwaters-future-shapes-the-race-for-city-councils-seat-5/" target="_blank">major issue</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driving the city&#x27;s upcoming elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/06/25/clearwater-city-council-election-south-garden-avenue-scientology/" data-vars-content-id="85b662bd-931d-458a-bc71-87627c294645" data-vars-headline="What to know about Clearwater&#x27;s fight over Scientology land deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/06/25/clearwater-city-council-election-south-garden-avenue-scientology/" target="_blank">driving the city&#x27;s upcoming elections</a>, in which five candidates are competing for two Council seats. </li></ul>

St. Pete voters to decide on property tax to speed infrastructure upgrades

The 2024 hurricane season served as a wake-up call to speed up the projects.

St. Petersburg voters are set to decide this November whether the city can levy an additional tax to help strengthen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="infrastructure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/29/desantis-nixes-tampa-bays-storm-hardening-funds" data-vars-content-id="74aba255-8fb6-4ae6-a504-3463b35de2ba" data-vars-headline="St. Pete voters to decide on property tax to speed infrastructure upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/29/desantis-nixes-tampa-bays-storm-hardening-funds" target="_self">infrastructure</a> against storms.Why it matters: Revenue from the proposed tax would pay back up to $600 million in bonds to finance accelerated improvements to the city&#x27;s drainage, sewer and water systems.<ul><li>The 2024 hurricane season — during which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flooding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/tampa-bay-flooding-recovery-hurricane-milton" data-vars-content-id="74aba255-8fb6-4ae6-a504-3463b35de2ba" data-vars-headline="St. Pete voters to decide on property tax to speed infrastructure upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/tampa-bay-flooding-recovery-hurricane-milton" target="_self">flooding</a> inundated thousands of homes and prompted city leaders to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shut down two of three sewage plants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/09/st-petersburg-sewage-plants-hurricane-milton" data-vars-content-id="74aba255-8fb6-4ae6-a504-3463b35de2ba" data-vars-headline="St. Pete voters to decide on property tax to speed infrastructure upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/09/st-petersburg-sewage-plants-hurricane-milton" target="_self">shut down two of three sewage plants</a> — served as a wake-up call to prioritize the upgrades, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Ken Welch has said" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/17/hurricane-season-preparations-helene-milton" data-vars-content-id="74aba255-8fb6-4ae6-a504-3463b35de2ba" data-vars-headline="St. Pete voters to decide on property tax to speed infrastructure upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/17/hurricane-season-preparations-helene-milton" target="_self">Mayor Ken Welch has said</a>.</li></ul>

Rays unveil more stadium district renderings as funding questions loom

It's the latest push by team leaders to hype up the plan as Tampa officials waver.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay Rays" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="a73e38e6-1ff6-4998-a5ba-adfaed4137c7" data-vars-headline="Rays unveil more stadium district renderings as funding questions loom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">Tampa Bay Rays</a> released renderings showing what office space could like in the team&#x27;s proposed stadium district in Tampa.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest push by team leaders to hype up the plan as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa officials waver on their support" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/10/rays-advance-stadium-plans-public-approvals-stall" data-vars-content-id="a73e38e6-1ff6-4998-a5ba-adfaed4137c7" data-vars-headline="Rays unveil more stadium district renderings as funding questions loom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/10/rays-advance-stadium-plans-public-approvals-stall" target="_self">Tampa officials waver on their support</a> to help fund the project.<ul><li>The team is working with Hillsborough County officials on ways to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="finance the project without city funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/07/15/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-ken-hagan-tampa-hillsborough/" data-vars-content-id="a73e38e6-1ff6-4998-a5ba-adfaed4137c7" data-vars-headline="Rays unveil more stadium district renderings as funding questions loom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/2026/07/15/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-ken-hagan-tampa-hillsborough/" target="_blank">finance the project without city funding</a>. </li></ul>

Downtown Largo's hottest destination is ... City Hall?

