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Florida migration boom fades as rising costs push residents out

That's the sobering state of play detailed in a recent Wall Street Journal article.

News

At the same time <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/23/what-to-know-about-floridas-snap-changes" data-vars-content-id="2515fec1-523c-4748-bbd4-d4c191d71459" data-vars-headline="Florida migration boom fades as rising costs push residents out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/23/what-to-know-about-floridas-snap-changes" target="_self">Florida&#x27;s</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic-era sunshine rush" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/22/state-list-florida-fastest-growing-census" data-vars-content-id="2515fec1-523c-4748-bbd4-d4c191d71459" data-vars-headline="Florida migration boom fades as rising costs push residents out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/22/state-list-florida-fastest-growing-census" target="_self">pandemic-era sunshine rush</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="slowed to a trickle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/12/fewer-americans-move-florida-2025" data-vars-content-id="2515fec1-523c-4748-bbd4-d4c191d71459" data-vars-headline="Florida migration boom fades as rising costs push residents out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/12/fewer-americans-move-florida-2025" target="_self">slowed to a trickle</a>, affordability concerns pushed working-age residents to relocate.Why it matters: That&#x27;s the sobering state of play detailed in a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wall Street Journal article" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/economy/floridas-population-boom-fizzles-as-high-costs-drive-away-middle-class-fbc6a345" data-vars-content-id="2515fec1-523c-4748-bbd4-d4c191d71459" data-vars-headline="Florida migration boom fades as rising costs push residents out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/floridas-population-boom-fizzles-as-high-costs-drive-away-middle-class-fbc6a345" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal article</a> digging into the Sunshine State&#x27;s changing migration patterns.

Florida House snubs DeSantis again, punting AI and vaccine bills

DeSantis' once formidable clout in the state has all but evaporated.

On the opening day of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida&#x27;s special session" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/desantis-florida-redistricting-gop-house" data-vars-content-id="67d3ae49-1552-4ba0-8fe6-f4174785f2d5" data-vars-headline="Florida House snubs DeSantis again, punting AI and vaccine bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/desantis-florida-redistricting-gop-house" target="_self">Florida&#x27;s special session</a>, the House brushed aside two of Gov. Ron DeSantis&#x27; priorities — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bills to regulate AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/inside-floridas-push-to-regulate-ai" data-vars-content-id="67d3ae49-1552-4ba0-8fe6-f4174785f2d5" data-vars-headline="Florida House snubs DeSantis again, punting AI and vaccine bills" 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/inside-floridas-push-to-regulate-ai" target="_self">bills to regulate AI</a> and eliminate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine mandates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/09/03/florida-ends-vaccine-mandates-schools-joseph-ladapo" data-vars-content-id="67d3ae49-1552-4ba0-8fe6-f4174785f2d5" data-vars-headline="Florida House snubs DeSantis again, punting AI and vaccine bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/09/03/florida-ends-vaccine-mandates-schools-joseph-ladapo" target="_self">vaccine mandates</a> for schoolchildren.Why it matters: DeSantis&#x27; tenure as governor is nearing its end, and his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once formidable clout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/07/desantis-scandal-charity-florida" data-vars-content-id="67d3ae49-1552-4ba0-8fe6-f4174785f2d5" data-vars-headline="Florida House snubs DeSantis again, punting AI and vaccine bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/07/desantis-scandal-charity-florida" target="_self">once formidable clout</a> in the state has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all but evaporated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/01/23/whats-next-ron-desantis-2024-election-florida" data-vars-content-id="67d3ae49-1552-4ba0-8fe6-f4174785f2d5" data-vars-headline="Florida House snubs DeSantis again, punting AI and vaccine bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/01/23/whats-next-ron-desantis-2024-election-florida" target="_self">all but evaporated</a>, with lawmakers now treating his priorities as suggestions at best, if not <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ignoring them outright" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/florida-legislature-2026-bills-update" data-vars-content-id="67d3ae49-1552-4ba0-8fe6-f4174785f2d5" data-vars-headline="Florida House snubs DeSantis again, punting AI and vaccine bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/florida-legislature-2026-bills-update" target="_self">ignoring them outright</a>.

Florida AG probes ChatGPT's role in USF student killings

The man accused in the case allegedly consulted the chatbot in the days before the students went missing, court records show.

