Developer and philanthropist Bill Edwards' 15-year tenure running the Mahaffey Theater will conclude in May, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: It marks the end of an era during which Edwards poured millions of dollars of his own money into revamping the city-owned venue and its programming.

• It also spells uncertainty for the future of St. Petersburg's downtown performing arts center, which has a backlog of repairs and a long-overdue renovation looming.
• City officials were underwhelmed by the sole pitch they received to take over management from Edwards, despite the proposal's backing from big names in entertainment like Vinik Sports Group and Live Nation.

Flashback: With his contract to run the Mahaffey originally expiring this September, Edwards and the city began extension negotiations last year, according to a November City Council presentation

• City leaders felt Edwards was doing a good job, but the parties couldn't agree on the financial terms, city development administration and finance managing director Beth Herendeen said.
• Officials decided to put the management services out to bid in December, with a deadline of Feb. 26.

The intrigue: The request yielded one response — and it wasn't from Edwards. In fact, he opted to terminate the contract early. It's currently slated to expire May 10, the city said.

• Edwards did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

State of play: City officials met Wednesday to evaluate the lone proposal, from the St. Petersburg Group, a local firm helmed by St. Pete Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton.

• Hamilton and partners Vinik Sports Group, Live Nation and venue management firm Oak View Group pitched a vision including new programming and expanded uses for the theater.
• "It's actually a true all-star team," Hamilton told Axios.

Yes, but: City staffers were less moved, finding the proposal vague.

• Herendeen also expressed "significant concern" over reports that Hamilton had told community members his pitch was "on lock" and that he had visited the Mahaffey to start sketching out potential changes.
• The evaluation committee ultimately decided to send Hamilton a list of clarification questions.

The other side: Hamilton, who attended the meeting, told Axios that he didn't recall saying his pitch was "on lock" but emphasized that he was the only respondent to the city's request for proposals.

• He didn't see an issue with visiting the theater, pointing to his longstanding friendship with Edwards and the tight timeline for the city.

What they're saying: "I thought we could be heroes and get the group aligned and take over to alleviate that problem for the city," Hamilton said.

• "We look forward to answering [the city's questions]," he said, "and I think people will be happy with the answers."

What's next: Until it finds a new management company, the city will run the theater as it did for decades until it went under private management in 2005, a spokesperson told Axios.

Spread the word

The Legislature has passed a slew of bills slowing down e-bikers, mandating new voter ID rules and allowing trained college staff to carry guns on campus.

The big picture: If signed into law, the bills could impact every corner of Tampa Bay, from the street to the ballot box.

Zoom in: Here are some of the bills Gov. Ron DeSantis will consider.

Voter ID changes: If signed into law, Floridians would have to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote.

• Under the bill, which has already received support from DeSantis, existing voters would have their citizenship checked against government databases.
• It would also prohibit the use of student IDs and retirement center IDs as forms of identification when voting.

Armed college staff: A bill allowing professors and campus staff at state colleges to train as "guardians" and carry guns is modeled after the K-12 guardian program, passed after the 2018 Parkland school shooting, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

• If a college opts into the program, guardians would undergo training, a psychological evaluation and random drug tests, per the Sentinel.
• DeSantis supports the bill, and his budget proposal included $6 million to implement the program.

E-bike safety: Riders can't go faster than 10 mph when within 50 feet of a pedestrian under Senate Bill 382, which also creates a task force to track incidents and recommend further regulations, per USA TODAY Network-Florida.

• E-bikes are considered bicycles under Florida law and can be ridden on sidewalks, unless restricted by a city, per the outlet.

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☘️ A Beef 'O' Brady's will replace the Applebee's that abruptly closed in St. Pete's Tyrone area last summer. It'll open on St. Patrick's Day. (Tampa Bay Times)

💧 St. Pete will begin dredging Bartlett Lake this week as the first step in a $30 million drainage project to help prevent flooding in surrounding neighborhoods. (Bay News 9)

🤑 Text messages mocking fans buying VIP tickets for a show at Tampa's MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre surfaced in an antitrust trial against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster. (Times)

• A Live Nation employee wrote the ticket prices were "outrageous" and that "these people are so stupid."

Outdoor recreation contributed 3.8% of Florida's GDP in 2024, according to new U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data.

• That's in current dollars and is equivalent to nearly 65 billion.

The big picture: The Sunshine State remains a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts — and its natural playgrounds pump billions of dollars into the state's economy each year.

• We're home to 175 state parks (including 100 miles of beaches) and three national parks (Biscayne, Dry Tortugas and the Everglades).

💸 Follow the money: Florida ranks second in the nation for total value added from the great outdoors, behind California.

• We're a premier spot in the U.S. for boating and fishing, which generated $4.4 billion here — the largest sum nationwide. Hunting brought in around $974 million.
• Our recreation industry and related tourism also contributed over 508,000 full- and part-time jobs, or 4.9% of total employment last year.

🎉 1 big thing: For five years, Axios has delivered smart, trustworthy local news to communities like yours — and we're just getting started.

Why it matters: Memberships sustain the journalism you rely on and help us keep delivering strong, independent reporting focused on what matters most.

• Your newsletter helps you stay informed and connected. Help us power the next five years of Axios Tampa Bay by becoming a member today.

👋 Kathryn here. Another excellent no-frills dive in St. Pete kicked the keg last week.

• TapHouse 61, I'll miss your Free Dive Fridays and Jesse, the nicest bartender in the Sunshine City. I only wish I had gotten to say goodbye.

Side note: Am I cursed?