Well, kind of. The ambitions for Horizon West Bay go far beyond government service.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Downtown Largo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/05/largo-things-to-do-eat-drink-bars" data-vars-content-id="a0a7c753-354e-4d80-bebb-5912db9efb59" data-vars-headline="Downtown Largo&#x27;s hottest destination is ... City Hall?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/05/largo-things-to-do-eat-drink-bars" target="_self">Downtown Largo</a>&#x27;s hot new development isn&#x27;t a buzzy restaurant, nor is it a brewery or concert venue. <ul><li>It&#x27;s Horizon West Bay, a five-story, 87,000-square-foot government complex anchored by City Hall.</li></ul>Why it matters: The $85 million project replaces the city&#x27;s aging, flood-vulnerable headquarters off Highland Avenue — but the ambitions for Horizon West Bay go far beyond government service.<ul><li>Ground-floor retail space and a courtyard with a stage are part of a novel plan to help activate a downtown corridor that&#x27;s never quite taken off.</li></ul>

Inside St. Pete mayor's reported Tropicana Field redevelopment picks

An announcement is scheduled for Thursday morning.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch selected Blake Investment Partners to redevelop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropicana Field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/01/st-petersburg-historic-gas-plant-whats-next-ken-welch" data-vars-content-id="dc06d623-97dd-4031-876a-2ecc59e1c24d" data-vars-headline="Inside St. Pete mayor&#x27;s reported Tropicana Field redevelopment picks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/01/st-petersburg-historic-gas-plant-whats-next-ken-welch" target="_self">Tropicana Field</a>, several news outlets reported.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a major step forward for the city&#x27;s most consequential piece of land and for Welch&#x27;s campaign promise to remake the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Historic Gas Plant District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/10/razed-documentary-gas-plant-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="dc06d623-97dd-4031-876a-2ecc59e1c24d" data-vars-headline="Inside St. Pete mayor&#x27;s reported Tropicana Field redevelopment picks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/10/razed-documentary-gas-plant-st-petersburg" target="_self">Historic Gas Plant District</a>.<ul><li>But the issue is far from settled. Any plans are subject to City Council approval, and the results of the upcoming mayoral election could upend the process. </li></ul>

City to discuss Scientology's role in Clearwater's "urban renaissance"

It's hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater.

For the first time in recent memory, it&#x27;s hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater. Why it matters: City officials have dubbed this moment an &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban renaissance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" target="_blank">urban renaissance</a>,&quot; but questions about the Church of Scientology&#x27;s role in the momentum prompted City Council members to schedule a special meeting next week, according to recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" target="_blank">news</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Inside Tampa Theatre's $30 million restoration

The storied Duncan Auditorium has been closed for construction since March.

On a reporting trip this week, we got to touch the sky.<ul><li>Well, sort of. </li></ul>Why it matters: We experienced the closest thing to it here in Tampa during a tour of the century-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Theatre" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/tampa-theatre-oscar-nominated-nickel-boys-qa" data-vars-content-id="df9fb74c-4f86-494e-9661-0d45bf2de704" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa Theatre&#x27;s $30 million restoration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/tampa-theatre-oscar-nominated-nickel-boys-qa" target="_self">Tampa Theatre</a> about two months into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$30 million renovation project" data-vars-click-url="https://tampatheatre.org/join-give/second-century/" data-vars-content-id="df9fb74c-4f86-494e-9661-0d45bf2de704" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa Theatre&#x27;s $30 million restoration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tampatheatre.org/join-give/second-century/" target="_blank">$30 million renovation project</a>.

St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner

Supporters see more housing and walkability ahead, while critics fear neighborhood spillover.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/01/st-pete-mahaffey-theater-bid-rejected-new-rfp" data-vars-content-id="8e318817-9a3f-40df-8ae9-35bc3784cad6" data-vars-headline="St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/01/st-pete-mahaffey-theater-bid-rejected-new-rfp" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> City Council members are set to decide Thursday whether to remove minimum parking requirements for new residences and businesses near SunRunner stations and along much of Central Avenue.Why it matters: Proponents and transit advocates say the changes will encourage use of the bus-rapid transit system and spark denser development, creating more walkable communities and driving down housing prices.<ul><li>Opponents worry that parking will spill into neighborhoods like Historic Kenwood and that more density could change the character of the Grand Central District and its historic buildings.</li></ul>

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