Technology

Florida&#x27;s top cop said Monday his office will investigate the alleged role of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/chatgpt-openai-mental-health-teens" data-vars-content-id="1e09ef60-20e5-4c52-8303-21e4f0bca2bd" data-vars-headline="Florida AG probes ChatGPT&#x27;s role in USF student killings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/chatgpt-openai-mental-health-teens" target="_self">ChatGPT</a> in the slayings of two University of South Florida students.The big picture: The accused killer&#x27;s alleged use of the OpenAI chatbot, outlined in court records, is the latest flashpoint in a debate over to what extent AI companies should be held accountable for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="how their tools are used" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/chatgpt-openai-mental-health-teens" data-vars-content-id="1e09ef60-20e5-4c52-8303-21e4f0bca2bd" data-vars-headline="Florida AG probes ChatGPT&#x27;s role in USF student killings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/chatgpt-openai-mental-health-teens" target="_self">how their tools are used</a>.<ul><li>Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launched a probe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/florida-ag-launches-investigation-openai" data-vars-content-id="1e09ef60-20e5-4c52-8303-21e4f0bca2bd" data-vars-headline="Florida AG probes ChatGPT&#x27;s role in USF student killings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/09/florida-ag-launches-investigation-openai" target="_self">launched a probe</a> into OpenAI this month, citing in part ChatGPT&#x27;s alleged role in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mass shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/17/florida-state-university-shooting-tallahassee" data-vars-content-id="1e09ef60-20e5-4c52-8303-21e4f0bca2bd" data-vars-headline="Florida AG probes ChatGPT&#x27;s role in USF student killings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/17/florida-state-university-shooting-tallahassee" target="_self">mass shooting</a> last year at Florida State University.</li></ul>

Demolition underway at St. Pete's pink buildings

A 29-story luxury condo tower is set to rise in their place.

Demolition is underway at downtown St. Petersburg&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pink buildings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/17/st-pete-pink-buildings-downtown-roche-bobois-condo-tower" data-vars-content-id="1208534b-19b7-456e-a474-a78fd227e089" data-vars-headline="Demolition underway at St. Pete&#x27;s pink buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/17/st-pete-pink-buildings-downtown-roche-bobois-condo-tower" target="_self">pink buildings</a>.Why it matters: A 29-story luxury condo tower is set to rise in their place.

What should replace Tropicana Field? St. Pete wants your input

The meeting gives residents a chance to vet the pitches to redevelop the site of Tropicana Field.

St. Petersburg leaders will host an open house next Thursday on the future of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Historic Gas Plant District" 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="7baf4fd9-781e-4f2a-8eef-c65a3eb9afa9" data-vars-headline="What should replace Tropicana Field? St. Pete wants your input" 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">Historic Gas Plant District</a>.Why it matters: The meeting gives residents a chance to vet the pitches to redevelop the site of Tropicana Field.

What's next for St. Pete's Historic Gas Plant proposals

Mayor Welch's push comes after a majority of Council members urged him to pump the brakes.

St. Petersburg&#x27;s process for selecting a plan to redevelop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropicana Field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/03/st-petersburg-gas-plant-proposals" data-vars-content-id="c87051e2-ed89-4e88-a557-9d25d02196e4" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Gas Plant proposals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/03/st-petersburg-gas-plant-proposals" target="_self">Tropicana Field</a> is underway.Why it matters: Whichever developer the city picks will play a major role in the future of the Historic Gas Plant District, 86 acres of downtown real estate named after the Black neighborhood displaced by the ballpark. <ul><li>It will also speak to the legacy of Mayor Ken Welch, who has made the redevelopment central to his agenda and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://kenwelch.com/progress/" data-vars-content-id="c87051e2-ed89-4e88-a557-9d25d02196e4" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Gas Plant proposals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kenwelch.com/progress/" target="_blank">campaign</a> for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a second term" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/02/02/st-petersburg-mayor-race-ken-welch-files-reelection/" data-vars-content-id="c87051e2-ed89-4e88-a557-9d25d02196e4" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Gas Plant proposals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2026/02/02/st-petersburg-mayor-race-ken-welch-files-reelection/" target="_blank">a second term</a>.</li></ul>

St. Pete council, residents don't want new high-rise. It's coming anyway

Even with majority opposition, City Council lacked the votes to block the high-rise.

Another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury high-rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" target="_self">luxury high-rise</a> is coming to downtown St. Petersburg.Why it matters: Thursday&#x27;s hours-long City Council debate over the project laid bare angst over the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifting identity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">shifting identity</a> — and raised questions about how much influence residents and policymakers have in shaping it.<ul><li>&quot;You have a problem when everybody is acknowledging this is not what we want to build, and yet we&#x27;re somehow powerless to stop it,&quot; Preserve the &#x27;Burg executive director Manny Leto told Axios.</li></ul>

What's going up in Tampa: Penthouses, waterfront townhomes, vision center

Tampa's on the upswing, and so is its skyline.

Development

Tampa&#x27;s on the upswing, and so is its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/30/water-street-tampa-new-towers-renderings" data-vars-content-id="8ae42618-6797-4a89-a6e8-f2c6f27954b8" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s going up in Tampa: Penthouses, waterfront townhomes, vision center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/30/water-street-tampa-new-towers-renderings" target="_self">skyline</a>.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s the latest in development news across the city.</li></ul>

St. Petersburg's Williams Park set for revamp

Upgrades to the bandshell, facilities and programming aim to revive the city's oldest park.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="19e8cc64-8186-42f9-898b-be348eaa7ba5" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg&#x27;s Williams Park set for revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a>&#x27;s oldest park is on the verge of a revamp.Why it matters: It&#x27;s long overdue for Williams Park, which spans a city block in the heart of downtown and serves as a venue for events like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Localtopia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/20/things-to-do-weekend-tampa-bay-localtopia" data-vars-content-id="19e8cc64-8186-42f9-898b-be348eaa7ba5" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg&#x27;s Williams Park set for revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/20/things-to-do-weekend-tampa-bay-localtopia" target="_self">Localtopia</a> and, during the summer, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saturday Morning Market" data-vars-click-url="https://saturdaymorningmarket.com/" data-vars-content-id="19e8cc64-8186-42f9-898b-be348eaa7ba5" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg&#x27;s Williams Park set for revamp" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://saturdaymorningmarket.com/" target="_blank">Saturday Morning Market</a>.

St. Pete's luxury-fueled identity crisis

From a $30K lounge to a possible Four Seasons, wealth is transforming the city.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/04/21/wayward-goose-st-petersburg-closing" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> City Council member Richie Floyd&#x27;s jaw hit the floor when he <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="read" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2026/02/21/st-pete-food-hall-kojo-bar-hanna-central-park/" target="_blank">read</a> how much it&#x27;ll cost to join a members-only lounge coming soon to downtown&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Central Park food hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/06/new-restaurants-2026-tampa-st-pete" target="_self">Central Park food hall</a>.<ul><li>For Tampa Bay&#x27;s once-gritty <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city of the arts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2026/02/24/is-st-pete-still-city-arts-column/" target="_blank">city of the arts</a>, where many residents are struggling with rising costs, $30,000 is a jarring figure. Yet, the co-owner told Axios he&#x27;s been flooded with interest.</li><li>&quot;We actually can&#x27;t keep up,&quot; said Mark Levey, who recently moved from Tampa to a condo on the 28th floor of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Residences at 400 Central" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/03/inside-400-central-st-petersburg" target="_self">The Residences at 400 Central</a>, St. Pete&#x27;s newest luxury high-rise.</li></ul>Why it matters: The project is one of several that signal a burgeoning movement toward luxury and exclusivity intensified by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic-induced influx of new residents" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" data-vars-content-id="4e33dd72-a0e2-4e5e-98e6-c9ad996b8f6c" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s luxury-fueled identity crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/19/florida-population-income-moving-migration" target="_self">pandemic-induced influx of new residents</a> — and wealth.

Florida senator's proposal could hinder Manatee cruise port

The proposal would restrict dredging in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

A Florida lawmaker filed legislation to bolster environmental protections of the waters around the site of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed cruise port" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/28/skyway-cruise-port-rattlesnake-key-manatee-county" data-vars-content-id="d0c025ad-33a6-4f97-b27c-8fceff608b91" data-vars-headline="Florida senator&#x27;s proposal could hinder Manatee cruise port" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/28/skyway-cruise-port-rattlesnake-key-manatee-county" target="_self">proposed cruise port</a> in Manatee County.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/302/Amendment/117522/PDF" data-vars-content-id="d0c025ad-33a6-4f97-b27c-8fceff608b91" data-vars-headline="Florida senator&#x27;s proposal could hinder Manatee cruise port" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/302/Amendment/117522/PDF" target="_blank">proposal</a>, filed Wednesday afternoon by Bradenton Sen. Jim Boyd, could derail plans for the contentious port project, which is planned for a tract of land near the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

St. Pete's pink buildings tease 29-story luxury condo tower

The vacant buildings will be demolished as early as next month for the 164-unit high-rise.

Downtown <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/st-petersburg-gas-plant-district-ken-welch-brandi-gabbard" data-vars-content-id="b17d9b27-3d87-4d13-8215-583ef71aa071" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s pink buildings tease 29-story luxury condo tower" 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/st-petersburg-gas-plant-district-ken-welch-brandi-gabbard" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> got a big pop of color over the weekend. Why it matters: The pink paint job on several vacant buildings at Fourth Avenue South and Fourth Street South is meant to promote a luxury condo tower planned for the block, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Tampa Bay Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/real-estate/2026/02/17/whats-up-with-those-bright-pink-buildings-downtown-st-petersburg/" data-vars-content-id="b17d9b27-3d87-4d13-8215-583ef71aa071" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s pink buildings tease 29-story luxury condo tower" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/real-estate/2026/02/17/whats-up-with-those-bright-pink-buildings-downtown-st-petersburg/" target="_blank">per the Tampa Bay Times</a>.

St. Petersburg draws nine proposals for Historic Gas Plant development

The race to redevelop the land was set in motion last year.

Nine developers are vying for a chance to leave their mark on one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/22/st-pete-tropicana-field-gas-plant-proposals" data-vars-content-id="cbbcc06d-cd01-4be3-931a-45c6048ddb3d" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg draws nine proposals for Historic Gas Plant development" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/22/st-pete-tropicana-field-gas-plant-proposals" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a>&#x27;s most consequential projects.

Development 🏗️

Demolition underway at St. Pete's pink buildings

What should replace Tropicana Field? St. Pete wants your input

What's next for St. Pete's Historic Gas Plant proposals

St. Pete council, residents don't want new high-rise. It's coming anyway

What's going up in Tampa: Penthouses, waterfront townhomes, vision center